Page 76 of Knight

“Cabo?” There’s no way I’m leaving Willow behind on Christmas. “Uh, I’ll let you know.”

She pats my back again before walking up the stairs, “Don’t be late for class!” She calls.

Allie rolls her eyes and I take a seat next to her in the kitchen. There’s a sandwich in front of me but I’m not going to eat it. Can’t if I tried. It’s like my throat closes up and forces me not to swallow.

“Jo?” My sister speaks up.

“Low?” I answer, and I hope she’s asking if I’m gonna finish my sandwich.

“There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

Should I worry? I’m worried. “Oh-kayyy, what’s up?”

“Bella asked me to Marseille for Christmas,” she blurts it all out in one go. “And, I want to go.” She takes a deep breath, one eye open before she keeps babbling, but the more she does, the more my heart breaks. “Diana and Marguerette will be there and Penelope and it’s like, unheard of for a newbie to get asked to go with these guys. Especially not someone from The Grove and I know it doesn’t sound like a huge deal but it is, so—”

“Okay, okay,” I say, wanting her to stop. The more she begs for it, the worse it is. I was looking forward to a Christmas that didn’t involve screaming foster parents or lining up at the soup kitchen. But I wanted that with my sister. “Sure. Marseille sounds cool.”

“Really?” Willow beams way too hard. But seeing her happy makes it easier to let her go. “I mean, if I’m with Bella and you’re in Cabo then at least we won’t have to go to any stupid Christmas parties with the Archibalds.”

She has a point. If Willow and I stay in Eden, chances are it won’t be the quiet Christmas I’m hoping for. Chances are, the Archibalds want to play us like dolls and have us dress up in poofy dresses for Christmas photo-ops. I cringe at the idea, shuddering at the image of my sister and me in prissy white gowns.

“You’re right,” I say. “Go. Have fun. It’s cool, Low.”

Her grin widens, eyes beaming like two large brown saucers. “Yes!” She hoists a fist in the air but when she does, she knocks over the glass of apple juice beside her. It spills forward onto her shirt, making Allie jump out of her seat.

“Ohmygod!” Willow’s hands raise beside her head, apple juice all over her uniform. “I’m so sorry!”

Allie laughs, “Here, I’ll give you another shirt. You Rowland girls wear more of my uniforms than I do.” Allie leads Willow out of the kitchen, leaving Christian and me on the ground floor.

He’s already eaten through his sandwich and he’s reaching for a slice of watermelon in the bowl of fruit in front of him. “So, whaddya say?” he asks.

“What?”

“Christmas in Cabo.” Christian hops over a seat, sitting next to me and turning my stool so I’m facing him. I’m sandwiched between his thick legs, his emeralds staring into mine. “Don’t tell my mom I said this but it’s a pretty sweet idea. I’d love it if you came with us over Christmas. That’ll get Allie to come along too.”

“I don’t know.” Shaking my head, I twist my watch around my wrist. “I don’t want to intrude on what could be your last trip together I—”

“Say you’ll come.” His voice is low and husky before he bites his lip, giving me that charm he knows how to use way too well. “Either that or you’re stuck with your foster parents alone.”

He says that as if I don’t already know. I don’t mind going with Christan. I really don’t. Even if it’s not the Christmas I had in mind. But, fuck. Thinking about it some more, after the time I’ve had, I deserve a Cabo vacation. Christian leans back in his seat, keeping me between his legs with a light squeeze on either side. “I’ll give you ten seconds to think about it. If not, I’m booking those tickets myself.” He winks, biting into that watermelon slice again and he doesn’t flinch as the juice runs down his bottom lip. He’s turning up the charm and I can’t help but smile. He’s as bad as his friends.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” he smiles in return.

Damien’s voice rings through my head.

Like you used Christian to make me jealous?

This isn’t what this is but the best way to get over an addiction is taking yourself away from the triggers. “Fine,” I shrug. “Cabo for Christmas.” Something I never thought I’d say.

A tropical getaway could be the cure to clearing my head. Besides, what’s the worst that can happen?

* * *

No more distractions.

At least not until Christmas break.

This semester is a mess but there’s still a chance for me to pull up my grades and make a good impression. It’s important for that transcript going off to those ivy league dickheads. Harvard’s on the line, and I’m going to reel it in.

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