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Her eyes flared. “Too bad getting rid of you isn’t as easy as getting you here.”
All coherent thoughts ground to a halt. My face must’ve shown it.
She arched her brow. “Oh, you didn’t know? Yeah. I made the call to Coopersville. And your principal was so appreciative of the information.”
Every part of my body trembled. A mixture of anger, shock, and sadness rushed through me. How could one person be so vindictive? So evil?
“I thought it would be more fun watching you flounder. Turns out, it isn’t. So, what to do with the bitch who suddenly thinksshe’sa Grayson?” she mused.
“Are you trying to threaten me?”
“Stop whatever it is you’re doing with Seren, or I will do so much worse than have you kicked out of a school.” She turned away and her minion followed her.
My heartbeat thrashed in my chest as my mind whirled.Shehad me sent to Windham Prep. Not Seren. Not someone from back home. Kiki.Shewanted to toy with me and embarrass me. It was all a game to her. All a messed up disturbing game.
Holly had it right. Shewasa psycho bitch.
* * *
I returned from the Grayson’s kitchen a little after seven. A sudden flurry of excitement replaced the
anger I’d been feeling since learning the truth about my premature exit from Coopersville High.
After a quick shower, I slipped on some jeans, a cute navy top with peepholes down the sleeves, and some nude flats. I snuck out of the apartment while my mother had dozed off in her bed, leaving a note that I headed out for a walk.
I hurried across the lawn and down the walking path, passing the pool and pool house. I turned on my phone flashlight when I was far enough away from the manor so no one would see. As I neared the edge of the property, I could see a light inside the treehouse. My stomach dipped with anticipation. I reached the foot of the tree and dragged in a deep breath. I braced my hands on the plank steps and climbed through the open trap door. Bright red balloons filled the ceiling with twisty silver ribbons twirling down from them. Two lanterns placed on the benches cast a soft glow over the space.
Seren stood there in low-hung jeans and a black T-shirt that clung to him like a second skin. “You know I had to outdo your friends, right?” he said, clearly meaning the number of balloons he’d managed to get into the treehouse.
I laughed, feeling special despite his need to outdo Holly and Laney. I noticed a small table set up with a black tablecloth and two chairs. “It looks amazing in here.”
He said nothing, though his small grin displayed his obvious pride in what he’d accomplished.
“How are you feeling?” I asked.
His eyes narrowed. “Fine. Why?”
“You weren’t in school.”
He smirked. “I had stuff to do.”
Stuff?
He chuckled and I knew I’d never get used to seeing him happy. He held out his hand and I moved forward, taking it. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me to him in an embrace that felt so safe. But I wondered if he’d been telling the truth when he said I’d be legal. Did he expect more than I was willing to give the person who I despised only a week before. “Happy birthday, Grace.”
“Thank you.”
He released me and stepped back. “Are you hungry?”
“Did you cook?” I asked.
“Don’t be crazy. Chef would hurt me if I tried to make anything in his kitchen.”
I laughed, trying to picture Seren cooking anything.
He moved to one of the benches. He reached inside a brown bag, pulling out two carryout boxes and placing them on the table. “Have a seat.”
I sat down and he did the same. I still couldn’t get used to this thoughtful version of Seren when he was so tough with everyone else.
