At the very least, she’s getting a nice break with a cushy private hospital room to rest.
All on Devlin’s dime.
I cast a glance at him as we climb into the red Porsche. He adjusts his sunglasses and flicks on a playlist once his phone connects to the Bluetooth. A haunting lo-fi beat fills the car.
The gravel grinds beneath the tires as Devlin revs the engine and peels out of the community of misfits I’ve called home for the last several years.
Watching the trailer park shrink in the rear window as we drive off is weirdly bittersweet.
I’ve been looking forward to escaping this place for years. To go to college and land an opportunity to improve our lives. Is this what that freedom will feel like?
“You’ll get a neck cramp if you plan to sit like that the whole time.”
Huffing, I shift in the seat, plucking at the frayed edges of my cutoff shorts. We quickly leave the rougher parts of Ridgeview. Nicer houses fly by the window as we approach the Rockies.
Devlin seems relaxed. He slouches back in the driver’s seat, shifting gears like it’s second nature. One hand rests over the wheel, air drumming to the beat of the song playing. This one has more of a rock style mixed with some synth beats. I wouldn’t have pegged him for listening to stuff like this.
I twine a piece of denim around my finger to keep busy. I’m trying not to pick at my nails so much. The further the car climbs into the mountains, the more my stomach flutters with nerves.
“Since we have off on Monday, I’m going to see my mom.”
Devlin hums.
“Gemma texted me last night. Her and Lucas are driving down from Oak Ridge College for the weekend.”
I’m hoping to get some time to see Gemma, since Lucas lives across the lake from Devlin.
“Don’t tell Gemma about our deal.” Devlin shoots me a sidelong glance. “Or Lucas.”
I snort. “I don’t really talk to Lucas. And your rules are bullshit.”
“I’m serious. Don’t tell anyone. This isn’t the same as making you quack like a duck because it’s funny.”
“Whatever.”
I lean an arm against the window as we pull into the huge entrance of Silver Lake Forest Estates. My stomach turns inside out like the drop in a roller coaster. Devlin remains quiet as we wind through the community, passing tennis courts and a pool. I sneer at the sign for the rock climbing gym. These stuck up rich people have it all.
Devlin pulls through the iron gate at the front of his property a few minutes later, parking out front on the circular drive.
The huge modern contemporary meets cabin style mansion looms into the trees guarding it. In the daylight, it’s beautiful.
“Grab your shit.” Devlin saunters up the front steps, leaving me to haul my things by myself.
Narrowing my eyes, I hoist my duffel onto my shoulder, following Devlin into the house.
It may be beautiful and dripping in expensive taste, but it’s empty. The air inside the entrance is still and oppressive.
I peer up at the high ceiling with exposed beams and a modern chandelier made of glass and metal. It’s hard to believe it was only a few weeks ago Devlin pinned me to this door after catching me stealing his precious car.
Devlin doesn’t wait for me to take in the wonder of his wealth, continuing into the belly of the house without me. As I follow, I’m baffled. The house is so much bigger than the parties Gemma took me to last year at Lucas Saint’s, and his house is huge.
The kitchen is where I find Devlin. It’s just as luxurious as the first time I saw it, though I was a little distracted then. My attention cuts to the metal-backed stools he tied me to. The room looks like something out of an upscale interior design magazine with frosted glass-front cabinets and dark granite counters.
Devlin leans in the open fridge, sighing even though it’s full to the brim with food.
An eerie silence blankets the house.
I allow my duffel bag to drop at my feet on the cool tile. “Where are your parents?”
Devlin shuts the refrigerator and shrugs in a stilted way, like I’ve driven a spike into a nerve. He avoids me as he sidesteps around me to grab a beer from a smaller fridge at the wet bar on the other side of the room.
“Traveling for work, as usual. New York, last I heard.”
A flash of pain crosses his face before he smooths his stony veneer.
He lives here by himself? All alone?
There’s a tug in my chest that feels alarmingly like sympathy.
I scrape my fingers through my hair to fight it off. “I’ll get my other stuff from the car.”
Devlin takes a long sip of beer, lips wrapped around the mouth of the bottle as he watches me with hooded eyes.
On my way out I rub at my chest, but the pang of sadness doesn’t leave. I might have next to nothing in this world, fighting tooth and nail to survive day to day, but I’m not alone. I have my mom.
Doesn’t he have that?
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I mutter to myself, hitching the box of books on my hip.
Devlin has everything he wants under the sun. I can’t feel bad because the sad little rich boy sits in his lonely mountain tower alone. He’s an over privileged asshole, too accustomed to getting his way.
I can’t let myself feel bad.
Devlin can choke on his silver spoon for all I care.
I strengthen my resolve and make two trips to bring in the rest of my belongings, leaving them by the front door. Voices echo from the kitchen as I drop my backpack next to the box of books.
“It’s supposed to be hot as shit tomorrow.” It’s Bishop’s voice.
I find Devlin leaning over his phone at the island in the kitchen, peeling at the label on his half-finished beer bottle. He hums in response.
“I already talked to Lucas. Beach party tomorrow, dude. It’s gonna be lit.”.
Devlin meets my gaze as I linger in the doorway. “Beach party, huh?” His eyes skate down my body in a slow drag that makes my skin prickle with heat. “Yeah, sounds good. We’ll be there.”
“We?” I can hear Bishop’s eyebrows flying up through the phone by his intrigued tone. “Do you have a girl over? Like, you actually let a girl into your house instead of driving out to Peak Point to fuck?”
Bishop’s laughter fills the kitchen through the phone speaker.
“Bye,” Devlin says, jabbing the end call button. Sliding his amused gaze back to me, Devlin’s cocksure attitude rears its head. “Let me show you to your bedroom.”
The house isn’t only huge, it’s also a maze. Devlin showed me up the main staircase and pointed out a random guest room I can use. A shelf of artfully placed knickknacks drew my attention. Devlin said it was my room and I could do whatever with it. Pure elation spiraled through me as I moved the decor from the shelf, intent on giving my books a real bookcase.
After getting my things up a stupid amount of steps and slumping on a soft bed, I groan.
Damn, I’m getting slack. I need to pick up on my runs. The prospect of trail runs in this gated community is exciting. I bet there’s a nice trail that wraps around the huge lake behind Devlin’s house.
Devlin leans against my doorframe with mischief dancing in his dark eyes. He took great pleasure in watching me cart my stuff to my room. I’m glad I only brought the essentials.