Page 50 of Never Let Go (Forbidden #1)

Chapter Fifty

LAUREN

I t’s been just over a week since that night.

Caleb hasn’t tried contacting me and I don’t know whether to be upset that he hasn’t reached out or relieved that he’s respecting my wishes.

I didn’t bother going to class, emailing Brad telling him I was unwell and asking if he would send any missed assignments.

I’ve been true to my word—mostly—and haven’t let myself dwell on the shoulda, woulda, coulda’s. I’ve spent most of my time either at work or in the library studying, knowing that if I stayed in my room, I would most likely never leave it again.

I’m sitting in the library, finishing up an assignment when my phone goes off.

Unknown

Florence Hotel. 9 p.m.

Fuck! It’s got to be the dean .

Calling Sydney straight away, I panic wondering if she’ll answer as I know she’s in class. It rings twice before she answers.

“Lauren.” The alarm and concern in Sydney’s voice is evident, as she rushes to add, “What’s wrong?”

“Douchebag messaged,” I whisper quietly.

You can hear Sydney’s sharp intake of breath. “Shit! What did he say?”

“He wants me to meet him tonight,” I whisper again.

My heart rate kicks up and my vision starts to blur at the thought of being in the same room as him again. But Sydney and I have a plan, one that, if all goes according to plan, will see the dean firmly where he belongs—behind bars.

“Okay. We both know the plan. Everything’s fine, Lo. We’ve got this,” she says, sounding more confident than I feel. “Everything’s gonna be fine,” she reiterates.

I nod but she can’t see me so I take a deep breath and put my big girl panties on before repeating, “Everything’s gonna be fine.”

“I’ve gotta go but I’ll see you back at the dorm in a little while, okay?”

“Sure. I’m just finishing up in the library then I’m gonna go to the Honey Pot before heading back. I’ll see you soon.”

We hang up and I grab my bag. I'm too restless to keep working so I make my way to the coffee shop, hoping the noise there will drown out the noise in my head.