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Two
After promisingCeeCee and Gwyneth we would get together without the guys the next weekend, I left the party alone. Normally, I had Tessa or Gavin check if my dad or Juliet’s car was parked out front before heading home, but since they were still at Noah’s house for the party, I decided not to risk a run-in and went to my mom’s house.
I’d moved a small selection of clothes and toiletries over since I was spending more time there than at my house. Dad thought since I was busy finishing school projects and studying for finals coming up, I preferred the quiet of the house. I didn’t bother correcting him.
His and Juliet’s schedules were more erratic than normal. The predictable days of him staying in the city most weeknights and coming home for the weeks were gone. Suddenly, they appeared at random. The worst was when Juliet showed up alone without warning. I hated being around her now. My ability to fake a smile and pretend I didn’t know she was a liar was wearing thin.
She wanted to go on shopping trips or dinner dates, just us two, and I saw the pain on her face each time I rejected her. Not that I felt bad about it. Her betrayal hurt a lot worse. She was an imposter. A fake. She was using my dad for reasons I didn’t yet understand but was determined to uncover. I hated that I’d let that woman into my life and heart so easily.
When I pulled up to the Victorian house I was slowly beginning to think of as my own, I relaxed. The renovations I had done to the outside were mostly done. Waiting for the warmer weather drove me a little crazy, but it gave me time to pick out the paint color, new paving stones, and plants. Seeing it all together now made me smile. The old, yellow paint had been cheery but was faded, so I changed it to a light blue to coordinate with the gray roof. At first, I hesitated to change anything. I didn’t want to overshadow my grandparents’ memory, but the guys convinced me they would want me to make it my own.
I climbed the stairs to my bedroom and picked out some pajamas before going to the bathroom to wash off the chlorine. After I brushed out my wet hair and cuddled into bed with my current book, I checked my phone. The guys texted to make sure I made it home safely, and I replied that I did and would see them tomorrow at school. There was another message from Emery asking me to call her. This was the third time she’d reached out. This week. She worried about me, and it made me regret going to her in the first place. Even though I thanked her for the offer to let me move into her house, she wouldn’t let it go. She kept insisting that it was the best option. She didn’t want me living alone, and I was tired of having the same conversation.
Since it was after ten, I felt safe replying. She probably wouldn’t see it until the morning, and then I could use being in class as an excuse not to call her.
I typed out a message once again assuring her I was safe and taken care of. I told her there was a strong possibility the Society would be sending us to a boarding school of sorts soon, so the whole issue would be resolved.
Less than a minute after I sent it, she called. Crap. It wasn’t like I could pretend to be asleep.
“Hey, Emery,” I answered, trying to sound tired.
“Hi, I got your message. What’s this about a boarding school? I’ve never heard of the Society being affiliated with one.”
I sucked in a breath, summoning patience. She’d been out of the society for over eighteen years. Things would obviously change during that time, but I didn’t say that. The school was only one of the options we’d heard about, and it seemed like the one she’d most likely approve of. I still hoped things would deescalate before anything major had to happen.
“It’s a new thing they want to try.”
I never told her about the attacks on Society members taking place around the world, and I didn’t intend to. Her family was out of that world and was safe from the Anti-Society. I didn’t want her worrying about me when I knew the Council was actively working on a solution.
“That’s interesting,” she hummed. “If that’s what you want, then I guess it’s a good idea.”
Being shipped off to some random school wasn’t what I wanted, but if it would end this round of phone tag, I was more than willing to go along with it.
“Yeah, I should know more soon. I’ll let you know when I do.”
“Please do. I worry about you. I wish we lived closer so I could be around for you more,” she sighed. “I know it’s what your mom would have wanted me to do.”
Guilt hit me instantly. I didn’t want her to feel bad, and I especially didn’t want her thinking she was somehow also letting my mom down.
“I do too, but knowing I can talk to you is really helpful, Emery.”
“You can always come to me. If there’s anything you need, please let me know. Between me and my husbands, we can always be there in less than an hour if you need us.”
“I know.” I meant it. Her family had been nothing short of amazing since I met them. I needed to go back over and visit soon. “Thank you.”
“I love you, sweetie.”
“I love you, too.” I ended the call and dropped back on my pillows. I didn’t love lying to her. Emery was one of the last family members I had and one of the few people I trusted.
I tried to immerse myself in the story of my book, but my thoughts were going in a million directions. I needed at least two or three things in my life to be simple. Going back to school just in time for finals and picking out classes for next year. Outside of school, I had Juliet and the AS to worry about and the one thing always on my mind—the guys.
I wanted all the extra noise to fade away so I could focus my attention and energy on them. Spending so much time away with Sky had been hard on all of us. Sky missed his friends as much as they missed us. I spent the night a few times at Gavin’s, but we didn’t get to hang out. We ate dinner, and he did homework while I recapped the day for Daniel. I was looking forward to second period just to have an hour of uninterrupted time with them, even if it was in the stinky weight room surrounded by our classmates.
After another failed attempt to read the same paragraph without comprehending a single word, I gave up and turned off the lights. I scooted down and snuggled into the soft blankets. Memories of when Vince had slept with me in this bed pressed into my mind. He was always so warm and never complained about how cold I was or how I slipped my feet between his calves to heat them up. He pulled me close in his sleep, so I was in my favorite spot with my head resting on the space between his shoulder and chest.
I missed him.
I missed all of them.
