I turn to her, sister to sister, my soul link. “Will you please consider it?”
“I will if you will,” she challenges, huffing. “Where are all those acceptance letters of yours? Shouldn’t they be pouring in? You applied to enough places.”
I know exactly where they are. In a place nobody will find them.
“You know how colleges like to drag it out,” I say. “Like announcing the winners on those cooking contests on TV.”
“Want to watch one? You know they’re always on late at night.”
I should tell her no. I have to get my overnight bag ready for tomorrow. Noah is picking me up around the corner from the apartment complex at ten, and Wyatt’s mom found a different baby-sitter for the afternoon. Everything is set and ready to go.
Based on the nerves in my stomach, I’m not likely to sleep tonight.
“Sure,” I say, knowing I shouldn’t. I can’t help it though, I want to be with my sister.
Leaving our room, we cuddle up on the couch until we notice Mom walk out for a glass of water. Her eyes settle on us and she smiles, joining us instead of going back to bed. Instantly, the guilt of the lie I haven’t told yet begins to sink in.
Just not enough for me to change my mind.
Whatever Noah has planned for us this weekend, I’m game.
11
Noah
Last night,when I was certain everyone in my house was asleep, I snuck into my dad’s office. Quietly, I opened the center desk drawer and slipped the key I found there into my pocket. Then I crept out to my car and put my overnight bag in the trunk of Black Beauty.
I’m ready for this.
Time alone with Ember.
No practice for me, no work for her, no parents expecting us. Twenty-four uninterrupted hours with Ember.
“Hey, Mom.” I walk into the kitchen where she’s sitting at the breakfast nook, coffee cup in hand. The smile on my face is sure to tip her off to something, so I stick my head in the fridge and try to stop grinning. After grabbing an apple and stuffing it in my mouth like a pig at a luau, I back out of the fridge.
“Do you have plans today?” She tears her eyes from the iPad lying on the table in front of her. This is her Saturday morning ritual. Maybe one day I’ll drink coffee and read the news, too. It sounds very adult. For now, I’ll pass.
I munch the rest of my bite and swallow. “Going to Tripp’s.”
“What are you two doing today? Certainly not pampering for prom.” She sits back in her chair and pulls one bent leg into herself. “Guys have it so easy. Just a haircut and formal clothes.”
“Yeah, so easy,” I echo. I completely forgot prom is today. To make this charade look believable, I’m going to have to bring my suit with me when I leave.
“I’m assuming you’re taking Ember tonight?”
“Ember’s not going. She’s not interested.”
My mom frowns, then tries to fix her face. “That’s…atypical.”
I nearly laugh.Atypical. I have a strong feeling she was about to sayweird.
“Laurel said Kelsey told her you were dating someone. She was asking me about the new girl in your life.”
Leaning back against the sink, I sigh with annoyance. “So?”
“Why are you on the defense when it comes to Ember?”
“Why are you on the offense when it comes to Ember?”
