“Okay, but can we start tomorrow. I’m pretty beat already.” I paused. “And beatup. Let’s not go too hard on me, yeah?”
It felt like today had been going for a million years.
Dylan nodded. “Yep. I’ll pick you up in the morning. Around ten.”
“Uh, school?” I said.
“Not tomorrow, this is more important.”
That was fine by me. I’d always been an average student, and while I used to be interested in decent grades to get into college, now I was apparently inheriting a seat on a billion dollar company without even having to pass senior year.
More importantly, if I didn’t figure out how to keep myself alive, it wouldn’t matter about school or grades or anything.
Dylan left after that, and I made my way back to the monstrosity of a house that I now called home. Stewart greeted me. “Are the birth parents in?” I asked, needing to know if I was about to be ambushed.
He shook his head. “No, miss. They’re at the New York office.”
Looked like the day was finally turning around. “I’ll be in my room,” I said.
“I’ll bring you some food,” he called as I started to walk.
I flashed him a smile before traipsing up the stairs, and crawling into bed. Now that I had my new nifty television, I was going to enjoy some relaxing time watching trashy movies and eating whatever I could get my hands on.
The first thing I did was text Dante though.Me: Are you okay?
It was a few minutes before he replied.Dante: I’m good, Riles. Just dealing with some business. Are you okay?
I had to think about that answer for a moment before deciding that I was as good as could be expected. Under the circumstances.
Me: I’m okay. The guys are being crazy protective, and I can’t decide if I’d rather be kidnapped or not just to get away from them.
It was in my nature to joke about the more serious shit ... made it easier to deal with.
Dante: Lay low. Please. For me. I’m gathering as much information as I can; we’ll make it safe for you. I promise.
Me: Love you, Dante. Stay safe.
Dante: Love you too, Riles.
I plugged my phone into the charger and turned my attention to the television, scrolling through the million and one choices before I settled onThe Fast and the Furious. I’d seen these movies so many times that by now they were comfort food for me.
Stewart arrived some time later, and he had a tray filled with more junk food than was possible for any one person to eat. Along with a delicious boscaiola pasta.
“You spoil me,” I gushed at him, wondering if maybe I should just set my sights on a man that brought me food. If only Stewart wasn’t forty years older than me, he’d be almost perfect.
I made it through three and a half movies before sleep pressed in on me. I dragged myself into the shower, changed into the softest cotton pajamas with roses on them, and snuggled under the covers.
Then I closed my eyes, and … the pilot’s face flashed right across my mind.
18
Tears actually sprang to my eyes as they flew open. This could not be happening. I needed to sleep, it was one of my favorite things to do, and having dead people appear every single time I closed my eyes, was really going to impact my life.
There was only one other time I remembered having insomnia. When I was ten my childhood best friend, Jessie Mcglee, moved away. Outside of Dante—and now Eddy—she was the only true friend I’d ever had, and I’d missed her so much. My mom had to sleep in my room with me for three weeks before I could finally relax my brain to sleep alone. This time though, I had no mom…
My chest got tight and I tried not to break, despite the pressure in my throat and behind my eyes. Scrambling out of bed, I was sucking air in and out, trying to get myself under control.
Without thought, I was pulling on my dressing gown and Uggs again, stumbling downstairs, and throwing myself into the golf cart. The codes were memorized now and I barely even stopped at the gate before I was flying down the road between my house and Becks.
