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"Um, how was your day?" Ashton asks from beside us.
I grin insanely. "I kicked ass and served the thirsty. You?"
"I made out with Stefan and got a buzz."
Grant and I laugh in surprise. "On that over-share," Grant declares, "I guess I'll see you ..." He hesitates. "Um, Monday, if you can make it to Stefan's." He frowns, and I mirror the expression. "I can't believe it's going to be that long."
"What about Friday?"
"My dad is coming into town. He wanted to spend the weekend together."
"Oh," I say, not hiding my
disappointment. "Then I'll see you Monday." It's like my entire body deflates as I watch him walk toward the employee parking lot.
"Aw, he didn't kiss you, did he?" Ashton says, slinging her arm around my shoulders as she directs us toward our shuttle. I reluctantly tear my eyes away from watching Grant walk away.
"Nope. He didn't kiss me."
The beast laughed as the girl fought to be free of his cloak. But it was a magic cloak, meant to trap anyone within its bind who was not the man meant to wear it. She fought for her breath, choking as it grew tighter and tighter. And as promised, the beast sang.
I should be careful what I wish for.
At seven-thirty, Mr. Garner wakes me and drags me to the rec center again, where Mack is waiting to torture me. At least today, he lets me punch stuff.
"Is this our thing?" I ask Mr. Garner when we're walking through the Court afterward, sweaty and sore.
"I want to make sure you have a safe outlet for your anger."
"Or ... you're making sure I know how to hit harder when I do get into fights."
And I wish I never said that, because when Mr. Garner wakes me on Friday morning, he introduces me to Jasmine's meditation and yoga class. And I thought Mack was bad? Jasmine and her soothing words of inner peace and letting go, all while twisting and balancing my body in the most inhuman positions, is so much worse. My mind is far from calm. I want to tip Mr. Garner over, watching him flow through the positions like he's water. I'm on the verge of screaming when she finally strikes the gong to end our session.
"I really hate that I don't hate you," I mutter again when we leave. "I've decided that's our mantra."
"We'll work on that," he says with a smirk, looking relaxed and all zenned-out.
Later that morning, before meeting Ashton and Sophia for breakfast, I finally connect with my mother. We missed each other's calls the entire week. It's brief, both of us avoiding honestly answering how we're doing. I miss her. And today of all days is harder than any other.
I don't expect her to say it. She never has in the past.
"I love you. You were my choice." This is what she tells me every year.
"I love you too," I say before hanging up. There are so many questions I want to ask her, about how she's feeling, if she's keeping up with the bills, but mostly about how she knows Niall. But I couldn't ask any of them today.
I wander into the Court, not ready to see the girls at breakfast. My heart aches and my throat constricts to fight back sobs. I weave through an intricate labyrinth of hedges until I come upon a heart-shaped rose garden at its center. I am lost in my grief when I feel his arms wrap around me from behind.
"Happy Birthday, Princess." Brendan kisses the top of my head. I shove him away. "What? No birthday love?"
"Not as long as you keep calling me that," I seethe, facing away to wipe the tears from my cheeks.
"Honestly, it's what comes out naturally when I see you. I swear it's not to remind you of that night. I'm a bastard, but I'm not that twisted." After a moment of hesitation, he says, "I'm sorry. I'll try to refrain from saying it. But I make no promises." I can feel him studying me, trying to circle around to get a better view of my face. I continue to evade him, turning my head to hide my emotions.
"Why are you crying?"
"How did you find me?" I ask, deflecting.
"Followed your GPS," he answers honestly. "Now, tell me what happened? Why are you upset, today of all days?"
