Empire High Betrayal (Empire High #3) - Ivy Smoak Page 0,23

the front of my tank top.

Matt leaned forward and pulled my strap back in place before turning to his brother. “What the hell, man? Can’t you knock?”

Mason shrugged. “Dad wants to talk to you guys,” he said as he leaned against the doorjamb. “Should I tell him you two need a minute?”

“No.” My voice came out squeaky and high-pitched. “We’re ready now.”

Mason laughed. “At least Matt didn’t pull a Rachel and try to bite your nipple off when I walked in. Come on, it seems like Dad’s in a significantly better mood now that Mom told him to be.” He pushed himself off the doorjamb but didn’t move.

Mason had seen my left boob. Now half the Caldwells had officially seen my left boob. Why was this happening? I could feel my face turning red.

“No need to be embarrassed,” Mason said. “You have great tits.”

“Get the fuck out,” Matt said and threw a pillow in Mason’s direction.

Mason laughed as he walked back into the hall.

Matt cupped my face in his hand. “I’m so sorry,” he said. “Ignore him.”

“It’s okay.” But I knew my cheeks had to be red.

“I’ll lock the door next time.” He climbed off the bed and put his hand out for me.

Next time. I put my hand into his. What if his dad made it so there would never be a next time? My body felt alive. More alive than it had ever felt. I wanted to spend the rest of my life in Matt’s bed.

He put his arm around me. “Mason was right though.”

About what? I looked up at Matt. Oh. Oh. He was referring to the comment about my breasts. Could my cheeks be any redder?

“Don’t worry,” Matt said. “My mom will have convinced my dad that you can stay. And we can pick up where we left off.”

I hoped he was right.

We wandered down the creepy hallway and back downstairs to the kitchen.

Mr. Caldwell was sitting at the kitchen table drinking his hot chocolate. Mrs. Caldwell was sitting next to him. They both smiled when we walked in.

“Would you like another cup?” Mr. Caldwell asked and gestured to the hot chocolate. “There’s plenty.”

I shook my head. Please don’t kick me out. Please.

“I called your father,” he said.

That probably wasn’t good if they didn’t like each other.

“My wife and son kept the fact that you were related to Richard from me. All I knew was what Matt first told me. That you were new in town. And that you were living with your uncle.”

I nodded.

“So you can imagine my surprise…”

Mrs. Caldwell cleared her throat.

“The funeral was very nice,” he said.

I’d forgotten that he had been in attendance. “It was.” It was until I had been taken away. I could feel tears welling in my eyes. I was getting closer to my dad. But suddenly the distance felt momentous. He’d kidnapped me during my uncle’s funeral. I couldn’t trust him. I wasn’t a Pruitt. It was just like Matt said. I’d never be a monster. “Please don’t make me leave,” I said.

Mr. Caldwell smiled. “I would never make you go back to him.”

Him. My dad. I should have wanted to defend him. But how could I? I didn’t even know if Isabella was being punished for what she did. As far as I knew, she was just hanging out back at the apartment with her evil puppy and plotting her next murder. But at the same time, my dad had taken care of me. He’d made sure Kennedy was okay. He’d promised to keep me safe. I still wanted to stay here though. With Matt. With his family that knew how to smile for real.

“His bodyguards are to stay outside at all times,” Mr. Caldwell said. “They won’t interfere with our own security. I’ve told Richard as much. As long as they stay outside, you can stay here.”

I blinked fast, forcing my tears to stay at bay. “Thank you.” I walked over to him and hugged him.

He awkwardly patted my back for a second. But then he hugged me back. And it was stupid, but it felt like a hug from my uncle. Which made me tear up all over again.

I pulled away. “Actually, I’d love another cup of hot chocolate.”

He smiled and nodded to the chair.

“How about a round of cards?” he asked. “Matt, go get your brother.”

***

We spent hours together in the kitchen playing Canasta, a game I was apparently terrible at. But it was so much fun. Mrs. Caldwell made these delicious cheesy snacks