To the right was a sitting room, a tray of cheese and fruit on the table in front of the floral couch. There were several empty wineglasses as well, but no people.
“Please, sit,” Faye said, and I followed her into the room. “Are you hungry? A few friends just left, but there’s still plenty of food, as you can see.”
“I’m fine, thanks.” I already felt sick; I didn’t need to add any food to my stomach.
She sat on the couch, patting the spot next to her. I eased down next to her, dropping my backpack by my feet.
“Julian told me a bit about you.” She smiled like he’d said good things. “In fact, he told me last night that the two of you were thinking of going to Barbados.”
I tried to hide my surprise. Last night? Julian sure had a lot of faith that I’d forgive him. I hadn’t even answered any of his texts last night. He really didn’t know me at all.
“We are,” I said. “Thinking about it.”
“I’m so glad to hear it,” she said. “I’ve been trying to get him to go for a while. You’ve been a good influence on him. I could tell, every time we talked on the phone. He seemed happier, more relaxed. Julian needs someone to help him loosen up a bit.”
“Does he?” I shifted uncomfortably.
“He’s a lot like his father. Both of them so serious and focused. Boys need someone to save them from themselves, you know?”
I nodded like I agreed. I did not. I was not here to save Julian. I was still trying to save myself.
“But you’ll love Barbados. So beautiful and peaceful. Have you ever been?”
“No.” Despite my mounting panic, I said the word with a trace of amusement.
“Where are you from?”
“Texas.”
“Ah.” She didn’t sound like she approved of Texas.
Her eyes caught on something, and a smile spread across her face. “Julian! Over here, hon. I found her in the car.”
Julian was standing at the front door, hand on the knob. He peered at us in surprise. I stood, trying my best not to look like I was freaking out.
But I was. I absolutely was. I needed to find a way out of here.
No. They were shipping scrabs tonight. If anything, I needed to stay and figure out where those scrabs were. I forced a smile.
“You shouldn’t have made her wait out there,” Faye said.
“Oh, I just . . .” Julian cast a worried look over his shoulder. His father strode into the foyer, his gaze immediately catching on me. He shot his son a look of utter contempt.
“Julian, a word,” He grabbed Julian roughly by the arm and pulled him into the hallway. I could see Mr. Montgomery jabbing a finger into Julian’s chest as he spoke.
“Don’t mind my husband,” Faye whispered to me. “He just has a lot on his mind.”
I bit back a hysterical laugh. I would have said the same thing about Julian a few days ago.
Mr. Montgomery took a step closer to Julian. He was clearly trying to intimidate his son. My stomach twisted.
Julian nodded, and then he and his dad walked back into the foyer. Julian widened his eyes at me slightly as he approached. He was trying to smile, but he was obviously shaken.
His mom looked between the two of us, like she’d just caught that subtle interaction. She placed a light hand on my arm, briefly. I resisted the urge to swat it away.
“Clara.” His dad said my name with disapproval. “Julian tells me you’ve left Grayson’s teams.”
“I did,” I said.
“Are you going home?” Mr. Montgomery asked. “Where is home?”
“Texas,” Faye said cheerfully.
“No, I’m not going back to Texas,” I said.
“We’re thinking of going to Barbados,” Julian said. “Just for a quick vacation.”
“Do you really have time for a vacation?” Mr. Montgomery asked snidely. “You helped create this mess we’re in.”
“Grayson made the mess, not me,” Julian muttered.
“You helped him along. You certainly exaggerated your ability to keep Grayson under control.”
Julian flushed but said nothing.
Mr. Montgomery leveled an intense stare at me. He was trying to intimidate me. I couldn’t bring myself to pretend it was working.
“Hon, I was going to go say goodbye to the guys before we left. Why don’t you come with me?” Faye took her husband by the arm and steered him back into the hallway.
“Sorry,” Julian said, once they were out of earshot. “He’s a bit much, right?”
“He’s horrible,” I said.
He seemed taken aback. “He gets riled up sometimes. He means well.”
“Does he? He was pretty harsh.”
“It’s just how he is.” He said the words heavily. Like he’d once hoped his dad would change but had learned better. “And he’s upset right now because I couldn’t stop Grayson from chasing after MDG. I can’t blame him.”
I could blame him.
Julian fished a card key out of his pocket and handed it to me. “Listen, there was a change of plans. Take the car and go to my hotel. I’ll be back later tonight.” He picked up my backpack and handed it to me.
“Where are you going?”
“Dad needs me to supervise the stuff going on tonight. I may be kind of late.”
The stuff was absolutely the scrab shipment.
“Why don’t I just stay? I don’t mind waiting. I mean, you brought me all the way out here.” I tried not to sound as desperate as I felt.
He shook his head. “I can’t. Dad’s super pissed that I brought you here, and I don’t want to make him even angrier. Go back. Order some room service. Get a movie if you want.” He planted a quick kiss on my cheek, and then pulled the door open for me.
I walked through, my heart pounding as I shot him a smile. I couldn’t just leave. I needed to find a way to follow him and
