Page 246 of Promising You
“I can still see them. It’s more of a financial disownment. I can’t have access to their money.” He gets a really serious look on his face. “I’m broke, Jade. My trust fund was taken away. My credit cards. Bank accounts. All of it.”
I try really hard to be serious like he is right now, but I can’t. I just start laughing and I can’t stop. I can’t even sit up anymore. I have to lie down on the blanket.
“What the hell, Jade? This isn’t funny. Did you hear me? I’m broke. Well, they let me keep my college money, but it can only be used for tuition. Nothing else. And I can keep the car. So at least we’ll have two cars. And the condo is already paid for through the end of August, so it could be worse.”
I’m still laughing. Garret lies next to me. “Are you drunk? From half a glass of champagne?”
“No. It’s just funny.”
“Your fiancé being broke is funny?”
“Hey, I like that. My fiancé. That’s a strange word, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, I guess.” Garret tilts his head. “You sure you’re not drunk?”
I turn on my side so we’re face to face. “Garret, I don’t care if you’re broke. I never cared that you had money. You know that.”
“But we’re getting married now and my money was supposed to be your money and now it’s gone. I didn’t want you to ever have to worry about money again. And I’m going to do all I can to make sure you don’t. I’ll get a job, or two jobs, or three. Whatever it takes.”
“And what kind of job are you planning to get?” I ask, scooting closer to him. “You’ve never even had a job, have you?”
“I’ve had internships, but they didn’t pay. I don’t know what I’ll do. I guess I could work construction or something.”
“Somehow I can’t see you working construction. Have you ever built anything?”
“No, but I can learn.” He considers it, then says, “Fine, then I’ll go be a waiter somewhere. It doesn’t matter. I’ll find something that’ll pay the bills.”
He’s so determined and it’s so damn sweet that it makes me want to hug him and kiss him and never stop, but first I need to tell him my news. “Garret, you don’t need to worry about money.”
“Why not?” He looks so confused.
I smile at him. “Because I have 50 million dollars. Well, 45 million. I gave five to Frank.”
Now Garret’s laughing. “Yeah, I wish.”
“I’m not joking. I have 45 million dollars. Arlin set up a trust fund for me before he died.”
“Wait. Are you serious?”
“Totally serious. Grace and I had lunch last Friday and she told me about it. I told her it was too much, but then she went on about how many millions it takes to make a billion. Basically she insisted it wasn’t too much and told me it’s mine to use however I want. Oh, and she’s making me keep that credit card she gave me and told me I’m supposed to use it until I get out of college. I tried to give it back but I guess all the grandkids get one and she wants it to be fair.”
Garret is listening to my every word but his expression hasn’t changed so I don’t know what he’s thinking. I think he’s speechless. It seems to be a common reaction to the mention of 50 million dollars.
“So anyway, I guess I’m the rich one now.” I kiss him to wake him from his daze. “If you want anything, just let me know and I’ll buy it for you. And don’t complain about me buying you stuff or I’ll make you strip for me.” I nudge him. “Garret? Are you alive over there?”
A smile slowly forms across his face as he pulls me on top of him. “I think I’ll be stripping a lot. It’s payback time. You know I’ll be giving you a hard time. You buy me a pack a gum I’ll be saying, ‘Jade, no, it’s too much.’”
“Hey, I never said that for a pack of gum.”
“I’m pretty sure you did.”
“Whatever. Go ahead and say it. I’m still buying you stuff.”
“So I’m broke and you’re rich. I get why you were laughing now.”
My smile fades as I remember why he’s broke. “Garret, how do you feel about being disowned by your family? I wasn’t laughing aboutthat, by the way. It’s not funny.”
“It’s not as bad as it sounds. It’s really more about making sure I don’t have access to my dad’s money, which includes cutting me out of the inheritance. Being part of that organization has rewards. Financial rewards. And with my bad behavior, I was kicked out and banned from ever being a member. Therefore I can’t benefit from the financial rewards my father and grandfather have received. The members consider this a punishment for my dad because they assume my dad wants to be able to share his money with me and all the benefits that come with having that kind of money. But secretly, he’d rather have me free from the organization. And I would, too. I’d take my freedom over the money any day.”
