Page 59 of Keeping The Virgin

Chapter 20

On the flight home,I try to shut Cage out of my mind, but with every mile that passes, my agony grows and grows.

In a way, Cage hurt me worse than Liam ever could have. Liam never got under my skin and into my heart, so his betrayal never felt as personal.

I even think we might’ve had a future, because what would have happened if Liam hadn’t texted me with that picture during Igor’s dinner? In the end, would Cage have held on to me for longer than the term of our agreement?

The questions haunt me as I press my face into the papery airline pillow and listen to the whine of the engines in the otherwise silent plane. Somehow I fell in love with Cage during our brief time together, and now that we’re over, it’s as if I’m being sliced in two slowly yet thoroughly.

After the plane lands, I turn on my phone to see an avalanche of texts and voicemails. At first, I think they’re from Liam, but that’s not the case.

Cage has been trying to contact me.

As I sit in my seat numbly waiting for my turn to deplane, I stare at one of his texts on my screen.

Just tell me you’re okay, Karini.

And that’s only the most recent message. I want to talk to you. Call me. I only want to make sure everything is all right…

I put my phone away. He isn’t ever going to get a call or text from me, because now that I spent hours in shock and sadness because the man I fell for didn’t believe me or the terrible story I told him, I’m done. I just got through being treated like garbage by Liam, and it’s not ever going to happen to me again.

Especially not with Cage Bryant.

Eventually I slump into the terminal with my one overnight bag, but I’m determined to get myself together. I have to before I arrive at the pick-up area where my parents will be waiting. They were overjoyed when I let them know about my change of flight plans; they were excited to see me even a few hours earlier than scheduled.

That’s love, and I’m going to appreciate what I do have of it.

When they swing by the curb in their Mazda, I force myself to perk up, wave to them, then go to where they’ve pulled over. Both of them burst out of the car, arms open wide to me, and at the sight of their normal, hometown-America, beaming smiles, I drop my bag and run into their embraces.

As they lob questions to me about my “end-of-summer adventure,” my heart breaks even more. I’ll make myself tell them about how I went to hip restaurants and cool places with my “friends,” but I’ll be lying about these “happy times”—mostly to myself.

I miss Cage, even with all the anguish he’s causing me. Dammit, I only want to be with him again.

Soon I’m sitting in the backseat of the car, speeding along to my parents’ house. My phone dings, and both of them glance back at me: my dad’s gray eyes in the rearview mirror, my mom’s blue ones as she turns around.

I try to laugh as I say, “I’m sure it’s my friends seeing if I made it here okay.”

“Well don’t let us stop you.” Mom looks so young with her light brown hair in a ponytail, so happy to see me. “Go ahead. Answer them.”

I shouldn’t look, because I know I’m just going to see Cage’s name on the screen and it’ll break me for good. I’ll start crying, and they’ll ask me what’s wrong, and I won’t be able to answer them. But as my mom turns back around, I give in to temptation and get my phone out.

It’s not Cage who’s sent a text.

When my phone sounds off with Liam’s ringtone, my adrenaline freezes me. As I let the call go through, praying my parents won’t comment about how someone is certainly bent on reaching me, I see Dad’s brows furrow in the rearview mirror.

“Really, I’ll just get it later,” I say, but my voice shakes as I shut off my phone.

I’m acting weird, and they know it.

Later, after I go to the bedroom my parents have so lovingly kept clean and tidy for me, I finally listen to Liam’s message.

“Wasn’t last night enough to let you know how goddamn serious I am?”he yells. “Congratulations, you little twat—you just got yourself in deeper.”

After he demands even more money, I start to choke on my panic.

I text him right away.

I’ll give you the money when it comes in! I swear! Please don’t do anything, Liam.

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