Chapter 20
Jenna
Fuck him. He wasn't at all the guy I thought he was, or maybe he was exactly who I thought he was.
I pulled my phone from my purse and called Grace. She picked up on the first ring. Thank God.
"Hey. Where are you? I haven't heard from you in a few days."
"I'm leaving Kadia. I just got in a fight with Nate, and I need you. I hate to drag you in the middle of this bullshit, but I'm going over to Darek's. Can you come with me?"
"Yeah. Sure." She sounded unsure.
"Unless I'm interrupting something. Where are you?"
"I'm still at the library." She yawned loudly.
I got in the car and started it before buckling up. "What? I thought your shift ended at three on Thursdays."
"It does, but I took a shift for one of the guys because Erik was holed up on the top floor, and I wanted to stare at him a little bit longer."
"Erik?"
"The bad guy?" She snorted and laughed.
"Oh, shit." I pursed my lips and headed toward the public library. "Can I just pick you up there? You off soon?"
"Oh yeah. The place has been closed for an hour, but I told him he could stay until he was done."
"Keep him there. Please."
"What?" Grace's voice pinched tight.
"Keep him there. I need his help. Maybe." I turned down one of the busier streets in downtown and cursed as Grace fumbled with her response.
"How do I keep him here?" Her voice shook.
"I don't know. Talk to him. Act like the fucking doors are locked. I need ten minutes to get there, Grace. I need to talk to him."
"All right. Fine. I'll try. Hurry."
I dropped the call and pounded on my horn as if the sound alone could clear the road. My heart ached in my chest over Nathaniel not wanting to help me. Or believe me.
I was on my own. "What else is new?"
The roads cleared a few minutes later and I breathed a sigh of relief and sped toward the library. The beautiful structure was lit up, looking like something majestic as I parked beside it and got out.
I locked the car with my arm extended behind me as I jogged toward the door and used my free hand to pull my phone out. I texted Grace that I was there, and waited outside, pacing the floor in front of the main door.
"Hey. Over here. The main doors are locked." She motioned for me to join her.
"Hey. I'm sorry about this. I need to fill you in on everything." I jogged toward her and slipped into the warmth of the library. I hadn't realized how cold it was outside until we were walking through the halls toward the elevator.
"All right, so, spill." She put her hands on her hips. "Have you been crying?"
"Yes, but never mind that. I got a letter from Darek in the mail."
Her eyes widened. "Explain."
