“I’m not, but I will be. You were right, I can’t just leave, not because of some guy. He isn’t worth it. I just have to get my foolish heart to listen to my head, and then I’ll be fine.” She goes quiet, but under her breath I can hear her whisper, “I’ll be fine.”
27
New York
Things aren’t back to normal between me and D, but Rome wasn’t built in a day, and our friendship can’t be fixed in one either. I mean, technically it’s been eight days and I’ll be leaving for New York the day after next. I’m scared and nervous as hell, but at least I’ll have Tucker with me and Maddox has helped me to get a plan made up, with projections and other things I’m not sure I fully understand. I still don’t know why he seemed so surprised that I would ask him. I mean, who else would I go to? He is in my business class, and he’s picking it up a lot better than I am, plus he’s my study buddy and friend. No one else even came to mind.
I’m sitting in my room, waiting until it’s late enough to go to bed. If Tucker isn’t here by ten, then more than likely he won’t be coming over tonight. It isn’t as though we spend every night together, and I enjoy the odd night I get to myself. I don’t know if he does it for himself or me, but I’m still grateful for it. Not that I’m going to say that to him, God knows how he’ll take it.
My door opens and I realize that tonight will not be one of those nights as I try to make sure I don’t look disappointed before getting off my bed and walking toward the door to meet him at the threshold.
“Hey, I wasn’t sure if I’d be seeing you tonight.” That feels like a stupid thing to say now that it’s out there.
“I think it will be best if we have a little chat before I get started with all the things I want to do with that tight little body of yours.” His words have my toes curling, but I’m worried about what this little chat will be about.
“Sure thing, do you want to sit on the bed or the sofa?”
“The bed will be fine,” he replies coolly as he makes a quick work of the buttons on his shirt, and my mouth is pooling as it hits the floor. He’s just standing here, bare chested.
He smirks before slipping his shoes off and sitting down on the mattress, with his back leaning against the headboard. I sit down beside him, until we’re shoulder to shoulder, and try to not make assumptions about what this could be over.
“Is everything okay?” I ask, hesitating but wanting to get this over with at the same time.
“Not really, no.” My spine bristles, but I try to calm down. “I won’t be able to accompany you to New York, unfortunately there is some business I must attend to down in Philly. Time is of the essence and I can’t put it off, not that I need to of course,” he quickly adds that last part, as if I need the reminder I’m nobody to him.
“Does that mean my trip is cancelled now? I mean, I know I can’t go on my own, so I’m assuming it is.” Why don’t I feel as disappointed as I had expected by this revelation? Did I not want to go?
“No, you’re still going. It was set up by Sir, so there’s no way you can miss it. It just means that someone else will escort you.” He rubs at the back of his neck as a dark look passes over his face. “You will be going with Emmet. Get ready for a fun-filled week, Luna. You’ll be at the Prince’s mercy.”
Well… Damn.
I didn’t want my bags to be carried down for me, so I’m sitting on the front steps, waiting for Emmet and the car that will take us to New York. We’re set to leave in a few minutes, and I’m surprised I haven’t seen him yet. For that matter, I haven’t seen Darius either. I thought he would have been joining us, so why isn’t he here?
A black Dodge Charger with fully tinted windows has pulled up, and I can’t believe this car is for us. I mean, it has to be for someone else, right?
The window winds down and Emmet is staring at me with his brow arched. Shit, am I supposed to get in that thing? Why is he driving it? I am so confused right now.
“Come on, Star. We haven’t got all day,” he says with a grin, and I pick my mouth up off the ground and walk over to the car. The trunk pops open, and I place my bag inside before walking over to the passenger door and climbing inside.
“I thought we’d be going in the standard car,” I say, once I have my seat belt on and he’s pulling away from the Academy doors.
“I rarely have time to drive these days, besides my guards will follow behind us. We won’t be needing your personal guard for this trip, so at least that’s one less person from the ‘I hate Emmet’ club.”
I’m working hard on keeping my features impartial, I don’t want him to see how disappointed I am to learn that Darius won’t be with us.
“Okay, whatever you think is best,” I say respectfully, and I can see him glance at me from the corner of his eye, before returning them back to the road.
“So, a meeting with my father’s team, how did you swing that one?” I can’t tell if it’s a loaded question, or if he’s just curious. Either way, it would probably be in my best interests to answer him.
“He offered it to me, when I had dinner with Sir, Aeron, Maria, and Aeron’s mom.”
“I see, well I’m just going to say that I don’t like this one bit. But it isn’t as though I can do anything about it, so…”
“Why don’t you like it?” Don’t ask questions, it’s such a rookie mistake.
“Because I don’t want you having any interactions with my old man. It doesn’t sit well with me. So, you met Maria, what did you think of her?” His lip curls as he says her name, and his eyes seem so lifeless.
“She was nice, friendly, and seemed genuinely interested in me. I get the impression that you don’t like her much.”
“Well, I guess she’s better than wife number two. Now she was a right bitch, a gold digger to boot, and hated the idea of being a stepmother. Maria is nice, I guess, but she’s a moronic woman who needs to wake up and smell the roses. Stupid women drive me insane, yet I’m constantly surrounded by them.” I bristle at his words, but I’m trying my hardest to keep my opinions to myself. I don’t like him speaking of Maria like this, though.
“She didn’t come across idiotic to me, but I only had dinner with her.” Well done with defending her. I didn’t think I was supposed to!
“She’s still with my father, that makes her an idiot. After everything he puts her through and all the messed up shit he does, she still looks at him as though he hung the moon, and dotted the sky with the stars himself. It’s ridiculous. I don’t understand why everyone is so taken in by him, it’s not like he’s the only rich man around.” He’s so passionate about his hatred for Sir. I can’t believe he’s even saying all of this to me. Is it even allowed?
Of course, it isn’t allowed, and please, Luna, just stay quiet. If you only listen to one thing I have to say, make it this.
“What? You have nothing to say on the matter? Come now, Luna, you must have an opinion, surely.”