by Nora Cobb
“Where are you staying?” I ask. “You’re not staying in that suite with Arielle and Lucas?”
“Ew, gross. Are you kidding me?” Vicki wipes her face on the sleeve of her sweat jacket. She looks disgusted by the suggestion. “You guys have lives that would make reality television shows look tame. Arielle rented me a hotel room. I’m staying there.”
“By yourself?” I ask.
The defiant look is back as the walls spring up around her. She stares at me with hard blue eyes, and I don’t know what else to do. Vicki needs to return home, but home isn’t appealing.
“I’m leaving in a few days. I want you to hang with me.”
She looks down the long hallway, and Anthony has just reached the door at the far end. The guy seems shaken up. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve thrashed him. I’m glad this time Jacob stepped in, or Vicki would’ve seen more. She’d see me being the bully like our mother.
“Troy,” she says, “I think I’m going to stay with Arielle while you work your own shit out. Okay?”
Vicki walks out of the service door, and I’m still wondering why she was down in the basement.
Jacob holds my shoulder because I’m about to lose it. “Want to share your thoughts before you freak out?”
I take a deep breath first. “I’m in love with a woman who loves my best friends, and my sister is straying too close to the edge.”
“Yeah.” He watches the exit door slowly close. “I wonder if it might be better to give up the wealth, the status, and the crazy parents in exchange for a life that’s our own.”
CHAPTER 17
Natalie
My stomach is in a hard twist, and I can barely eat breakfast as I worry about Lucas and those photos. I sit with the other girls in a conference room the hotel has set up for Cora’s send-off breakfast. Our luggage is carried down to the lobby while we dine on fruit salad, croissants, and made-to-order omelets. The food should smell delicious, but it’s turning my stomach as I keep checking my phone in my lap. I want Lucas to call or even text and let me know that it will be okay. It’s not okay. We let our guard down long enough for Arielle to win the next move.
“Nat, you should eat something.” Beth leans against my shoulder. “How long is the flight to Tampa?”
“Not that long. Less than an hour, I think, with check-in and everything.”
“Come on, champ,” Beth smiles. “Take a bite of something.”
I glance over at Cora, who is amazingly radiant, as she jokes with Lexi and Tabby. A lot of shit happened during her shower. Still, overall it was a social success as the newcomers competed with old money for rank at Montlake. It wasn’t my plan initially to use Cora’s party as my own launch, but when she asked me to replace what would have been Arielle’s spot, I knew what I had to do. And I’m glad I did it.
“Goodbye, Natalie.” Chelsey Hughes waves, and a pageant worthy smile is glued to her face. “Good luck in Tampa.”
I force the corners of my mouth to turn up as I wave back. Chelsey was once one of my worst tormenters and spoke loudly about low-class people whenever I was in earshot, but not anymore. One by one, all the in-girls approach our table and say their goodbyes as if they’re paying tribute before they head off to the airport.
“What a difference a day makes?” Beth quotes a classic song, and I smile with satisfaction. Arielle knows I want Lucas, but I know that Arielle expects to always be on top. Maybe, I have something to bargain with.
“I have to leave for the airport,” Cora stands up from her chair and gives me a full hug. There’s hardly any space between us as she closes her eyes and pats me on the back. “I think it’s wonderful that you’re going to school in Florida.” She touches my hand. “I’ll call you when I’m down here to visit.”
I doubt it, but I’m okay with that. I’m starting to like Cora, but I can’t really picture us being buddies. Not the way I am with Beth.
“That would be nice, Cora,” I reply. “Have a safe trip.”
Cora gives Beth a tight hug, and then leaves. My mood lifts for a moment, but it drops again when I check my phone. I don’t dare contact Lucas. I wonder if he’s even still in the hotel.
“No word yet?”
I shake my head.
“You’re still going to Tampa?”
I nod. “I promised Uncle Phil that my trip down here wouldn’t be all play.” I also promised Uncle Phil that I was going to stay out of trouble. I toss my napkin onto the table and stand up from my chair.
I swear I’m going to start crying when Beth wraps her arms around me. Why is it like that? I can be strong and keep it together until someone I care about gives me a hug. The tears start, but I brush them away. Losing Lucas reminds me too much of the other losses I’ve had to endure. But it’s not the end. I can still win him back.
I pull away from Beth and stiffen my backbone because I have to get my shit together if I’m going to beat Arielle.
Holding my shoulders, Beth narrows her eyes. “Are you going to be okay?”
I nod. “As long as you stay by my side.”
“I won’t be fooled again, Nat.” Beth checks her phone. “I better go, or I’ll miss the girlie limo to the airport.” She lifts her nose in the air and talks in an affected accent. “I wouldn’t want to be seen arriving in a cab.”
We’re giggling as Jacob and Troy walk into the room. Jacob looks as glum as I’ve been feeling all morning. He cares about Lucas, but I sense something is going on, which makes me anxious to talk to him alone.
“Ready?” asks Troy. In seconds, we’re downstairs, departing in our respective rides. I wave to Beth as I get into a town car with Jacob and Troy. In the back seat, I sit up straight between them, but they both still tower over me without even trying. Jacob stares out the passenger window, but I doubt that he’s even focusing on the hotel. I place my hand on his knee, and he turns to look at me. Something is wrong as I stare into his hurt eyes.
His forehead creases, and he sighs. “I won’t be going with you to Tampa. Troy will take you instead.”
“What? Why? What’s happened?”
Jacob shrugs his shoulders as he looks out the window again. “My dad canceled all my credit cards. I have to fly back home today, or I’m cut off completely. He thinks I’m looking at Tampa for myself.”
“But you aren’t,” I reply.
Jacob looks at me and smiles sheepishly. “I was giving it some thought.” He takes my hand and holds it. The feeling of my hand in his gives me comfort. It doesn’t make me want to cry like Beth’s hug. No, touching Jacob makes me feel stronger and grounded. No matter what happens, we will stand by each other.
“You can always move in with me,” I reply.
Jacob kisses my hand. “I’ll keep it in mind, but I’ll be okay, Natalie. I have a few backup plans in the pipeline.”
The car stops at the terminal, and I lean forward to look out the window at the harried people rushing to make their flights. Jacob jumps out of the car and grabs his bag out of the trunk. I follow him to the curb and tug at his sleeve. Jacob smiles that goofy smile that still melts my knees. I reach up and wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him with all my might. He places his hand on the small of my back and pulls me toward him as tight as he can. I feel that heat swelling up between us, and I have to pull back to breathe. I wish we had more time.
“I have to go, Nat.” He lets me go. “Call me when you’re back home.”
I only have a moment to watch him walk away before I have to hurry back to the car. The car pulls off as soon as I shut the door, and I avert my eyes from Troy’s. I feel moved by what just happened, but I’m not on the verge of tears. Strangely, I feel hopeful that once we arrive home, maybe things will sort themselves out. Well, with a little kick and a shove.
“Hang in there, Natalie,” Troy tells me as the car pulls into traffic. “Jacob is a survivor.”
I nod. “Yes, I know that.”
Troy grins. “Like you.”
I can’t h
elp but smile back. “Where are we heading?”
“Jacob booked a private jet. We’re flying out of VDF.”
Once the patient driver maneuvers through the overwhelming airport traffic, we arrive at Tampa Executive Airport without any other delays. The car pulls up to a Learjet 45, and it amazes me that the car can park next to the plane. We’re the only two on board, though there are six seats for passengers. I pick out a comfy seat toward the back that swivels three-hundred and sixty degrees and leans back. I let out a ridiculously large squeal as the seat flattens down into a prone position. I struggle to get off it and stand, panting, beside it. The pilot laughs, but Troy doesn’t dare.
“How’s it going, Natalie?” he smiles.
The pilot walks over and puts the seat upright again. “We’ll be taking off as soon as we get clearance.” He tips the brim of his hat. “Welcome aboard.”
I can’t help but smile at my foolishness, and I thank him before he walks away. Troy sits in the seat across from mine, and we buckle our seat belts, preparing for takeoff.
“Pretty fancy,” I say to him.
He shrugs. “It’s a nicer rental than most of the ones I’ve flown in. The pilots are excellent.”
Will I ever get used to this world? Troy treats luxury as his birthright, while I’m grateful for every freebie I get. There’s nothing wrong with being grateful, and I stretch out my legs, careful not to tip the chair all the way back once we reach cruising altitude.
Troy is quiet, and I glance over to where he sits beside me. We’re side by side with only the narrow aisle between us. There is a string of text messages on his phone, and I’m curious to know what has been going on since Vicki left with Arielle.
“What’s going on in your world?” I ask.
He looks up from his phone and puts it into his travel bag. “Sorry, that was rude of me. A lot is going on.”
I shake my head. “Don’t apologize. I have a lot on my mind too. What’s on yours?”
Troy sighs and sits back in his seat, allowing it to recline. It’s funny, but sitting with our feet up alone in our own little bubble makes me feel relaxed and closer to him. I want to know if he’s okay and how’s Vicki holding up.
“It’s Vicki again. I made sure she got to the airport this morning at six. Dad’s checking in. He’s going to pick her up at the airport and have a talk.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Your dad doesn’t seem like the disciplinarian on the team.”
Troy laughs and then sighs. “He steps up when he has to. Vicki has to stop running away. She’s not an adult yet. No matter what she may think.”
“How does your dad feel about her coming down here with Arielle?”
“Arielle has been a friend to the family since the day Vicki was born, even though we don’t get along now. Vicki doesn’t have the same relationship with Arielle that I do. She still views her as a friend.”
“She should have told your parents.”
“My parents, or rather my mother, is trying to marry Vicki off to Connor Bouchard.”
“Aren’t they a little too young for that?” I catch myself, realizing that it’s not about love; it’s all business to these people. “I’m sorry. I forgot.”
“My mother’s upset. She worked hard to set up the official first meeting between Vicki and Connor.”
“They don’t know each other?”
“Yes, they do, but this would’ve been their first official meeting as an intended couple. It’s a long drawn-out process with professional photographs taken, and a proper sit-down dinner. Families are usually invited ... but the Bouchards agreed to Cora’s wedding shower to get the two of us out of the way.”
“And why would they want you two out of the way?”
“I don’t like the idea, and I know that Vicki hates it.”
I remember the day I met Connor Bouchard. The kid is a bit of a tool, but hopefully, he’ll grow out of it. Though I doubt he’ll ever be as grown-up as Vicki. In fact, Vicki makes us all look like preschoolers playing with crayons and dolls.
“Wouldn’t Cora know about this?”
He shrugs his shoulders. “We haven’t discussed it. At one point, I thought I was going to marry her.”
“But you don’t want to?” I ask.
“No, I’m not interested in her.”
Troy reaches out and touches my hand lightly, barely grazing my skin. I reach over, and we hold hands across the aisle. For a moment, we’re both lost in thought. I’m glad for his touch because I’m still reeling from everything that’s happened this week and what’s yet to come.
“I guess it was nice in a way for Arielle to save Vicki from the drama. It’s probably the first nice thing she’s ever done for someone.”
“I don’t trust her, Natalie. And you should never trust Arielle.”
“I can’t imagine thinking about marriage at such a young age.”
Troy averts his gaze, and for a moment, he looks at the sky passing by the window. We’re above the clouds in clear blue skies and it’s so peaceful being with him. A few months ago, I would’ve been terrified and angry at the thought of even being left alone with Troy. But now, I’m relieved he’s here. I’m glad I’m not going to Tampa alone.
“You keep slipping off into your thoughts.” I tug at his hand, and he looks at me, smiling.
“I’m thinking about you,” he says. “I spoke to Jacob and Lucas, and they seem okay with us. But I can’t figure out how this is going to work in the long run.”
My body stiffens against the seat. “What do you mean?” I ask.
“I mean marriage. You can’t marry all three of us.”
“I know marriage is important to your families,” I reply, “but how can they defend the horrible effect it’s having on Lucas? And I hate to admit it, even Arielle. She’s gotten a lot worse since the marriage.”
“I don’t see a way around it, at least not for me. My parents will expect it. For Lucas, and now, Jacob, it won’t be a problem.”
“Maybe,” I sigh. “I don’t have to choose.”
***
Troy stays with me while I take the campus tour of the University of Tampa. I have to say that it would be wonderful to attend a school where the sun shines every day. I get a chance to see the buildings where science classes are held, plus one of the older students takes us to the marine lab near the beach.
It’s late, and I haven’t given a whole lot of thought about getting to the airport and returning home. I’m anxious to get back, but the relaxed feeling of being in Florida keeps me from wanting to do anything else but enjoy myself.
“I booked us a room on the beach,” Troy tells the upperclassman when she asks if we need a ride back to the campus. Troy sees the surprised look on my face, and quickly adds. “It’s a two-room suite.”
My shoulders relax, and though I told him that I did want to see him, I don’t think he should expect anything much else than that. He booked us into a small boutique hotel right on the beach. The hotel is amazingly cool, with kitschy décor that reflects the art scene in Tampa. Our two rooms are side by side with an adjoining door that we leave open. I change into shorts and my new red UT T-shirt I bought at the school store. Troy bought one in black that looks cool against his tan.
When he asks me if I want to go out to dinner, I flop down onto my double bed. “I want to just lie here and not get up until it’s seventy degrees in Jersey.”
Troy stretches out in the overstuffed chair beside my bed, resting his feet on the edge of my bed. “I’m hungry,” he says, “and you’ve hardly eaten today. What if I just order a pizza?”
My head pops up. “I could do pizza.”
Smiling, he grabs his phone, and in less than thirty minutes, we’re eating the best extra-cheese pizza I’ve ever had from Eddie and Sam’s.
Troy laughs. “It’s good, but you’re just saying that because you’re hungry.”
I push a bag of garlic knots toward him. “Help me eat these, please. I don’t want to be the only on
e with bad breath.”
He takes a whiff of the paper bag, spotted with grease, and shakes his head.
“Go on.” I poke the heel of his foot with my big toe. “Try one, rich boy.”
“Is that my new tag?” He pops one in his mouth and scowls. “It’s just dough soaked in garlic.”
“Are you sure you even grew up in Jersey?”
He smiles, but I can tell by the look in his eyes that he’s about to say something serious. Now I can read his facial expressions like a book I’ve read a hundred times.