Page 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

I notice an old lady getting up from a nearby bench. I hurry over and take her seat.

Everything around me seems to be spinning at a rapid pace. It’s like being on one of those carnival rides that spin you so fast you only see blurred versions of people as they go by.

I close my eyes for a moment, trying to calm down so I can think. I brought a small purse with me and I’m clutching it so tightly it’s making my hand cramp up. I open my eyes as my brain finally wakes up and realizes that I have a purse. And inside it is a phone! Damn! Why didn’t I think of that before? I’m not used to having a cell phone. Garret got me one a few weeks ago and I always forget I have it.

I get the phone out and turn it on. The battery’s almost dead. Note to Jade: Always charge your phone! I call Garret’s phone. It goes straight to voicemail. What does that mean? It’s turned off? He’s on the phone?

The battery symbol on my phone is flashing at me like it’s taunting me, reminding me what an idiot I am for not charging it. Sometimes I really hate technology.

I try Garret’s phone again before my battery dies completely. His phone rings repeatedly and then finally—finally!—he picks up.

“Jade, where are you?”

“I’m on a bench just down from the tree. Where are you?”

“I’m in front of the tree where I left you. Why did you—”

My phone dies before he can finish. I’m so mad at the phone I’m tempted to slam it against the pavement, but instead I shove it back in my purse. I get up and hurry back to Garret’s location, hoping he isn’t going to where I just left.

I spot him in the crowd and push past the people in front of me. When I reach him, I collapse into his arms, holding onto him and not letting go.

“Jade, why did you leave? I told you to stay there.”

“I did stay there, but this man came over and—”

Garret peels me off him and grabs my shoulders. “What man? What happened?”

“A man bumped into me and he uh—” I glance around and notice the security cameras all around us. Maybe I’m paranoid now, but the cameras are making me nervous. Who knows who’s watching us. “We need to get out of here. Did you call the driver?”

“Yeah, he’s down there waiting.” He points behind me at the street.

“Let’s go.” I grab Garret’s hand and pull him through the crowd until we’re at the car.

On the ride back to the apartment, my fear turns to anger. “Garret, where were you? I thought you were gone. It’s like you disappeared.”

“I just had to move down a little because the people next to me were so loud. I wasn’t that far from where I said I’d be.”

“What took you so long? How long does it take to call the driver?”

“As soon as I got off the phone with him my dad called so I picked up. He’s been texting me all day.”

“Why? Is something wrong?” I start to panic again.

“He was just checking in. He wanted to make sure we made here it okay.”

“Did your dad sound like he was worried about us? Or did he sound weird at all?”

“I don’t know. I couldn’t hear him that well. What’s with all the questions?”

“I’ll tell you when we get back.”

The driver drops us off at the apartment. As soon as we’re inside I tell Garret about the strange old man.

“I’m almost positive he was at the fundraiser,” I say as I take a water from the fridge. “And I know I saw him on TV at least once standing next to Sinclair.”

“Are you sure it was the same guy? It’s dark out and it’s hard to get a good luck at someone in the dark.”

“There were lights all around us. And he stood right in front of me, practically forcing me to look at him. Like he wanted me to see that it was him.”

“But then he just walked off?” Garret gets a bottle of soda, then takes a seat on one of the barstools next to the kitchen island. He’s being much calmer about this than I thought he would be.

“Yes. It was almost like a warning of some kind.” I pick Garret’s cell phone off the counter and hand it to him. “Call your dad. That man was at your house. Your dad might know him.”

Garret holds onto the phone but doesn’t call. “What did the guy look like?”

“Old. Probably in his seventies. White hair. Maybe 5’10 or 5’11.”

“Jade, almost every guy at the fundraiser looked like that. My dad won’t know who that is.” He sets the phone down and drinks his soda.

“Why aren’t you more worried about this? If this guy knows Sinclair, he could be dangerous.”

“But he didn’t do anything, so maybe it’s just a coincidence he bumped into you. Why would Sinclair’s guys come after you? He’s dead. There’s no reason to. If anything, they’d come after me to get back at my dad for what he did.”

“Yes! Exactly!” I reach for Garret’s hand and hold it tightly in mine. “That’s why I was so freaked out when I couldn’t find you. I thought they’d taken you. I was sure of it. I thought you were gone.” Before I can stop it, a tear runs down my cheek.

“Are you crying?” Garret asks.

“No,” I say, stubbornly.

“You’re crying because you thought someone took me?”

“I don’t know. Maybe.” I try to turn away, but he won’t let me. He gets off the barstool and pulls me into his arms.

“I guess you really do love me.”

“You know I do. I tell you that all the time.”

“Yeah, but you also push me away all the time so I’m not always sure.”

“I love you, okay? And you scared the crap out of me by hiding from me like that. Don’t ever do it again.”

“Jade, I wasn’t hiding from you.” He lets me go and wipes the tear from my cheek with his thumb. “If you’re really worried about this guy, we’ll leave and go back to my house. Or I’ll get Brian, my dad’s security guy, to come down here.”

“No. Forget it. You’re right. If the guy really wanted to do something to me he would’ve done it, not just walked off.” I picture the old man’s face in my head again. “Maybe it wasn’t the same man who was at the fundraiser. A lot of old guys look the same.”

“Still, if you’d feel better being back at my house, we’ll leave. We’ll just try this again next New Year’s Eve.”

The thought of being back at his house with Katherine confirms my decision. “I want to stay here. I don’t want to go back to your house.”

“I need to get a pain pill. I’ll be right back.”

While he’s gone, I bring our drinks to the living room and take a seat on the leather couch. He comes back in the room and I hand him his soda as he sits down.

“Garret, I need to tell you something.”

“That doesn’t sound good.” He takes a drink and swallows his pill.

“I overhead a conversation between your dad and Katherine.”

He leans back on the couch, still holding his soda, and waits for me to continue.

“I got up early this morning to get a glass of water downstairs and I heard the two of them arguing in their room. So I kind of listened in.”

“Why would you listen in?” Garret sounds mad. I probably should’ve kept this to myself.

“Because it sounded like they were talking about me. And they were. Katherine told your dad she wanted me out of the house and that I was never allowed back.”

“Did she give a reason?”

“She uh . . . she said she didn’t want trash like me in the house.”

“That bitch actually called you that?” Garret bolts up from the couch and goes to the kitchen.

“Yes. And she banned me from seeing Lilly again.”

He returns with his cell phone.

“What are you doing? You can’t call her!” I try to grab his phone but he holds it away from me.

“She needs to know she can’t talk to you that way. And she can’t ban you from seeing Lilly or staying at the house. I can’t believe she fucking said that.” He starts calling, but I snatch the phone away before he can finish.

“She didn’t say it to my face. She said it to your dad. I told you I overheard them. And your dad totally stuck up for me, which made Katherine even more angry. That’s why I don’t want to go back there right now.”

Garret looks like he might punch in a wall. “I fucking hate that woman. She’s ruined my life. And my dad’s life. And Lilly’s life.”

“She said something else. She said I was the reason for the problem they’re dealing with now. What problem? Do you know what she’s talking about?”

“She’s probably blaming you for whatever’s going on with my dad. I told you he’s in trouble for what he did to Sinclair.”

“I know, but what does that mean? Is someone trying to kill him?”

“No. These people like you to suffer. Killing you is too easy. Instead they attack your company. Or your reputation.” He pauses. “Or they kidnap your little girl. That’s why my dad is so on edge right now.”

“And it’s all my fault. I guess Katherine has reason to hate me and want me gone.”

“None of it was your fault, Jade. And my dad will take care of it, like he always does.”

“Who are these people? Does your dad even know who wants revenge?”

“I don’t know. I don’t even know if it’s about revenge. That day I overheard him on the phone he said something about how he knew he would be punished for what he’d done, but he didn’t say what that meant.”

“So how do you know you’re safe? Or how does your dad know? Maybe these people are planning to do something to you and not Lilly.”

Garret leans over and kisses me. “They’re not going to do anything to me.”

I’m not convinced. I don’t know what Garret’s dad is involved in, but I don’t like the fact that he has enemies or people looking to punish him for what he did to Sinclair. They could easily target Garret. Lilly’s locked away in her house all the time. She’s safe. It would be way easier for them to do something to Garret.

“You want to watch TV before bed?” Garret asks.

“Yeah, okay.” I snuggle beside him as he turns on the TV.

He finds a movie to watch and I try to focus on it, but instead my mind keeps imagining bad people trying to hurt Garret. After an hour of that, I force myself to stop thinking about it. I can’t keep assuming bad things will happen. It’s what I used to do and I’m trying to change that about myself. Everything will be okay. Garret will be okay. When we get in bed later, I keep telling myself that until I fall asleep.

* * *

The next day we sightsee but cut our itinerary down to just a few tourist spots. I’m worried that Garret’s overdoing it. I don’t want to make his injury worse or make him run around New York City when he’s in pain. That night, he offers to take me to Rockefeller Center again to see the tree, but I insist we stay home. As much as I’d love to see the tree, I’d rather have Garret rest and get better.

Thursday morning I wake up to the feel of kisses on the back of my neck and Garret’s strong arm around my waist. “Happy New Year’s Eve,” he says softly.

“What time is it?”

“Nine. You can go back to sleep if you want.”

“Then why did you wake me up?”

He laughs. “Purely selfish reasons.” He slips his hand under the hem of my pajama shorts. The feel of his warm hand moving along my lower abs instantly wakes me up.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I say, innocently.

“I’m a guy. And it’s morning.” He tugs me closer against him and I feel what he’s referring to. “And you’re freaking hot and right here next to me.” His warm breath tickles my neck. “You smell good. You feel amazing. What can I say? I had to at least try.”

I yawn and adjust my pillow. “I think I’ll just go back to sleep.”

“Damn. Seriously?” He sighs. “Okay.”

He sounds so disappointed it makes me laugh. I flip around to face him. “I’m kidding. You know I won’t turn you down, especially since I have to go without you all next week.”

He eases me down on my back and starts kissing me, then stops suddenly.

“Hey. Why’d you stop?” I sound annoyed but it’s only because I was really liking his kisses.

He has this huge smile on his face, which I find extremely sexy, especially combined with his tousled morning hair. “I love you. So freaking much. You know that, right?”

I nod, smiling. “Yeah. I know. I love you, too. Now are we going to do this or what?” I sit up a little and rip my shirt off, tossing it on the floor.

He laughs. “And I thought I was the impatient one.” He tosses the covers back, then leaves kisses along my stomach as he slips my shorts off. I close my eyes, arching back to stretch a little.

Even if I wasn’t leaving on Saturday, I still wouldn’t turn him down. I love this way too much. In fact, I wish he’d wake me up like this every day.

* * *

Later that morning, we go out for an early lunch, then pack up our things and head to the hotel in Times Square. The streets are already packed with people waiting to see the ball drop. It’s a cold, windy day and a light sleet is falling. Everyone on the street is bundled up in coats, hats, and gloves. Standing out there all day and night does not look like a fun way to spend New Year’s Eve.

“Are you ready?” Garret asks as he slides the key card into the door of our hotel room.

“Ready for what? I’ve seen a hotel room before.”

But it’s not just a hotel room. He opens the door to a massive suite. We walk into an open space that includes a kitchen, a small dining area, and a living room with a long couch and two chairs. Across from the couch is a wall of windows that face Times Square, giving us a perfect view of the ball drop tonight. Off to the side is a master bedroom with a separate sitting area near the window. Next to it is the biggest bathroom I’ve ever seen. The bathtub is almost as large as a hot tub. The shower could fit at least five people in it.

“Garret, this place is huge.”

“Check this out.” He flips a switch on the wall and a TV appears in the bathroom mirror. He takes a remote control from the counter and tosses it to me. “Try it.”

I point the remote at the mirror and start flipping channels. “This is crazy! But come on. Do people really need a TV in the bathroom?”

“It’s a want, not a need.” He comes over and takes the remote back, shutting the TV off. He takes my hand and leads me back to the living room. “I had them make you a concession stand for tonight.” He points to a basket of snack foods in the kitchen. “Obviously, I would’ve done a much better job but I didn’t have time.”

“It’s great. Thank you.”

“And . . .” He picks up a bottle from a silver ice bucket. “Fake champagne for our toast at midnight.”

“I think that’s real champagne.”

He reads the bottle. “I told them no alcohol. What the hell? I’ll call the front desk and have them replace this.”

“It’s okay. I actually want to try some. It’s New Year’s Eve. You gotta have champagne.”

“But, Jade, you don’t drink.”

“I’ve been thinking about that a lot and I’m not as worried about it anymore. I mean, my mom was only an alcoholic because of those pills that doctor gave her. The pills made her an addict. It wasn’t genetic. Her parents didn’t have problems with alcohol.”

“I know, but still. You’ve only had alcohol one time. And it didn’t end well.”

“That was totally different. This time I’ll be with you and we’ll just have one glass.” I take the bottle from him and set it back in the bucket. Then I drag him to the couch to sit down with me. “I’d rather have my first real drinking experience be here with you than at some college party. And it’s not like I plan to get drunk. It’s just a glass of champagne.”

“I’m still going to call down and get the nonalcoholic version just in case you change your mind.” He gets his phone out and calls the front desk.

When he’s done, I take his phone and set it on the table, then lean over and kiss him. “You’re a really nice boyfriend, you know that?”

“I just want you to have a great New Year’s Eve.”

“This is more than great. This is an awesome New Year’s Eve. What do you have planned for Valentine’s Day? On second thought, let’s skip that one. I’ve never liked Valentine’s Day.”

He nudges me. “We’re not skipping Valentine’s Day. It’s a holiday and I’m making you celebrate all of them. Even President’s Day. And Arbor Day.”

I run my hand along his soft, black t-shirt that fits snugly over his muscular chest. “So how’s your gunshot wound?”

He smiles. “It’s fine. And from now on, you should ask me that , instead of ‘How’s your chest?’ It sounds better. More masculine.”

I shake my head. “Whatever. Is it really better or are you just saying that?”

“It’s really better. In fact this morning I didn’t even take a pain pill.”

“Good. Because you were starting to worry me with the numb arm and then the constant pain.” I climb onto his lap, straddling him and giving him a hug. My actions cause movement in his pants.

“I’m just hugging you, Garret. That’s it.”

“I can’t help what he does. He’s got a mind of his own.”

I sit back, my gaze drifting from Garret’s bright blue eyes to his sexy smile. “I guess if your chest, or gunshot wound, is better, we could maybe try out the bed.”

He grins. “Or we could just stay here. Try out the bed later.”

“On the couch? That’s gross. People sit here.”

His eyebrows raise. “Like it hasn’t been done before?”

“Eww.” I start to scoot off his lap. He reaches around my lower back, keeping me on his lap and pulling me closer until I’m pressed up against him. He kisses me, then moves his hand to the back of my neck and takes the kiss deeper. My concerns about the couch quickly disappear.

After a few minutes, he stops. “Get up for a minute.”

I scoot off his lap. He stands up and takes his shirt off and lays it over the couch to keep it clean. At this point I really don’t care, but his attempt to keep it clean is very sweet. He slips my sweater off and unhooks my bra as I get to work on his pants.

I hear some sirens out on the street and glance behind me. “Garret, we’re right by the window.”

“Yeah. And we’re thirty stories up. Nobody can see.”

“They could if they had binoculars and were in a really tall building. Or a helicopter.”

He laughs. “You worry way too freaking much about that shit. You always think people are going to see us or walk in on us.” He tugs my jeans down and I step out of them.

“Because I don’t want people watching or—” I stop when I feel his hand doing something seriously amazing between my legs.

“I obviously need to do a better job of distracting you.” He looks right at me and smiles. “Now what were you saying?”

“I don’t remember,” I say, bringing his face to mine and kissing him.

After a few minutes, he slowly sits down and I straddle him again and try out this new position.

When we’re done, he smiles at me. “So what do you think? Better that time?”

“It wasn’t as tiring if that’s what you’re asking.” I get off him and we both get dressed.

He pulls me back on his lap. “Good. Because I don’t plan on going anywhere today, so if you’re up for it I figure we could do that a few more times before midnight.”

“A few more times? I didn’t think you could do it a few more times.” I’m totally kidding but he takes it seriously.

He huffs out a breath. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

I shrug and adjust my sweater, trying not to laugh. “I thought guys could only do it once or twice a day. And we’ve already done it twice today.”

“I’m 19, not 40. I can do it a lot more than that.”

“Oh. Sorry. I don’t know how all that works.”

He rolls his eyes at me but smiles. “What I was going to say before you insulted my manhood is that I’m really going to miss you when you’re gone next week.”

“It’s just a week.”

“Yeah, but I have no distractions to keep my mind off you. No school. No swimming. Nothing.”

“You have physical therapy.” I half smile.

“I’m done with that now. I just have to do the exercises he taught me for range of motion and then check in with him in a couple weeks.”

“How were you able to heal so fast? What was in that shot the doctor gave you? Because whatever it was, it really worked.”

Garret reaches over and adjusts the pillow on the couch, which doesn’t need adjusting. “I don’t know. I didn’t ask.”

I take the pillow from him. “What’s going on with you? You always act weird whenever I ask you about this doctor. And now you’re acting weird when I ask about the shot.”

“I’m not acting weird.” His eyes remain on the couch.

“Garret, I know you’re hiding something from me and you know I won’t let you get away with it. So tell me. What is it?” I get off his lap and sit next to him, waiting for an answer.

He sighs, then looks at me like he wants me to just forget about it. But I won’t let him keep secrets from me.