“What?” Have they lost their minds? “I thought we were going somewhere safe. Why would we go home? That’s the first place Isach will look for me,” I said.
Trent shot Jax a dirty look. “We own a cabin high in the mountains. It’s secluded, and no one knows about it. It’s the safest place for you.”
“Oh.” That made me feel slightly better. At least I wouldn’t be too far away from my family.
“What’re you going to tell your dad?” Trent asked.
Heat flamed up my neck and face. “Um, my dad thinks I’m visiting Aunt Beth and Uncle Dean for the summer.”
Jax raised his brows in surprise. “Why does he think that?”
“Because I told him that’s what I was doing.” I scowled at him. “Got a problem with that?”
Holding his hands up in surrender again, Jax shook his head. “No problem. It’s just—”
“What?” I crossed my arms, refusing to let him intimidate me or push me around ever again.
“It’s rather convenient, isn’t it?” He stepped closer, but I didn’t back down. “You just happen to tell your father you’re going home before you knew what was going on. Why is that, Chloe?”
I fought against the shudder threatening to break free. “For your information, Jaxon.” I poked him in the chest, and the jerk smirked at me. “I’ve been planning to go home all summer. But you already know that, remember?”
“Okay, calm down.” Trent grabbed Jax’s arm and pulled him away from me.
I blew out a breath.
“Seriously, Jax, what’re you doing?” Trent asked.
“Nothing.” Jax jerked his arm from Trent’s grasp. “Just want to make sure our bases are covered.”
“C’mon, let’s get out of here,” Trent said.
Trent opened the door. I slung my backpack over my shoulder and followed him out as he carried both his bag and my suitcase to his car, the same car I’d ridden in before. The windows were near black, perfect for him and Jax to travel during the day.
“Want to put that in the trunk?” Trent nodded to my backpack.
I clutched the strap tighter, panic squeezing my chest. Letting what was inside of this bag out of my sight wasn’t a good idea, but acting weird about it would tip off Trent and Jax.
“Yeah, sure.” I handed it to him and forced a smile.
He tossed it into the trunk with our luggage and closed the lid. Jax climbed into the backseat, and I got into the passenger’s seat. Trent slid in behind the wheel, graceful as ever. Simply watching him was breathtaking.
Trent put on a pair of sunglasses and started the car. “Ready?”
I hooked my seat belt. “Let’s do this.”
Jax was unusually quiet. I glanced at him. He was stretched out on the seat—as best he could in the small car—hands folded on his stomach, eyes closed. I’d be perfectly fine if he slept the entire drive. I could barely stand to be near him, and listening to his voice really did make me want to murder him.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. Tension coiled in my chest. I was afraid to see who it was; I wasn’t sure I could handle talking to Abby or Ellie right now. What if it was Aunt Beth? What if Dad had called her? I scrambled to get my phone out. Mild relief settled over me when Simon’s name appeared on my screen.
Trent growled under his breath.
“Somebody’s jealous,” Jax sing-songed from the back.
“Shut up, Jaxon,” Trent snapped.
I rolled my eyes and rejected the call. Simon called right back. I sighed.
“Obviously, he didn’t get the hint. I thought for sure our little display at his party would drive the point home,” Trent said, brow furrowed.
“Don’t be a jerk. Simon didn’t do anything wrong.” I rejected the call again, my heart splintering.
If Simon was calling me, then he must have forgiven me, or at least be willing to give me a second chance. Too bad I’d never get the opportunity to tell him goodbye.
My phone rang again. This time, I swiped my finger across the screen to accept the call. “Hello?”
“Chloe?”
I closed my eyes at the familiarity of how he said my name, the syllables twisted and exotic. I was really going to miss that.
“Yeah. It’s me,” I said.
“I’m sorry for how I behaved the other night,” he said.
Resting my head against the window, I blinked back tears. “It’s okay. I deserved it.”
Beside me, Trent growled again. I gave him a warning look. He didn’t have to like whatever relationship I’d had with Simon, but in my defense, I didn’t know Trent even existed. It’s not like I’d been cheating on him. And I wasn’t heartless. I wasn’t going to be unnecessarily mean to Simon.
“No, you didn’t,” Simon said. “Look, you know I like you, Chloe, and I don’t know what’s up with that Trent guy, but… can we hang out tonight? To talk?”
I rubbed my forehead, praying the ache would go away. “I can’t,” I whispered.
“Oh.” Simon’s voice was impossibly sad, and my heart broke a little more. “Okay.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, my voice cracking with emotion.
“You’re okay, right? He didn’t hurt you, did he?” Simon asked.
I almost laughed at that. If I knew anything about Trent, it was that he’d die before he ever hurt me. “No,” I said. “I’m on my way back to Keene Valley. I’m visiting for the summer.”
It was best to tell him the same story I’d told my dad. The only difference was, I hated lying to Simon.
“You’ll be back then, yeah?” He sounded too hopeful, and I hated myself for giving him false hope.
“I don’t know.”
“Right. Well, have a good summer, Chloe from New York.”
I smiled.
“Stay in touch, yeah?” he said.
“Of course.” But as the words passed my lips, I knew they were a lie. “I’ll talk to you later, Simon.” I ended the call and tucked my phone under my leg. Why did this have to be so hard?
Trent took my hand, laced our fingers, then kissed my knuckles. He mouthed “sorry.”
“Thank you,” I mouthed back. I’d forgotten how considerate Trent could
