Empire High Betrayal (Empire High #3) - Ivy Smoak Page 0,44
I was trying to keep her calm while I figured out a way to get out of it.”
By letting her touch you? I took a deep breath. It didn’t matter. He’d forgiven me for what I’d done. And I could let that go too. As long as it didn’t’ continue. “I just need to know that you don’t like her back.”
“I swear I don’t like Isabella. I loathe her.”
And her whole family. My family. But I’d meant what I said. I was going to be a Caldwell soon enough. And I wasn’t going to let Matt’s opinions of my new family bother me. I barely knew any of them. But I knew Matt. I stared into his eyes. “She said she could date you before she married James. And that maybe she’d keep you as a houseboy.”
“Is that like some kind of man servant?” He laughed. “It doesn’t even matter.” He cradled my face in his hands. “I love you, Brooklyn. I’ve only ever loved you.”
“You promise?”
“I’ll only ever love you, baby.”
I stood up on my tiptoes, sealing my own promise to him with a kiss. I promise to only ever love you too.
Chapter 15
Tuesday
Matt smiled as I walked downstairs in his varsity jacket. It was one of the few things that Isabella hadn’t managed to ruin. And I’d be lying if a small part of me wasn’t excited to rub this jacket in her face at school today.
“Now it’s official,” Matt said and pulled me into his arms.
“The ring didn’t do it?” I smiled up at him. I knew he was probably still a little upset with me. But he didn’t look upset right now.
He dropped his head, letting his lips graze against mine. “My ring on your finger and my jacket on your shoulders? Either would have been a win. But both?” He kissed me slow. I was still getting used to his slow kisses. I loved these kisses more than the frantic, secretive kisses he used to give me. Because these meant more. These were real.
“Are you sure you’re up to going to school?” Matt asked.
“Yeah. I don’t want to just sit around all day again.” I pressed my lips together because we both knew I’d done a lot more than that yesterday. “And I also need to talk to Felix.” Really? That was what I thought would be good to mention right now?
Matt sighed and shook his head. “What are the odds that he’s going to propose to you in gym today?”
I laughed. “Slim to none. And I told you, James was just joking around.” I’m pretty sure.
“He’s trying to steal you away from me because he’s an ass.”
Yeah. Maybe. But James had also promised to try to fix things with Matt after our Isabella prank. I just needed to make sure I didn’t have to meet up with the Hunters anymore in order to pull it off. I was going to fix everything. And Matt would be happy then. And so would James. It was a win-win for everyone.
I looked up at Matt’s face. He didn’t look upset. He looked…uneasy. Like he was worried today was going to be a disaster. But he had nothing to worry about. I slid my hand into his. “Trust me, there’s no way James could ever steal me away from you.”
“Yo,” Mason said through a bite of granola bar. “Come on, we’re gonna be late. Morning, sis,” he said and winked at me before making his way out the ornate front doors.
“Well, at least he knows you’re off-limits,” Matt said as I pulled him outside.
“I’m off-limits to everyone but you. The ring and the jacket, remember?”
“Promise not to take them off?”
“I promise. But I’ll have to take the jacket off in gym.” I took every promise very seriously now. And I wanted to make sure he knew it. “I don’t think Coach Carter would like it if I was running around on the track…” my voice trailed off. I couldn’t run today. I was wearing my thickest socks and walking still hurt a little. “Actually, I guess I won’t be participating in gym today.”
“You’re sure you don’t want another day to rest?”
“No, that’s ridiculous.”
“We’re good, man,” Mason said as Miller approached us. He lifted up a pair of keys. “I’ll drive them.”
“She comes with us or doesn’t leave at all,” Miller said.
Wait…Miller? Miller was waiting by a brand new SUV. Miller and the SUV were both a surprise. He’d said he was going to quit.