“Runt, I’d shut up if I were you. Your criminal friends won’t be around to protect you all the time.”
My little sister does not disappoint. “I don’t need them to kick your ass.”
She strides over to my bike and grabs my helmet, slipping it on her head. I swing my leg over and steady my bike off its stand. Ruby climbs on the back, and we take off for the roadhouse the VP of SoC told me about. His ol’ lady owns it, and I’m not disappointed in the food.
Chapter Two
Evelise
On the drive to Newport, I think of the sexy stranger who came to my defense. He was hot and didn’t scare me at all, though he should have. His eyes almost felt like a touch as he inspected me. It was sexy and took my breath away, along with making my core spasm and my panties dampen. Even just thinking about him now causes that reaction, so I shift around in the seat of my car.
I’m certain the guy is Ruby’s brother, Judge, whom she wanted me to meet, but I didn’t have time. I need to study for a test tomorrow and get started on a term paper that’ll require all my time over the semester to complete. It’s part of my final grade in Operations Management class. I also need to begin drawings for my personal collection and portfolio for Collection Development class. My senior project comprises of six garments. This first semester, I present the drawings, and for my next-semester final, each piece will be brought to life.
I’m a planner, so starting on these projects as soon as possible is imperative for me. My parents understand how stressed out I’ve been by this year, so it shocks me that after only being on campus for two weeks, they’re already asking me to come home. I’d planned to visit at the beginning of October if I had time. But my dad is coming to my match on Saturday.
Just before reaching the Newport Bridge, my phone rings through the car, and I answer it as soon as I see the name.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Are you almost here?”
“Yep. I hurried, but I had practice.”
“I know, I’m sorry, but–” She pauses; she’s holding in something. “Gigi is here. She brought you a gift.” Okaaay, now she’s trying to distract me with presents.
“Mom, is everything okay?”
“Well, yeah, I guess…” I hate having to pluck strings to get answers from her. “Where are you at?”
“Getting ready to cross the bridge now.”
“Oh, be careful. Your father said there is fog over the water.”
“I see it, Mom. I’ll be okay.”
“All right, I’ll see you soon.”
“Mom, are you sure you’re okay?”
“We’ll talk about it when you get here.”
“Okay.”
When our call disconnects, I’m even more convinced that she’s hiding something, and it’s bothersome, but recalling my counselor’s words about controlling other people’s actions, I take a moment to settle my nerves. I tell Siri to play music to soothe me, and Taylor Swift pumps through my speakers. I sing along with her until pulling up to my parents’ house, and that’s when I notice the extra cars. One is my gigi’s, the other is unfamiliar, but the third I know, and I grit my teeth, trying to calm down. What the heck is he doing here? It doesn’t matter, though, because I’m about to make sure he understands we’re never ever getting back together. Just like Tay says.
I peek down at my outfit, hoping it’s appropriate. The top is one I designed myself, but the pants are a pair of faux-leather jeggings. My curves and muscles are on display, and I know that Justin hates that.
As soon as I’m about to open the door, it’s done for me, and Clint, my gigi’s driver, stands there.
“Hey, Clint. How’s the wife?”
“She’s doing better.”
He’s been my grandparents’ driver for years, and when my papa finally passed, he stuck around to help Gigi. His wife recently had hip replacement surgery. They live in the carriage house on Gigi’s estate.
“Hey, kiddo, stick to your guns in there. Your grandmother is holding out for you.”
I smile at him because he’s so sweet. Gigi has never liked Justin.
