Page 30 of Jerk

“YouhadThe Hill in a chokehold. Hannah, things are different now.”

“It’s not like anyone will see me in your house.”

“I can’t risk it. Unlike you, I still have status.” The call ends. My chest tightens.

Shecan’t be seen withme?

I dial Ember’s number next, but it goes straight to voicemail. Checking QuickGram, Ember’s story shows her already at Rye’s party atmylake house.

My hands slam against my steering wheel, the sting in my palms startling me. With a deep inhale, I close my eyes. “You can figure this out,” I mutter to myself, but taking another deep breath doesn’t settle the fire in my chest.

Or you can blow it all up.

The fury in my father’s eyes flashes in my head. Then the disdain in Rye’s.

Moving to my email, my finger hovers over the file hidden in my drafts.

Subject: Social Suicide

Everyone in Paradise has a secret, and my father is no different. He’s just better at hiding it. I have this suicide bomb for drastic times. I’ve considered dropping it once or twice, but kicking your daughter out of her own home with nowhere to go is worth it. Isn’t it? If I do this, there’s no coming back.

A notification appears at the top of my screen, a headache seeping in.

Vince H: Coming to the Crimson party tonight?

Leaving my email, I tap back to QuickGram to get another glimpse at what's going on inmyparents’ lake house. The lights are dim. The decor red and sultry. He’s even moved in some of that trashy equipment he had at the last party.

I scowl at the screen when I come across a clip ofhim. He has Marisol’s arms wrapped around him while they move to a slow, sexy song. My eyes lock on her earrings, ones I wore better last spring.

Throwing my phone on the passenger’s seat, my head falls back against the headrest. I’ve gone from top of the food chain to no one wanting me around. Not even my own parents.

That thought brings me back to my email.

Grabbing my phone, I stare at my draft again, my skin burning as my chipped nail hovers over the ‘send’ button.

Think about this. Where will you stay? Where will you go?

I don’t even have any clothes with me, no skincare products, and no money to change that.

Vince H: I’ll save you a dance

The throb in my head strikes again.

How do I fix this? How do I get through this night?

It’s easy, really. I have clothes at the lake house. Not only that, but the lake house has everything I need to get through the night.

So why am I letting a Crown make this more complicated than it needs to be?

Starting the car, I tap in the lake house on my GPS and move towards the main road.

Why should I blow up my life when I can take it back?

I no longer give a fuck that Rye is hosting. I don’t give a fuck that my friends are there. I need a place to stay. So as far as I know, our deal is officially over.

ELEVEN

HANNAH