Page 17 of Mabilia

Feel like skipping tomorrow? I need to shop.

If anyone is going to skip school with me to shop, it’s her. She’s also going to be one hundred percent on board with therevealingchoices I’m intending to buy.

Aurora:

It’s a date. But I have to go to first period. We can leave after that.

I remember Tommy saying he was picking me up after school, which means I need a ride in the morning. I don’t want to have to find a way for my car to get home again.

Me:

Pick me up on your way there.

Aurora:

Why?

I roll my eyes. I knew that one wouldn’t be as easy. She wants to know what I’m up to. I just need to decide how much to tell her.

Me:

I’ll fill you in tomorrow. Just do it.

Aurora:

You owe me.

Me:

It’s a ride to school, Aurora, not a kidney.

“Everything okay?” Tommy asks, walking back into the room.

“Yep. I do need to go home, though,” I tell him.

“I’ll drive you,” he says.

“You don’t have to. I already called an Uber.” I didn’t, but he does not need to drive me home. My dad already saw him drop me off once.

“Cancel it,” Tommy says.

“Yeah, that’s not happening. I might have agreed to be exclusive with you but that does not mean you get to tell me what to do,” I snap at him as I make my way towards the front door.

Tommy follows me out. Neither of us says anything as we get into the elevator. When the door closes, he turns to me. “I’m sorry.” He sighs. “But I would prefer to drive you home and know you got there safe than have you get into a stranger’s car.”

“I can take care of myself, Tommy.”

“I’m aware,” he grunts.

The doors open and I walk out through the lobby of his building, stopping when I spot someone waiting for me outside on the street. “Shit,” I hiss under my breath.

“What’s wrong?” Tommy places a hand on my lower back, stepping closer to my side.

“Ah, my brother’s waiting for me. Do me a favor? Stay here. I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say before quickly stepping away from him.

Of course he doesn’t listen. I’m starting to think hedoeshave a death wish. Tommy follows me out to the street, where Neo is waiting for me with the famous Petrov glare plastered on his face.

Chapter Twelve