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CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Harper gets back to campus late Sunday night. We’ve been calling each other over the break, but not as much as we said we would. I haven’t talked to her for a week now.

Classes don’t start until Tuesday so we agreed to spend Monday morning together before she devotes the rest of her day to “catching up” with Sean, which I’m sure is code for having as much sex as possible. They haven’t seen each other for almost four weeks.

“Tell me everything, Jade. What’s been going on since I saw you last?”

We’re sitting in her room with the coffees she insisted we drive to town to get.

“There’s not much to tell. I already told you what I did when I was in Des Moines. And I told you about going to New York.” I take a moment to sort through what things I can tell her and what I can’t. I can’t tell her anything about Garret’s family. I might let one of their many secrets slip out.

“Anything happen last week?” she asks.

“Garret’s ex-girlfriend tried to get back together with him.”

Her eyes bug out. “And it took you this long to tell me? I need details, Jade.”

I recap the story for her. “I don’t think Sadie will be calling him again anytime soon.”

“Did Garret really tell her you two might get married someday?”

“Yeah, but I’m sure he was kidding. He just said it to get rid of her. And it worked.” I take a sip of my coffee. “Oh, and Garret and I decided to get an apartment together this summer.”

She almost spills her coffee. “What? That’s major news! Why didn’t you call and tell me?”

“We just decided it the other day. We’re going to rent a place on a beach in California. I was thinking we could come see you once or twice.”

“Once or twice? If you’re gonna live in California this summer I want to see you guys all the time. This is crazy. I can’t believe you two are doing this. I mean, it makes sense that Garret would. He’s totally in love with you. But I can’t believe you’d agree to live with him. You always act like you’re afraid to get serious with him.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Whatever. It doesn’t matter. So where in California?”

“Garret thinks we should go somewhere north of LA. He’s going to ask his dad’s real estate agent to help us find a place.”

She picks up her phone and starts tapping on the screen. “Tell him not to. I know people who could get you a better place and a better deal, not that Garret cares about the price.”

“We need a good deal because I’m paying for half the rent. I need to find a job out there. I was thinking of waitressing.”

She puts her phone down and looks at me funny. “Waitressing won’t get you enough money to afford a place on the beach. Not even enough to pay for half of the rent.”

“How much are these places?”

“Depends on where you go and how big of a place you want. Like a one or two bedroom beachfront condo could be anywhere from $2000-$6000 a week. More if it’s new or really nice. I’d plan for around $4000.”

“A week? So $16,000 a month?”

“Yeah. That’s about average.”

“I didn’t know they cost that much! That’s completely insane. Who has that kind of money?”

“Most people just rent them out for a week, not the whole summer. But you could probably get the price down since you’re staying for the summer.”

Suddenly all my excitement about the summer is gone. I knew a place on the beach would be expensive but not that much. Why didn’t Garret tell me this? Because he knew I wouldn’t go. That’s why.

“Are places that much on the East Coast, too?” I ask her.

“Some are more than that. Garret would know. He said his family rented a house on Martha’s Vineyard last summer. Ask him how much that cost. I’m sure it was a fortune. What do you care? His family is loaded. A few thousand dollars a week is nothing to them.”

“I don’t want Garret paying for everything. I wanted to at least pay for half of the rent. But there’s no way I can afford that.”

“Jade, just let him pay for it. You guys are gonna have so much fun. I should try to talk Sean into living in California this summer. He keeps telling me he wants to learn to surf.”

Harper spends the next hour telling me everything she did over break. Then she tells me what’s new with her family. Her dad’s a Hollywood director and just started work on a comic book superhero movie. Her sister, Kylie, is an actress and Harper’s mom is now managing Kylie’s acting career. Kylie got a side role in a teen vampire movie which is supposed to be huge. According to Harper, Kylie has been hanging out with the lead actress in the film and now has paparazzi following her around everywhere. Harper’s other sister is a model and travels all the time for photo shoots, but she was home over the holiday.

“Jade, here.” Harper tosses me a small wrapped box she took out of her suitcase, which is still unpacked and sitting on the floor.

“What’s this?”

“A Christmas gift. I saw it and thought it would be so cute on you.”

“Harper, we said we weren’t exchanging gifts. I didn’t get you anything.”

“Just open it.” She stands there waiting for me.

I unwrap the box to find a denim mini skirt. I usually don’t wear skirts. In fact I don’t even own one. But if I were to buy a skirt, this is the one I’d buy. The denim has that worn look and the back pockets are frayed a little. I recognize the designer label. A pair of jeans from that designer is easily $300, so I know the skirt cost a lot.

“Thanks, Harper. This is exactly my style.”

“It’s from the spring collection.” Harper’s totally into fashion. Whenever she talks about clothes or shoes her eyes light up and she gets this eager tone to her voice. “I’ve never seen you wear a skirt, but when I saw this I thought it would be perfect for you.”

I hold it up. At least it’s not too short. Harper tends to wear really short skirts.

“I got you some other stuff, too.” She starts pulling more clothes from her suitcase. “And don’t say I spent too much because I didn’t buy any of this. It was all sent to my sister by companies that want her to wear it. It’s like free advertising. If the paparazzi get photos of her, these designers want her wearing their clothes. Anyway, this stuff was too big on her and too small for me. But I think it might fit you.”

She hands me a slightly longer, fuller skirt made from a thin, almost sheer fabric. “How small is your sister?” I ask, holding it up.

“She’s tiny. Like 90 pounds tiny. Anyway, that skirt would be great with a tank top and some sandals.” She hands me a stack of t-shirts. “You can toss these if you don’t want them. My sister gets way too many t-shirts. She already gave a ton away but I saved these for you.”

“You’re giving me all of these?” I flip through the stack, noticing all the colors. Harper knows I only wear black or white shirts, so I’m guessing this is her attempt to get me to wear different colors. And maybe I will. Garret always says he’s tired of seeing me in black or white. I’m kind of sick of it myself.

“And these, too.” She hands me a couple sundresses. “These will be perfect for your summer in California. If I’d known you were doing that, I would’ve got you some bikinis.” She gets her phone out. “I’ll text my sister and have her save some for you.”

I don’t bother stopping her. She’s getting me those bikinis whether I want them or not, and it would be good to have some for the summer.

“I need to get over to Sean’s. Do you need help taking this stuff to your room?”

“No, I can handle it. Thanks again for all this. It’s like I’ve got a whole new wardrobe.”

“Free stuff is one of perks of having a celebrity in the family.”

Back in my room, I start trying stuff on. It’s fun getting new clothes. Growing up, I never had any. All my clothes came from the thrift store.

I try on the denim skirt first along with a red fitted t-shirt.

“Jade, are you in there?” Garret knocks on the door.

“Yeah. Come in.” I adjust my skirt as he walks in the room. “Hey. You want to go have lunch or something?”

His eyes drift over my body as he closes the door. “Or something sounds good. Where did you get the new clothes?”

“Harper’s sister was getting rid of them. But the skirt was a Christmas gift from Harper. Do you like it?” I spin around.

“Do I like it? Are you kidding? I love it.” He leads me to the bed, sits down, and places me on his lap. “Skirts are freaking awesome.” He runs his hand up and down my bare legs.

I laugh. “I didn’t know you liked them so much. She got me another one. Do you want to see it?”

I start to get up but he holds me down and kisses me as his hand continues up my leg under the skirt and straight to my panties. Now I get why he likes skirts.

“Garret, don’t you want to see my other skirt?”

“Surprise me with it next time. I’m liking this one right now.”

He kisses me again as he lays me down on the bed. His hand brushes my thigh as it heads right back under the skirt.

“Damn, Jade,” he says, his breathing heavy. “I can’t believe you never wore one of these for me before.”

From the way he’s reacting, I think he might like this skirt thing as much as I like doing it in the shower. Who knew a simple skirt could have such an effect on him? It makes me wonder what else he likes.

After we’re done with what Garret is now referring to as “skirt sex” I put my regular clothes back on.

“I’m definitely buying you more skirts,” he says as he watches me put away my new clothes. “Be sure to thank Harper for me.”

“She got me some sundresses, too.” I take one out and show it to him. It’s short and has tiny straps at the top.

Garret’s smiling. “You should let Harper pick out all your clothes.”

I hang the dress back in the closet. “She’s having her sister send me some bikinis for the summer. I don’t think I’ve ever worn a bikini.”

“When you get them, I expect a fashion show.”

“Hey, did you call that real estate agent yet?” I go and sit next to him on the bed.

“No, but I got the number from my dad. He actually thought it was a good idea that we live together this summer. He didn’t even care that we’re going to California. Can you believe that? I was expecting a lecture when I told him.”

“About that. I think we should pick somewhere else to go. Do you know how much beach rentals cost?”

“Yeah. My family rents a place on the beach every summer.”

“Harper said summer rentals in California are like $4000 a week. That’s way too much. I can’t make enough money to pay for that.”

“You’re not backing out on this, Jade. We both want to do this and I’m not letting your stubbornness prevent us from going.”

“But it costs a fortune. And that doesn’t even count food and—”

He kisses me while I’m still talking and keeps kissing me until I stop.

“We’re done talking about money. We’re going to California this summer and we’re getting a place right on the beach. And we’re getting a good place, not a cheap, run-down place.”

“Yeah, but—”

“Jade, I don’t want to hear it. You don’t get many opportunities like this. Once we graduate and get jobs we won’t be able to do stuff like this anymore. Now is the time to just have fun and not worry about shit. We’re going. And I don’t want to hear one more word about how much it costs, now or when we’re there. I have it covered. Rent, food, and anything else we need.”

“You know I can’t just go there and not pay for anything.”

“Why not? I swear, I don’t understand you and this money thing. Just let it go.”

“I can’t. I still feel like I owe you when you keep buying me things. Like I have this huge mountain of debt to pay back.”

“You don’t owe me anything. Stop thinking that. And stop saying it.”

“What if we broke up? Then I’d owe you.”

“We’re back to this now? Dammit, Jade. I thought you were done with this breakup shit.”

He’s mad because I spent all of last semester telling him I was sure we’d break up. We’d had several fights about it.

“I’m not planning on us breaking up, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. And if it does, I’ll have to spend the rest of my life paying you back. I already owe you a ton of money for those plane tickets.”

He takes a deep breath and lets it out. “Okay. This is the last time we’re talking about this. Just so you’re clear. If we break up, you will not owe me anything. You will not owe my family anything. You can leave free and clear with no debt. Do you need that in writing? Because I can have something official drawn up by my dad’s lawyer.”

I smile. “No. I believe you.”

“So you promise you won’t bring up the money issue ever again? And you’ll let me pay for stuff?”

“I can’t promise you that.”

“Then I’ll withhold sex until you do.”

The comment along with the stern look on his face makes me laugh.

“I’m serious, Jade.”

“There’s no way in hell you wouldn’t have sex with me. All I have to do is put on a skirt.”

He thinks about it. “Nope. I could resist you. That’s how tired I am of this money discussion. I just want it to end.”

I consider testing him and seeing if he actually would hold out on me. But I really don’t want that. And I did secretly make a New Year’s resolution to stop worrying so much about money.

“Okay. I promise.”

“Wow, that was easy.” He kisses me, then stays close to my lips. “Guess you’re not willing to give up sex. I must be good.”

“You’re okay,” I say, taking his ego down a notch. “I was really just trying to avoid arguing about it. That’s all.”

His cocky grin appears. “Yeah, I’m sure that was the reason.”

“Whatever.”

He backs away. “I don’t think you can do it.”

“Do what?”

“I don’t think you can go even a day without talking about how much stuff costs or complaining about how much I’m spending. I think there needs to be consequences for you breaking your promise. Otherwise, you’ll just keep breaking it.”

I cross my arms across my chest. “Consequences? Like what?”

He takes a moment to consider it. “Like if you talk about money, you have to wear a skirt. Or some lingerie. Or you have to strip for me like you did in New York.”

I relax my arms. “I’d do those things for you anyway. That’s not a punishment. But if you want to say it is, then fine. I’ll agree to that.”

“Then we’ve got a deal.” He throws his hands in the air. “Finally. No more talk about money.”

I hug him. “I love you, Garret.”

“Really? I thought after that you’d be mad at me.”

“Nope. You piss me off with the money thing, but I still love you.”

“Ha! You brought it up again. You owe me a striptease. My room. Tonight.”

“But it was just a comment, not a complaint!”

“I heard the word ‘money.’ Enough said.”

I sigh. “Okay. Your room. Tonight. Did I tell you I’m not very good with keeping promises?”

“Yeah.” He smiles. “That’s why I made the consequences. I have a feeling you’ll be stripping a lot for me now.”