“Yes,” Bennett answers. “Why the fuck would I go to Texas?”
Cole snatches the phone up off the table and places it in front of his face, keeping it on speakerphone. “Pack a bag and get your ass to the airport.”
“What …? Cole, I can’t …”
“I wasn’t asking you, Bennett.” He growls.
“I have class,” Bennett argues.
“Fuck class! Pack a bag and book the first plane to Texas.”
Bennet sighs. “Cole.”
“Send the info for your flight, and Deke and I will pick you up at the airport. And don’t forget your laptop.” Cole leaves no room to argue.
“Cole …”
He hangs up on him before Bennett can finish speaking.
I sit back and let out a sigh as I tip the bottle back. “What do you think it means?” I ask Cole.
He doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he stands there, his scarred knuckles fisted down at his sides as he stares off into space. No doubt thinking about what all he’s been through in the past year. And all that he’s lost. What he has to lose now.
“I think it means that once again we’re gonna have to do whatever it takes to make sure no one can touch us.” Then he looks down at me, arching his brow in question.
Am I in? Do I agree?
“I’ve got your back,” I say without hesitation, then bring the bottle to my lips again.
Without saying another word, he turns and dives back into the pool.
CHAPTER TEN
DEMI
MONDAY MORNING, Iwalk into my first period at Westlake High and plop down on my seat. This is my first year here. My third month into the first semester. My mother made me move from Oregon to Texas for my senior year, and I hate her so much for it. I had gone to Collins all my life. I had friends. I had been on the cheerleading squad since fourth grade. Then when my sister told my mother she wanted to move to Texas to be with her friend Austin, my mother told me that I no longer had a choice. That there was no one there to look after me anymore. She completely forgot the fact I have a father! He even went to bat for me. Tried to talk my mother into letting me stay there living with him.
“Angelica.” He sighs. “She will be fine. Her junior year is almost over. She can finish off her senior year here.” He paces the living room while on his phone.
I sit on the couch, biting my nails off one by one.
“So what if Becky isn’t here? I’m am.” He comes to a stop and squares his shoulders. “I’m her father!” he snaps. “Listen …” he trails off, and I can hear my mother raise her voice, and I know she’s won. She’s been trying to get me to come to Texas ever since their divorce five years ago. My only leverage was that Becky was here. I hate her, but my mother felt she was responsible enough to help my father raise me. Even though the truth is I’ve pretty much raised myself.
Our father isn’t a bad guy. He’s not an alcoholic, and he doesn’t bring strange women in and out all hours of the night. In fact, he hardly ever dates at all. He’s married to his work. That has always been his mistress. And that’s what drove my mother to have an affair with her now husband. She left him, and he just buried himself deeper. But he’s always been there for me when I needed him. Even if it was through a phone call.
He hangs up, and I look up at him, already feeling the tears threaten my eyes. He turns to face me and lets out a long breath.
“Please don’t make me go,” I beg. “I want to finish school here. With you. My friends.”
He kneels in front of me and takes my hand. “Pumpkin …”
“Don’t,” I shout, yanking it from his. “You always take her side. What about what I want?”
He stands, pocketing his cell phone. Any sympathy he showed me moments ago is now gone. She’s made up her mind, and he’s decided as well. He’s not going to fight to keep me. And she just wants me there because of Becky. “I’m sorry, Demi, but your mom wants …”
“Fine!” I run out of the living room and up the stairs to my room. As I pass Becky’s room, her door swings open, and she steps out, blocking my way.
“Why are you crying?” she asks, looking me up and down.
