Page 28 of Crash into me
The chair squeaks by how fast I move, but I reposition myself, leaning my elbows on the table. Maybe I can talk some sense into him. “I still don’t understand why you’re so obsessed with me marrying him.”
“To keep you in the family wealth.”
Who am I kidding? I can’t talk him into anything. “It’s not 1950! I don’t need a man to be rich.”
“It’s not just about you!” His palm slams against the marble counter, and I see Rita peeking her head in from the other side of the room to check on me. “Wealth doesn’t come from nothing, Skyler. Wealth is traded; it cannot be made. You’re born into it.” He stands. “Rich, sure. You can do that on your own.” He gestures around the room. “But wealth? It’s something that stays within the wealthy. Warren is wealth, and so are we, and it’s just how it’s going to be.”
My chest heaves. “That’s not fair!”
“Oh?” He pulls something from his suit jacket. “Be a doll and drop this in the mailbox. It’s the next check for the child.”
I snatch it from his hand, quickening my steps before he can think twice about it as I head outside to place it in the box. “Her name is Sophie.”
Turning, I make my way down the driveway and trudge back to my room. I go up the winding stairs and down the marble corridors until I make it to my pink canopy bed, throwing my face in the pillow to scream.
But really, they probably wouldn’t hear me if I belted my hatred out at full volume without the pillow for cover.
I guess that’s what wealth gets you.
Space to scream.
No one to hear, no one to save you.
No one to stop the madness.
* * *
I may not needa new dress for the dinner, but I need heels. I wish I knew what color the gown is so I could match the shoes. I really thought they would be more adamant about me staying in, but they’re so busy prepping everything for tomorrow that I slip through the cracks like a ghost.
Kate answers the FaceTime on the second ring. “Hey, are you busy?”
She’s walking, her phone bouncing up and down. “Just on campus, orientation.” She sighs, turning my camera in the direction of the buildings.
I long to be beside her. “My parents are having a benefit dinner tomorrow. Wanna come?” I grin, hoping she’ll say yes.
Her head rolls back. “Ugh, I wish! Tomorrow’s our family game night.” She tries to sound annoyed, to not make me feel bad that she can’t come, but I know she adores those nights with her family.
I smile. “It’s okay! Brett will be here.”
She looks at the camera with a stunned expression. “Oh my gosh, he actually hangs out with you? He’s too busy for me now.”
I laugh as she climbs into her car, fumbling with the bulky keys. “You know, too many keychains are bad for your ignition switch.” I nearly hiss; that’s something I wouldn’t know. It’s something Foster told me.
But she shrugs it off, not even noticing. “Seriously, though, how did you get Brett away from the field?”
He’s been throwing himself into football lately, I guess.
“I guess he’s just been worried?” I question, shrugging. “He’ll be leaving us both soon, scouts are going to be watching.”
She nods. “I hope he gets picked up by Florida; I don’t want him to leave us.”
The thought of our lives changing makes my skin crawl. “Let’s hope.” I nervously grin. “So do you want to go with me to get some heels for tomorrow?”
“Yes!” Bouncing curls spring to life as she nods her head. “Bal Harbor?” she suggests.
* * *
I pullup next to Kate, throwing my arms around her in the parking lot. “I want to know everything!” I exclaim. “How was orientation?”