Page 82 of Beneficial Misfortune

Mine.

Until then,

xoxo

There’s no name, but I don’t need one to know who sent these.

My hand trembles, and the card slips through my fingers, slowly floating down to the ground. I make no move to retrieve it. In fact, I don’t move at all as panic floods my veins.

This can’t be happening.

Hecheated on me. I left him and that whole life behind. He’s free to be with whoever he wants, so long as it’s not me…so why would he be reaching out? Why wait so long?

My mind races. The possibilities are endless, but despite the reason, regardless of what it is, there’s no denying this is Carter.

I leave the flowers, the sweet smell now turning my stomach. I quickly lock up my class and make my way outside. I’d originally told Vincent I’d message him when I was done, so he didn’t have to sit and wait on me. But just like at the mall, he’d insisted and as I make my way outside, I find him seated in the car right where I left him, and I can’t help but feel a sense of relief.

The last thing I want right now is to be alone.

I make my way down the front stairs and across the faculty lot to the limo without so much as giving Vincent a chance to start it. I probably look a little crazy right now, but I can’t bring myself to care. I just need to get away from here.

“Kat?” The question in Vincent’s voice is clear, but I ignore it.

“Hey, Vincent. I’m all done for the day. We can head back now. Thanks.” I say in a rush, despite trying not to draw attention to myself.

They're just flowers.

He’s not here.

I tell myself over and over, and while it does make me feel a bit better, it’s not a cure-all. Just because he’s not here now doesn’t mean he won’t be.

I feel Vincent’s eyes on me in the mirror. I don’t want to look at him, for him to get a glimpse of the panic that’s damn near eating me alive right now. But something tells me we won’t be going anywhere as it is right now.

I tilt my head up until our eyes meet and force a smile to my lips. It feels fake on my face, and judging from the way his lips pull down, he thinks the same. I expect him to push, demand answers, and maybe even go back into the school.

Instead, he holds my gaze for a moment before he looks away. The car hums to life, and I can’t help but let out a sigh of relief when we pull out of the lot.

Neither of us talks the whole ride back to the house. I try to use the time in silence to get a hold of myself.

By the time we pull up to the gates, I’ve almost convinced myself I imagined it…almost but not quite. It would be easier if the fresh scent of the flowers wasn’t clinging to me like a bad smell, choking me with every breath.

I need to take a shower and get my mind on something else, anything else.

The second Vincent pulls up in front of the house, I’m out the door and up the stairs. It’s not until I reach the house that I realize how rude I must seem to him right now.

Crap, Vincent doesn’t deserve that.

Pausing for a moment, I find him standing outside the driver's side door, watching me. I shout back my thanks for the ride, and after a moment, he gives me a nod. It’s not perfect, and I’m not sure he doesn’t hate me now, but at least it’s something.

The house is quiet when I enter, which is odd, considering I know Alex and Addison are here, but I don’t give myself time to dwell on it. Taking advantage of it, I make my way up to my room for a shower.

I just need to get the smell to go away so I can think clearly.

Throwing the water on, I hastily pull off my clothes before stepping in. I’d been so eager to get in the shower that I hadn’t adjusted the temperature correctly. The cold water hits my back, and I let out a hiss but make myself stay where I am, hoping it will help clear my mind.

It doesn’t do as much as I’d hoped, but by the time I’m done, I can at least breathe easier, kind of.

I need to distract myself, and the best way I know to do that is to go find Addison. Throwing on a sundress, I make my way downstairs. This time, I can hear her voice as it bounces off the walls.

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