Page 41 of Dare To Take

My mind blanks, immediately closing down any thoughts of my mom, and something must have shown on my face because she covers her mouth with one hand. “I’m sorry.”

I force myself to shake my head. “It’s fine.” My voice is clipped. “Let’s just eat, grab whatever you want to get and get out of here. I’m surprised your mom isn’t blowing up my phone wanting to know where you are.”

She laughs. “It’ll take a couple of days for Elena to notice I haven’t come home. We’re not that close.”

“She seemed interested in what you were doing yesterday.”

“No, she’s interested in what you’re doing. She’s desperate for us to play happy families.”

“Why do you think that is?” I lean back when the server arrives with our food and drinks. “Thank you.” I give her a smile when she sets it down in front of us.

“I know why you think it is.” She lifts the mug of hot chocolate to her lips and takes a sip. The throaty moan that erupts from her throat makes my dick hard.

“And why is that?” I keep my voice light.

“I think gold-digger was one of the terms you threw at me.”

“You don’t think she married my dad to make life easier for herself?”

“Oh, I definitely think she did that.”

I’m surprised by her ready agreement.

“But seeing her reaction when the hospital called to tell her about Elliot’s heart attack, I think maybe she might like him more than I thought.”

“Even money-hungry bitches can fall in love, right?” I pick up my own drink. “For what it’s worth, I think my dad could have picked someone worse.”

“Wow, is that an admission that you were wrong to be such a bastard to me?”

“I thought we were talking about your mom.” I smirk at her over the rim of the mug.

She shakes her head. “You’re such an asshole.” But there’s a smile on her lips and warmth in her voice.

We fall into a companionable silence while we eat and once our plates are clear, gather up her bags and walk back to the car to deposit them.

“I guess you’re going to insist on searching for gifts for Dad and Elena?” I lean against the side of the car and look at her.

“It’s not Christmas without presents to open, Eli.”

Chapter 28

Arabella

We’re almost back at the house when I remember I haven’t bothered to turn my phone on today. I hadn’t given it a moment’s thought while we’ve been shopping for gifts. Now we’re back, my mind is already thinking about what might be waiting for me. After all the hateful and cruel comments over the last week, it’s made me wary of checking it.

Rummaging through my bags, I fish it out and turn it on. The screen lights up, and a moment later, it buzzes with incoming notifications.

Unknown number: It’s open season on you, Arabella. When you get back to school, we all want a taste of what those lips can do.

Unknown number: Is that little cunt of yours hungry for cock?

Unknown number: Tick tock. See you soon.

My heart pounds in my chest. Unease crawls across my skin. It’s a sharp reminder of what awaits me when I get back to Churchill Bradley Academy. Eli has helped me forget, but I’ve been kidding myself if I thought it was all going to go away. Every second that passes brings me one step closer to going back.

I need to focus on Christmas. One day at a time.

“Everything okay?” Eli’s voice is quiet.

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