Page 155 of Promising You
“I will.”
He gets his wallet out and takes out four twenty dollar bills. “Here. Take this.”
“I’m not taking your money, Garret.”
“You’ll need it for the trip.”
“Carson said I didn’t owe him gas money. His dad’s paying for it.”
“You still need money for food and drinks and whatever you else want. Just take it.” He holds the bills out in front of me.
I take one of the bills. “I don’t need $80. Twenty is fine.”
“That’s not enough for two trips, there and back. You’ll be stopping at gas stations and they jack the price up on stuff. Trust me. You’ll want the $80.”
“Okay, but I’m giving you whatever’s left when I get back.”
He rolls his eyes. “You’re keeping it. I swear, Jade, you drive me crazy with this money thing.”
I take the remaining bills and put them in my empty wallet, then go back over to him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
We kiss just as Carson starts knocking on my door. “Jade, it’s me.”
Garret sighs as I pull away. “It’s me? Seriously? Tell him you’re not on the ‘it’s me’ level.”
“Don’t start.” I kiss him quick, then go to answer the door.
“Hey, Carson. I’m ready to go. Are you parked out front?”
“Actually I parked by the side door so you wouldn’t have to walk so far on the crutches.”
“I’m trying not to use them anymore. My knee feels a lot better.”
Garret picks up my crutches. “You’re still bringing them, just in case.”
“Let me take your suitcase.” Carson steps inside my room to get it but Garret blocks his way.
“I’ll take it,” he says, glaring at Carson.
“Whatever, man.” He turns back to me. “Jade, after you.”
Carson waits for me to go, then follows me out as Garret walks behind us with my stuff. We load up the Jeep, then Carson holds the passenger door open for me.
Garret goes up to him. “I’d like to say goodbye to my girlfriend.”
Carson doesn’t even look at Garret as he shuts the door. “I’ll wait in the car, Jade.”
Garret and I move off to the side, away from the Jeep.
“It’s just a week,” I remind him. “A week is nothing.”
“A week seemed like a month last time.” He rubs my arm.
I sigh. “I know. This is really gonna suck, isn’t it?”
“It won’t suck for you. You’ll be out doing stuff with Ryan and Frank. It’ll suck for me being trapped at the house for a week.”
