Page 58 of Dare To Take

“If you have, you need to be fucking careful. If he’s not willing to admit he’s gay because of his friends, you know it’s for a reason. I’m not going to be there to watch your back.”

“Don’t worry about me. I have it under control. Anyway, you’ll be back soon enough. There’s no way they’re going to keep you out of the school. Doesn’t your father own at least half of it?”

“He’s donated enough money for that to be true.”

“Well, there you go then.” A voice, soft and feminine, calls his name. “And that’s my cue to leave. I’m being summoned to play lord of the manor and oversee the gift-giving. I’ll call you later.”

I toss my cell down beside me. I’m not as confident as Kellan. Everyone believes I leaked that video. I can’t see any way that my dad will be able to convince them to allow me back unless I admit to it and accept a punishment.

Would it be worth doing that? Do I want to go back to Churchill Bradley?

Chapter 38

Arabella

My phone pinging distracts me from the Christmas movie I have playing on the TV. I brush my finger over the screen and open my messages.

Miles: Merry Christmas. I hope Eli isn’t giving you hell.

I’m tempted not to respond, but after a few minutes, I give in to the urge to reply to him.

Me: Merry Christmas.

I go back to the movie, but my cell vibrates a minute later.

Miles: Please don’t be angry with me.

Anger rolls through me. Why shouldn’t I be angry? He said he’d always have my back, but I’m not even at school yet, and he’s officially dumped and unfriended me.

Miles: I got you a present.

Because he feels guilty? I’m not going to make him feel good about sneaking around to stay friends.

Me: You didn’t have to do that.

Miles: Yes, I did. I’m a shitty friend.

Me: Yes, you are.

Miles: We’re still Ant-man and The Wasp. Daredevil and Elektra, just not in public.

Me: I’d rather be the Invisible Woman.

I toss the phone onto the blanket, drag the pillow down and hug it to my chest. My attention darts to my table, where I left the dark wooden box with the diary Eli had given me. The black and silver brocade is on the seat beneath it. Both are beautiful, but it’s the drawing he’s done of me that holds all my attention. I’ve seen a few of his sketches before, but it hits me now just how talented he is. I hadn’t expected him to put so much thought into my gifts. The fact he has makes me frown.

Had he done it just to appease his dad and Elena?

I stare at the sketch, which is propped up against the wall.

When did he draw it? After our trip to the hotel?

I roll onto my back, stare up at the ceiling and then reach for my phone again. Finding Eli’s messages, I type out a text.

Me: Thank you for the presents. I loved them.

I’ve literally just pressed send when a notification pops up. A second later, three more appear. More start to blow up my phone.

Dread washes over me.

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