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“I can, Bunny. I know it sounds crazy, but I can do this.” He leaned over the console and gripped my hand. “With your help.”
I let out a slow breath and put my faith in the man I’d always thought hung the moon. “Alright then, let’s do it.”
His smile was brilliant and almost made up for the fact that there was a distinct possibility I’d no longer be going to Brown University, but instead Bank’s Community College. Maybe they’d let me transfer, I considered as I hopped out of the SUV. I let out a semi hysterical giggle at the ludicrous thought and shook my head. There was still money for Brown, we just needed to get this place going first. I pushed my doubts aside and asked, “So, when do we get started?”
Dad shook an enormous key ring at me.
“Right now.”
Chapter Three
The next morning, Dad dropped me off once again since none of the school buses passed the motel. Not that I wanted to ride a school bus. I’d never ridden a bus in my life past the one that had brought me to this miniscule town, and it hadn’t impressed me. Movies and television had also convinced me I wasn’t missing anything.
Dad managed not to honk goodbye this time, to my relief, and I noticed fewer stares, but definitely more whispers. It was almost a relief. Gossiping about the new girl was normal in my world, and I wanted normal again.
I couldn’t go back to Mom, and honestly didn’t want to, but it would be nice to have a couple of friends again. Dad had promised to get me a new cell phone, but it wasn’t like any of my old friends were reaching out to me. They had their own lives and from what I saw on social media, they weren’t missing me.
“Hi.”
My thoughts were interrupted by a voice so soft I wasn’t entirely sure I’d heard it. At least until she stepped in front of me. “I’m Anna.”
“Jess,” I answered automatically
“I know. I wanted to talk to you yesterday but you were in a rush to meet the guy picking you up,” she continued, and I realized her soft voice concealed a truly forceful personality. “That was your boyfriend?”
“My dad,” I answered, taken off-guard by the direct question. Her soft voice and downcast eyes had given the impression she was shy, but she immediately disproved that.
“Oh, nice. Did you just move here?” She continued, trailing me as I started up the steps. I debated answering, wondering what her agenda was. She was part of the Pack and I couldn’t figure out what their interest in me was, or if I even wanted to know. My goal was to be gone in a year, and even if having friends would be nice, I didn’t want anything holding me here.
“Yeah, a few days ago,” I answered shortly.
“Do you have brothers and sisters?”
“A younger brother,” I answered warily, under the distinct impression I was being pumped for information by the Pack’s least intimidating member.
“How old is he?”
“What difference does it make? Are you looking for a boyfriend?” I retorted, spinning around to face her. “And the fifth degree? It’s one thing if you want to be friends, and another if you’re just looking for the inside scoop on the new girl.”
“I wasn’t,” she trailed off under my glare, seeming to shrink in on herself.
“Weren’t you?” I snapped back, ignoring the sensation that I’d just kicked a puppy, and stomped inside the school. By the time I reached my locker I’d cooled down a bit and felt embarrassed by my reaction. It occurred to me that maybe she was shy and didn’t know how to make normal conversation, and instead asked a bunch of questions. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever I said to her would be reported back to the group. I just couldn’t figure out why.
The rest of my morning went normally until 3rd period when the crackle of the loudspeaker interrupted our class.
“Please send Jess Carter to the office.”
I glanced up at the mention of my name and the teacher nodded to me. I stood self-consciously as she handed the hall pass over, feeling multiple eyes on me. I left my stuff, hoping whatever this was wouldn’t take long.
When I got to the office there were three other students waiting. The receptionist sorted them out quickly and I stepped up to the counter.
“How can I help you?” She asked, not glancing up.
“Jess Carter, I was called to the office?”
“Oh, yes. Your father called and left a message for you.” She glanced up then with a frown. “We’re not an answering service you know. Personal business should be done on your personal phone.” She sniffed, giving me a onceover. “It’s not like you don’t all have cell phones.”
