AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Acceptance letter, maybe?" she suggests with a shrug.
"But I—"
"Come on, let's get moving. You can open that on the way. It'll give us something else to celebrate," Cole says, pushing me from the kitchen, but I'm not looking at where we're going. I'm too confused about what's in my hands.
I threw all my applications in the trash. It can't be what I think it is.
"Are you okay?" Kenny's warm hand lands on my forearm and her wide eyes stare up at me.
Not wanting to bring the tone down by talking about our time apart when we're meant to be enjoying ourselves, I plaster on a smile and tuck the envelope under my arm as we follow the others out to the car.
As usual, Ace and Remi head for his bike, although not before dumping their bags in Cole's trunk. Ours join theirs before we climb into the back of Cole's car, Cole and Hadley taking their seats in the front.
"I'm so excited for this," Hadley almost squeals as Cole starts the car.
Kenny and I didn't go back to school this week. After everything, James kindly decided to turn a blind eye to the fact that we skipped—assuming he'd already talked to Vager and got Kenny back in, that is.
I couldn't have been happier to spend a few days in bed with my girl, allowing her to recover while I tended to her every need.
But now, I can't help but agree with Hadley. I'm so ready to get out of this place for a couple of days and to put the past few weeks behind us.
We had no idea that anything had been planned, but it turned out that James had arranged with Ellen for us to have the beach house she organized for Ace and Remi last year for her birthday.
Before anyone else gets a chance, I sync my cell to Cole's car and hit play on Imagine Dragons for the journey.
Stretching my legs out, I wrap my arm around Kenny and pull her into my side. Her small hand lands on my thigh and it warms me from the inside out.
Her bruises have started to fade, the visible evidence of what she went through thankfull
y disappearing with every second that passes, but I'm not stupid to think that the scars on the inside will fade so quickly.
She hasn’t really talked about most of it yet, I don't think she knows how to even start, but that's okay, she's got all the time in the world to open up. I'm more than happy to let her go at her own pace. All that matters now is that he's gone and we're back together.
She's yet to mention going back to the dorms after spring break, but I already know my answer, and I've already told James what’s happening. After everything, I figure he owes us. Kenny might not know it yet, but the Jagger house is as much her home now as it is mine.
I've still got so many questions for our dad. There are so many things he's keeping from us and I hate the constant knot that's twisting my stomach because of it. He says he's keeping us safe, that he's protecting Ace from having to take over whatever the fuck it is. But still, none of it makes sense.
I glance at Hadley, concern lacing through me that whatever this Gravestone shit is, involves her and her family. She might have turned her back on them, but still. Does she know more than she's letting on?
I haven’t had a chance to interrogate her yet, but I will.
And then there's Bexley and the other faces I didn't recognize on that board.
I shake my head, making about as much sense of it all as I did when I was standing in that warehouse.
"You gonna open that or what?" Cole asks, catching my eye in the mirror and dragging me from my thoughts.
"Yeah, babe. Open it," Kenny encourages.
"I-I think I'll wait until we're there."
"Conner, are you nervous?" Kenny whispers, her delicate hand landing on my abs and making my entire body flinch.
"I... um... yeah, I guess."
"Aw, you're so cute. You know they'll want you."
I love her confidence in me. I might have a little in myself if I knew I'd actually sent the applications.
