Page 184 of Promising You
He puts Garret in the car, shuts the door, and walks to the driver’s side.
“Why are you doing this?” I scream it at him, but he pays no attention as he gets in the car.
There’s a clicking sound as the doors lock, followed by the sound of the engine starting up. As Pearce backs up, I see Garret leaned against the window, his eyes now closed.
The car speeds off down the road.
And Garret is gone.
I think I might be hyperventilating. I can’t seem to get enough air in my lungs. My legs don’t want to move, but I manage to make it back to my room.
My phone rings and I practically rip the pocket of my jeans getting it out. I don’t know why I’m racing to answer it. It’s not like Garret’s calling me. “Hello?”
“Hey, Jade. It’s Harper.” Her voice sounds so happy I almost can’t stand to listen to it. I’m sure she’s having a great time with Sean, a normal guy who probably has a normal family who will never force him to break up with Harper. “Sorry I couldn’t call sooner, but Sean and I had to go to this party last night with my parents. Anyway, are you back at school yet?”
“Yeah, I’m back.”
She keeps talking but it all sounds mumbled. I can’t concentrate on anything she’s saying.
“Jade? Are you there?”
“I’m here.”
“Well, aren’t you excited?”
“About what?”
“About the condo on the beach. Garret said he reserved yours and Sean and I got ours so we’re all set. This is going to be the greatest summer.” She pauses as she waits for me to agree. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”
“Harper, I have to go. I feel kind of sick from the car ride. Can we talk later?”
“Sure. Sean and I are on our way to the airport, but I’ll call you quick before I get on the plane. And when I get back tonight I’m staying over at Sean’s so I probably won’t see you until Sunday night.”
“Yeah, sounds good,” I say, trying to hurry her off the phone.
“Okay, well, I hope you feel better. Oh, and I got you something for our summer on the beach. I’ll show it to you tomorrow. Bye!”
“Bye.” I shove my phone back in my pocket. There’s not going to be a summer on the beach. And I don’t know why because nobody will tell me.
I need to talk to someone about this, but there’s nobody I can talk to. I can’t call Frank or Ryan. They have no idea what I’ve been through with Garret’s family. I get my phone out again and text Ryan to tell him I made it to Moorhurst so he won’t call me.
I collapse on my bed and replay in my mind all the scenes from last semester when Mr. Kensington kept trying to break Garret and me apart. Is that what he was doing today? But why? He acted like he liked me, like he’d finally accepted me. He let me stay at his house. He got me a car. He was nice to me. So did Katherine make him do it?
My shock, sadness, and confusion quickly turn to pure rage. Mr. Kensington can’t do this to me. He can’t take Garret from me again. And neither can Katherine. I won’t let either one of them take away what Garret and I have together.
I search my desk drawer for my laundry money and stuff the bills in my wallet. Then I look up the number of a taxi company and call them to come pick me up. If Mr. Kensington won’t take me to his house, I’ll go there myself. I have to see Garret.
The taxi arrives and when I tell the driver my destination, he says it will be $70 for the half hour ride. I dig in my wallet and count the bills. I only have $75 and that money was supposed to last me for months.
When I arrive at Garret’s house, there’s a line of photographers and teen girls all along the street. The taxi driver drops me off and I give him the entire $75 to include the tip.
Now I’m stranded here. If Mr. Kensington doesn’t let me in, I’ll be camping out for the rest of the day with Garret’s fans. At night they’ll all go home and I’ll freeze to death. Okay, so maybe this wasn’t the greatest idea.
I walk up to the gate and press the button. Brad, one of the security guys, answers. He’s a good guy. I’ve talked to him many times. His wife runs a day care center and they have twin girls who are Lilly’s age. He’s shown me photos of them.
“We don’t allow people on the premises,” he says. “Please stay—”
“Brad, it’s Jade. I need to speak to Mr. Kensington. Can you let me in?”
