Jake finally unwraps his arms, allowing me to plant my feet on the ground.
“What the fuck did you say to her?” Jake shakes his arms out.
She shrugs. “Empty physical threats, how you could get her kicked out of school because of who your parents are, the usual shit.”
Kami waves her hand in the air as if it’s an everyday thing for us. And although it may not be an everyday thing, it’s happened more times than it should have.
“Thanks,” I tell her, shaking off Samantha’s words. It’s not true. Grayson and I are dating.Were dating?I have no damn idea. The woman is crazy.
“No biggie.”
“Anyone up for pizza?” Levi asks as we all move on from what just happened.
I roll my shoulders back, close my eyes, and clear my mind, desperate to use this as a distraction. “Sounds good,” we all reply.
I relax at the fact that I told Samantha what I needed to tell her, and in reality, she’s just a miserable, harmless loser. But unlike a couple of weeks ago, I don’t feel bad for her at all. Not one bit.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
EMMA
It’s two days before winter break, meaning there are three days until Christmas, and I only have one final left.
Nothing’s changed in the past few days. No word from Grayson yet, and as much as I’m trying not to let it bother me, it’s been too long. I’m tired of this crap, and it’s taken everything in me not to go to his house. Everyone’s surprised I haven’t yet, but I’m trying to respect his boundaries—and I may have asked the gang to do a drive-by. They didn’t see him at home, which I found odd, but he did quit and could be sorting out some things with the soup kitchen or wherever else he needs to get things done.
Honestly, I’m staying calmer than most people would. Still, I feel completely drained. My mind is a chaotic mess, and my heart is confused about where it belongs. Both are not only at odds with each other but are barely surviving on their own.
As the thought leaves me, someone knocks on the door of my and Kami’s suite.
Kamila has her bedroom door wide open, and I can hear the keys on her laptop, meaning she’s in the zone and not to be disturbed. I set my own laptop aside on the couch, open thedoor, and find someone who looks to be about my age wearing a large coat and a hat with the name “Driscoll Floral Frenzy.” He’s holding a huge bouquet in a large vase filled with dozens of blue forget-me-nots, my favorite flower. In the boy’s other hand lies a closed medium-sized box.
“Would you mind taking the flowers so you can sign for them, please?” he asks, clearly hinting that they’re heavy.
“Yes, sorry.” I grab the vase and set it on the coffee table. There’s a note sticking out of it, but I don’t want to leave the poor guy hanging. Rushing to him, I sign the paper confirming I received both the flowers and the box.
He hands me the medium-sized box, which is cold to the touch, and then leaves. Kamila rushes into the living room. “What was that?”
Ignoring her question, I open the box to reveal perfectly shaped chocolate-covered strawberries. My eyes widen.
“It’s Grayson,” I tell her and hand her the box, running to pick up the card.
Princess,
I’m sorry it took me this long to contact you. I’ve been in Connecticut with my brother since I quit and was waiting for you to find out, so you could have some time to process things.
If that was a foolish decision, I hope this can make up for it.
I had to change my phone number due to some unpleasant calls I was receiving. You’ll have my new number soon. I’m not ignoring you, Emma.
I’ll be traveling for the next few days, but I will explain everything soon.
I stand by what I said the first timearound.
Wait for me, okay?
- G
“Okay,” I whisper to myself.
