Page 64 of Honest With You

My heart thumps painfully against my chest at the knowledge that Jesse isn’t too busy to take or return my calls or texts. He’s simply ignoring them.

Swallowing hard, I tap the screen again.

It’s another selfie of Jesse and Margaret. They’re cuddling and smiling. She’s even kissing his cheek.

The caption reads, “Distance is just a test to see how far love can travel but we make it look good.”

Unable to stomach more, I hand her phone back to Vanessa. I bite back the tears that threaten to spill, knowing I still have to walk out of this room, down the still crowded halls and out the door. The only consolation is the school had allowed my security to park in the back end of the school where faculty parks so once I’m out the door, I’m away from prying eyes. I just have to make it there first.

My father will not allow another scandal from me. I need to make it look like it doesn’t affect me. I need to do what I do best: controlling my emotions, feigning indifference and giving the best performance of my life as I walk out of here with my head held high.

Istep out of my car in time to see Vanessa ushering Ava out of the car and across the front yard. I hitch my bag higher on my arm as I make my way to their front gate.

My flight got delayed and I didn’t make it back in time for school. I have yet to even turn on my phone, opting to head straight here from the airport.

I missed Ava and after missing her birthday, I owe her so many things including an explanation as to where I had been this whole time. It was a conversation long overdue, and one I wanted to have face-to-face, rather than on the phone.

By the time I get to the front gate, I’m nearly giddy with anticipation. All I need is to have my girl back in my arms and I just know my freaking anxiety will dissipate. I need her.

“AVA!”

Both girls whirl around at the sound of my voice and my bag hits the cement at the sight of my girlfriend. Her hair is sticking to her face, wet with tears, and her eyes are red and puffy.

I fumble with the handle to the gate but find it locked. I tap on it, my gaze stuck on Ava, whose lips are now trembling with unbridled sadness as she looks away. I spot something in her eyes, an emotion I can’t quite understand.

“What’s going on? Did something happen?”

Vanessa scoffs from beside Ava and I tear my eyes away, only to find Vanessa seething with rage. I almost take a step back from the force of it.

Before I can voice a question or demand they open the gate, a car screeches to a stop behind me and I turn in time to see Stephen climbing out of it. His hands are curled into fists as he marches towards me, leaving the door open in his fury.

“Stephen!” The gate flies open and Vanessa is suddenly standing between us. Her hands fly out to stop Stephen’s approach. He’s not blinking as he stares me down, but he heeds her request, stopping a few feet away from me. I spot their Security SUV stop just behind Stephen’s car.

I turn toward the now open gate and take a step towards Ava, who has yet to acknowledge my presence, when a snarl comes out of Stephen. I look back in time to see him take a step towards me.

Then, several things happen in sequence. Stephen tosses his keys over his shoulder to their security in the SUV. Vanessa tosses my bag at my feet. Stephen strides past me to Ava, who takes his arm without sparing me a glance. I attempt to follow them when Vanessa blocks my way, her cellphone thrust in my face.

“Vanessa, I don’t have time for whatever this is. I need to check on Ava.”

She shoves at my chest in response.

“What is the matter with you?” I growl in frustration, my hands diving into my hair as I stare behind her at the house, no longer able to see my girl.

She once again shoves her phone into my face, tapping the screen obnoxiously.

Rolling my eyes, I take her phone from her.

“FUCK!”

I tap the screen a few times before I push the phone back into her hands and sprint past her into the house. But before I can even make it past the front steps, Reese is there.

“You’re not welcome here.”

My eyebrows shoot up as I look at this little hellion. She had been my biggest ally until now. “Reese, come on. You guys haven’t even heard me out yet.”

She taps her foot, looking at me with a disgusted sneer. “Let’s hear it then.”

Shaking my head profusely, I attempt to get past her, but she’s joined by Vanessa and together they form a blockade.

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