Page 27 of Drift
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she scoffed.
“You don’t have to worry about me.” I heaved a deep sigh, already regretting that I hadn’t blocked my parents. “My state scholarship covers my tuition, and I have one from the university to help pay for the rest.”
“State aid doesn’t last forever. And that brother of yours can’t keep throwing money at you whenever he feels guilty.”
The familiar anger flared, hot and bright. “Jaxton has nothing to feel guilty about. If anyone does, it’s me…for letting you and Dad keep me away from him for so long. He’s an amazing big brother, and I’m lucky to have him. Goodbye, Mom. And don’t call me again.”
I stabbed my finger against the screen to disconnect, and then I blocked both of my parents. Tears stung my eyes, born of frustration more than sadness. I had no regrets about going no contact with them. Not after how badly they’d failed my brother and me.
My phone buzzed in my hand again, and I jumped. The screen lit up with a new message.
Ethan
We need to meet up.
I didn’t answer, but another message popped up just as I was about to set my phone down.
Ethan
I didn’t like seeing you with that biker the other day.
My stomach roiled with unease.
My phone vibrated again as I set it down next to me.
I logged in again and got back to work, ignoring any new texts.
About an hour later, I was making good progress when a knock on the door made me jump.
I glanced at the time in the upper right corner of my computer screen. After eight.
Telling myself it was probably a neighbor who needed something, I grabbed my cell—a habit Jaxton had drilled into my head—and padded across the small apartment. I didn’t even think to check the peephole as I twisted the lock because the building felt so safe.
The second the door swung open, I froze.
Ethan stood there, framed in the hallway light. His smile looked friendly, but something about it didn’t match his eyes.
“You’ve been ignoring me.”
His casual tone didn’t fool me. It was too rehearsed.
“I—uh, I’ve been busy. A paper due for Research Design and Methods.” My hand tightened on the edge of the door as I triedto block the opening with my body. “I’m not done yet, and it’s late. You need to leave.”
He stepped forward, and I backed up so he didn’t brush against me. Unfortunately, Ethan took it as permission to come in.
“I won’t stay long.” He strolled past me into the living room like he owned it. “We need to talk about our project.”
I wasn’t comfortable having Ethan in my personal space, especially when I’d never given him my home address. So as I closed the door, I thumbed a quick 9-1-1 text to my brother. Then I turned to him. “You need to leave.”
He took a step toward me. “I don’t get it. We were working. We were close. Until he showed up.”
“Who?” I asked, even though there could only be one man he was talking about.
Ethan’s head tilted, his eyes gleaming with something dark. “You know who. The biker. The one who picked you up the other day.”
My throat went dry. “Drift’s just a friend.”
“Sure he is.” He let out a small laugh that held no humor. “You think I didn’t notice the way you looked at him? Or the way he looks at you? He’s in the way, Alanna. And if you’re not with me, then you’re not with anyone.”
