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“I... no, I don’t know.”
“I know you told Conner you were attacked, but we’ve had our fair share of family drama over the last few months not to recognize a cry for help.”
“I’m not... that’s not what this is. I didn’t ask Jay to bring me here.”
“Kennedy,” he lets out a soft sigh, raking his fingers through his salt and pepper hair, “that’s not what I mean.”
“O-oh.” I hate that I sound so weak, but despite not wanting to stay here, I know that I can’t go back to Warren. Not after what he did. I’d rather run. I’d rather pack a bag and take off.
“Look, I sense there is a story there between you and my son. That is yours to tell, so I won’t push you for the details. But I also won’t send you back to the Heights until I’m confident you have a safe place to stay. I spoke to a couple of friends, and there’s another option, if you want to hear it?”
Hesitating, I stare at him. Then I whisper, “Okay.”
“Hadley, Cole’s girlfriend, boards up at the school. There’s a spare room in her dorm building. It’s yours if you want it. Principal Vager is willing to talk to Sterling Heights High to see if you have enough credits to graduate high school. If you do, you can transfer, finish classes at Sterling Prep, and graduate in May.”
“You managed to organize all that in less than a day?” Disbelief coats my words.
“I have... connections,” he says cryptically.
Connections and a fat check book.
“Why?”
“Because I’ve made enough mistakes with my boys. I won’t make the same mistake twice,” he says as if it’s that simple.
Everyone had heard the recent rumors that Conner and his brothers were in fact James’ kids, but none of us know the history there. I know the boys suffered at the hands of their mom, though, and although it devastated me when
Conner left, I can already see he’s better off here.
“I can really stay at the school?” I ask, hardly able to believe what he’s telling me. But then reality crashes over me.
I can’t go to Sterling Prep. I’m not like the kids who go there. I’m not rich. I don’t drive an expensive car or wear the best designers. Unless I try and sneak into Warren’s and get my stuff, I have nothing but the clothes folded neatly on the chair.
I’m from the Heights, where life is hard and you do what you gotta do to survive.
There’s no way I can go to Sterling Prep, no matter how tempting his offer is. Besides, Conner will be there. It’ll mean seeing him day in, day out.
“It’s a lot to process. Why don’t you take some time to think about it.” James gets up and moves to the door.
“Wait,” I call after him. “What happens if I say no?”
“You’re a minor, Kennedy.”
It’s a threat.
One I don’t need explaining.
He’s prepared to help me, but if I choose not to accept his offer, he won’t hesitate to call the authorities.
Fuck.
“Get some rest. We’ll talk again soon.” He slips out of the room, and, once again, I’m alone.
I know James means well, but he doesn’t understand the consequences for a girl like me to attend a place like Sterling Prep. Besides, Warren won’t just cut me loose. He’ll come for me eventually.
But I can’t deny that no matter how much I would rather not be here, it’s the safest I’ve felt in weeks. Warren is volatile and possessive. I never know which version of him I’m going to get. It’s exhausting, constantly living on edge, waiting for his barbed words and cruel touch.
Maybe staying in Sterling Bay is the better option.
