Page 95 of Promising You

“What are you trying to say? That I expected a gift? Because that’s not like me at all. I tell Garret all the time not to buy me stuff. He just surprised me with these.”

“I wasn’t trying to imply anything. It was more of a comment about Kerry. I like that she’s not all materialistic. I like that about you, too. But since you’re not that way, I’m surprised that you’re okay with Garret giving you those earrings. That’s a really expensive gift.”

Here we go again. Carson’s gone weeks without putting down Garret and now here he is, trying to make me feel like Garret’s a bad boyfriend for buying me diamond earrings. Like he’s trying to buy my love.

“Let’s not talk about this. I told you to stop saying bad things about Garret and you keep doing it anyway.”

“I’m not talking bad about Garret. I’m just wondering where he gets all his money. He doesn’t have a job, so does he have a trust fund? Or does his dad give him money?”

“I don’t know. And I really don’t care.”

“I’m just saying, if I were him, I’d want to earn the money to buy my girlfriend a gift. Not use my dad’s money.”

“Okay, seriously? Did you not just hear yourself? That was a total dig at Garret. Why do you care so much about where he gets his money or what he spends it on? It’s none of your business.”

Class is starting, which is perfect timing because I was just about ready to scream at Carson. I’m finally moving past the whole money issue with Garret and now Carson’s shoving it front and center in my mind again. He’s hitting all my buttons today and I think he knows that which infuriates me even more.

After class, he follows me out. “We need to meet about our paper for lab. We have to turn in the outline this week and the paper is due next week.”

“Yeah. I know. I read the syllabus.” I walk fast and don’t look at him.

“So? When should we meet? Tonight? We could meet after dinner.”

“I don’t think so. We should meet during the day.”

“Come on, Jade. It’s homework. It’s not a date. I have a girlfriend. And it’s the only time I can meet before the outline is due.”

“Fine. We’ll meet tonight at 7 at the library.”

“We can’t talk at the library. Why don’t we just grab dinner somewhere and we’ll talk over dinner?”

“Sounds like a date to me.”

“Garret won’t let you eat with anyone but him? I can’t believe you put up with that. You don’t seem like that type of girl.”

Now he’s really pushing my buttons. And even though I know that’s what he’s doing, I still go along with it. “And what type of girl is that, Carson?”

“The girl who lets her boyfriend tell her what to do.”

“So you wouldn’t have a problem if Kerry went to dinner with some other guy?”

“No, not at all.”

We’re now at my dorm and I stop abruptly when I reach the door. “Tonight at 7. I’ll reserve one of the study rooms in the library so we can talk. I’ll text you with the room number.” I don’t wait for him to respond. I just go inside and down to my room. As I fumble with my key, Garret appears.

“Need some help?” He kisses my cheek, then takes the key from me and opens the door.

“What are you doing down here?”

He laughs. “What kind of a greeting is that? Can’t I stop down and see my girlfriend?”

“Yes. I just wasn’t expecting to see you.” I throw my backpack on the floor along with my jacket. “I thought you had class.”

“Not for another hour.” He reaches for my hand, but I move it away, pretending to adjust some papers on my desk.

“What was that for?”

“What? I’m just cleaning up a little. My desk is a mess.”

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