Page 83 of Choosing You

“Yeah, but I still don’t know what that means.”

“It means that they get what they want. Just like this guy. They do whatever they have to do to cover up stuff they don’t want people to know. They’ll do anything, Jade. Anything.”

“Okay, stop it. You’re freaking me out.”

“I just want you to think about this before you go talking to Frank or looking up stuff on the Internet. Think about if it’s really going to help you.”

“Fine, I’ll think about it.” I swing my legs to the side of the bed and sit next to him. “I guess I should go.”

He puts his arm around my shoulder. “Hey, I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you last night. Next time, call my cell. I’ll be right over, okay?”

“Why were you talking to Ava anyway?”

“My dad called the other day and was asking all these questions about you and if I’d seen you lately. I asked Ava if she’d been spying on us again and reporting back to my dad. She claims she hasn’t but I can never tell if she’s lying or not.”

“I really screwed up last night, Garret. I promised myself I’d never drink and then I did. I wasn’t even thinking.”

“You had one drink. That doesn’t mean you’ll be an alcoholic.”

“I have the genes for it. I can’t risk it. I don’t want to end up like her.”

“You won’t. So stop thinking that way.”

I get up and the sweatpants start slipping off. I hoist them back up, laughing. “I think I need to put my clothes back on. I can’t walk to my room in these.”

“Your clothes are still damp. I’ll go down to your room and get you some dry ones.” He takes my room key and leaves. He comes back with jeans, a black sweater, underwear, and a bra.

“Garret, you went through my underwear drawer?”

“Would you rather put on wet underwear from last night?”

“No, but still. That’s embarrassing. Turn around while I change.”

When I’m done, he looks me up and down. “Much better.”

“At least I can walk to my room now. But I need to shower. I feel gross.”

“Then go shower and I’ll take you out for breakfast.”

“I can’t go. I need to call Frank. I know you don’t think I should, but I have to ask him some things.”

“Come here.” He’s seated on the bed and waits for me to stand in front of him. “I wasn’t trying to tell you what to do. I just want you to be careful.” He smiles. “And I think Frank can wait until after breakfast.”

“I guess. I’ll go get ready. Come down in 10 minutes.” I turn to leave but he grabs my hand.

“One more thing. Do you think we could do this again?”

“Do what again?”

“This sleepover. I kind of liked it.”

“How could you have liked it? The bed’s so small you probably didn’t get any sleep with me in there.”

“You’re not very big, Jade. You barely take up any space. And I’ve never slept better. I could use a good night’s sleep like that again. I’d let you wear my sweatshirt.”

“Maybe. I need to think about it.” I really don’t need to think about it, but I don’t want to sound too eager.

“What’s there to think about?” He pulls me down to sit on his leg.

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