Page 33 of Princess of Hawthorne Prep

“No, I don’t. I look at them and it’s like I’m staring at a stranger.” My fingers rise to massage my temples where a headache brews. “Honestly, it would be so much easier if I did. Then I could take responsibility for making a crappy decision and fucking up.”

Instead, my memories are a blank canvas.

And that’s the scariest part of all.

DELILAH

If I’d been holding out hope that Mom would change her mind at the very last minute and refuse to let me attend the camping trip, that’s no longer a possibility. Since Duke is supposed to pick me up in ten minutes, my guess is that I’m stuck with my classmates for three grueling days. I can only liken it to being trapped in a room with feral animals, all the while praying I make it out alive.

Am I being a tad bit dramatic?

Maybe.

Then again, maybe not.

I’ve been assigned to Kingsley’s house with Summer, Austin, and a bunch of other people. Even though it’s not a good situation by any stretch of the imagination, it’s better than getting stuck at Jasper’s vacation house. Dread snakes its way down my spine. I can only guess at the diabolical plans he’d have in store for me if that were the case.

“I swear to god, Delilah Rose, you’d better behave on this trip,” Mom grumbles as I reluctantly drop my duffle bag near the front door. “If I catch even a whiff of impropriety, you can kiss the rest of senior year goodbye.” She glares before planting her fists on slender hips. “You’ve really pushed me to my limit this week. I can’t take much more of your out-of-control behavior. I’m not sure why you’re trying to force me over the edge, but trust me, I’m already there.” Her voice wobbles on the last syllable.

Even though it’s tempting to argue, I find myself saying, “I’m sorry, Mom.” The last thing I want to do is cause her any more grief or heartache. She’s been through more than enough.

Instead of accepting my apology and softening her stance, she swings around and stalks to her bedroom without another word. Just as I’m about to turn away, resigning myself to the thick tension that’s now a part of our relationship, she wheels out a small red suitcase.

My brows pinch together, thrown off by this new development. She never mentioned a word about taking off for the weekend. “Are you going somewhere?”

She stops in her tracks as a scowl settles over her pinched features. “That’s none of your business. It’s high time you start remembering thatyou’rethe child andI’mthe parent. Unlike you, I don’t need to ask for permission.”

Every conversation with her feels like a battle and I hate it. I have enough to contend with at school. Instead of home being a safe refuge, it’s the furthest thing from it.

“I know,” I say with a sigh. “It’s just that you didn’t mention anything about going away for the weekend.”

Her shoulders loosen incrementally as a painful silence stretches between us. Just when I think she won’t bother with a response, she grudgingly admits, “Edmund booked us a room at a quaint little bed and breakfast in the country. I thought it might be nice to get away and relax. I haven’t been on a trip since…”

Her voice trails off and I realize that we’re both remembering Dad.

She clears her throat and glances away. “Anyway, I thought we could both benefit from getting out of Hawthorne for a couple of days. Maybe when you get back, we can sit down and talk about everything that’s been going on.” There’s a pause. “We can’t keep going like this.”

“I know.”

Her lips quirk slightly at the corners. Just when I think her expression will soften and she might even pull me in for a hug, she grumbles, “I’m serious about what I said, Delilah. You need to be on your best behavior.”

“I will, promise. You don’t have anything to worry about.”

Doubt flickers across her expression as there’s a blare of a horn from the driveway. For a moment, I hesitate before rushing forward and throwing my arms around her slender shoulders. We’ve always been so close. Especially after Dad died. I don’t want this tension to continue tainting our relationship.

Mom holds me close before whispering, “I love you, Delilah.”

For the first time in almost a week, everything inside me loosens as my grip tightens. “I love you, too.”

“Please spend some time thinking about the decisions you’ve been making and the path you’re on.”

“I will.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her to enjoy her impromptu vacay except…I just can’t force myself to say the words. She’s spending the weekend with a married man. At some point, it’s going to end and she’ll be devastated. I don’t believe for a single moment that Pembroke has any intention of leaving his wife.

My arms loosen before I gradually retreat. With a wave, I pick up my bag and open the door before stepping onto the tiny front stoop. As soon as I do, I realize that the vehicle idling in the driveway isn’t Duke’s pickup truck.

It’s Austin’s black G-wagon.

That’s all it takes for a trapdoor to spring open, and then I’m in freefall. Our gazes collide through the windshield as I remain frozen in place.

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