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“Hey, at least they’re paying for your shit. That has to be nice.” Haven eyes my hair.
I shrug. “Kinda.”
Money has never been an issue for me or my parents, but the same isn’t true for Haven. She had to start from scratch when she ran away from the cult she grew up in. If it hadn’t been for Julie being so willing to help her out, I’m not sure she would’ve been able to leave.
Over the past three years, Haven and I have practically become sisters. She’s come home with me on the holidays, I helped give my parents ideas for Christmas gifts for her, and I’m always happy to buy her whatever she needs.
More recently, she’s gotten a work-study job, so money isn’t as tight, and she already has a job lined up for after graduation. I’m happy for her.
“Do your parents know?” she asks.
“Not yet. The guys want to come home with me over Thanksgiving break, which shouldn’t be an issue. My parents’ house is big enough to fit all of us. You and I will have to share my room, but I figure that’s not too big of a deal.”
A shadow crosses over Haven’s face, and at first I think it’s disappointment at not being able to spend holidays the way we normally do. But she smiles apologetically and says, “Julie and Ben invited me to Thanksgiving again this year. I’ve turned them down for so many years, so I figure it’s time I finally say yes.”
“Oh. Yeah, no, that makes perfect sense.”
When Haven was an older teen, Julie was her only connection to the outside world. Apparently, Julie visited Haven’s church and immediately realized what it was—a cult. She did her best to visit regularly, so when Haven decided she wanted out, she was able to contact Julie for help.
Since Julie is on admissions staff at Pemberton University, and her husband Ben is on the board of directors, they were able to pull some strings. They got Haven a full-ride scholarship here and helped her change her name so her family wouldn’t be able to find her.
So far, it seems to have worked. Haven is more jumpy than usual, though. She was visiting a part of her family that has no ties with the cult, but I wonder if she’s still worried they’ll somehow figure out where she ran away to.
“It’s just that they’ve helped me so much,” Haven says. “They’ve made it clear that I don’t owe them anything, but they’ve never stopped inviting me to things. It’s really sweet, and I think they might actually want me there.”
“Then you should go.” I hide my disappointment behind a bright smile. “I’ll miss you, but… well, I’ll be occupied.”
Haven laughs.“Veryoccupied. It’s still so weird to me, though. It feels like yesterday that you came back to the dorm soaked from Kellan pushing you into the fountain.”
“I know.” I shake my head and pick at a loose piece of the worn, wooden picnic table. “At least I’m finally getting my revenge.”
“They don’t seem to have a clue?”
“No. I think I fought them enough in the beginning, and every once in a while, I snap at them. Not too harshly, just as a reminder that they still have to prove themselves. Which… they actually seem to be trying to do.”
“Oh?”
“Sometimes, it feels like we’re back in freshman year. They’re being so kind to me, Haven. It feels like ithasto be fake, like they’re pretending or something, but then I look into their eyes, and they’re so… sincere.”
“But that’s what you want, right? You need them to actually be invested in this.”
“I do,” I say absentmindedly. The way Wes calls me his soul lingers in my mind and tugs at my heartstrings. It’s so sweet, so unexpected.
“I’d say you’re well on your way to having them wrapped around your finger,” Haven says with a mischievous grin. “I for one can’t wait to see how miserable they end up. I’ll text you updates every time I see them.”
That pulls a laugh from me. “I can’t wait.”
Chapter Forty-Three
Athelia
Haven and I talk for another hour before we head our separate ways. I still feel like she’s keeping something from me, but watching her smile and laugh eases some of my worry.
Who am I to fault her for hiding things from me, anyway? If there’s something more going on, Haven will tell me about it when she’s ready.
When I get back to the house, the first floor is empty except for Kellan lounging on the couch in the living room. He beckons for me to join him, so I crawl on top of him and fit my mouth to his.
Groaning, Kellan tosses the book he was reading to the floor and grabs onto my waist. His tongue delves into my mouth, and I lightly grind against him.
