Page 113 of Searching for Nova

Where do I go? I can’t go back to the apartment. I can’t live there anymore. Ted’s name is on the lease. I’m still a minor. Where am I gonna live?

What do I do with the apartment? Just leave all my stuff there and never go back? What about this car? What if the cops are looking for it?

I don’t know what to do. I need help, and I need it fast.

Pulling off at a gas station, I get out my phone and search for anyone who might help me. Mateo won’t. His parents wouldn’t either. They’re nice people, but they wouldn’t let me stay there. They already have too many kids for their tiny house. And Rielle doesn’t have room. She lives in a small apartment with her uncle and his girlfriend.

I’m surprised Easton hasn’t tried to call me. Or maybe he can’t since his mom took his phone. I can’t believe he didn’t tell his family about me, but I guess it makes sense since he’s still with Paris. She’s who heshouldbe dating; the rich, pretty, prep school girl. I shouldn’t be surprised Easton kept me a secret, but I am because I really wanted to believe that what he told me was true. That he loved me and wanted to be with me. I should’ve known it was too good to be real. I wanted to believe Easton is Sean, but he’s not. He’s someone totally different now, a rich, selfish asshole who lied to me and used me.

I take Ted’s phone from my pocket. He doesn’t lock it, because when he did, he’d forget the passcode and lock himself out. I scroll through his contacts.

“What the hell?” I stare at the number, wondering if it still works. “He said he didn’t have it.”

It’s not like I would’ve called him, but Ted didn’t have to lie and tell me he lost it.

I don’t want to call him, but he might be able to help. He could at least give me advice. And he should probably be told what happened to Ted.

Taking a deep breath, I call the number.

“What do you want, old man?”

“Dad, it’s me.”

The phone is silent a moment before I hear him again. “Nova?”

“Yeah.” My heart’s going so fast I can barely talk. “I need help.”

“Kid, I ain’t got money. If the old man put you up to this—”

“He didn’t. He’s dead.” I hear my voice shaking and try to calm down. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t have anywhere to go. I need help.”

He doesn’t say anything.

“Dad, can I come stay with you? Just until I figure out where to go?”

He doesn’t answer. I look at the screen and see he hung up.

I should’ve known he wouldn’t help me. Nobody will. I can’t count on anyone, even Easton. Why did I ever think I could trust him? He’s not Sean, the sweet little kid who’d dye his hair green just to make me smile. He’s Easton, a rich snob who used his money to trick me into believing he cared about me.

It’ll never happen again. I’ll never let my guard down and trust someone again. The only person I can trust is me.

I find Easton’s number in my phone and block it. I go to delete it, pausing before I do. I really wanted Easton to be the guy I thought he was, but he’s not. So as much as it hurts me, I need to let him go.

I stare at his name and number on the screen. My finger hovers over the phone before finally pressing delete. “Goodbye, Easton.”

* * *

Hey,it’s Kai!

Will Nova find her way back to Easton? You’ll find out soon! Book 2, Trusting Easton, will be out on December 17th! It’s the final book in the series and you can pre-order it now. Click here to reserve your copy!

In the meantime, if you’re in the mood for another angsty high school romance, check out my Broke & Bullied Series. Start with Don’t Try Me. I’ve included Chapter One on the next page!

Sneak Peek of Don’t Try Me

Don’t Try Me

(Broke & Bullied, Book 1)

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