The Entitled (The Entitled Duet #1) - Cassandra Robbins Page 0,5
drift. And then I hear it—my phone vibrates as if it has a life of its own.
Sitting up, I grip my sheet like a security blanket, the feeling of doom taking over my body. I know whoever awaits me on the other end of the line is what has kept me up all night.
I think about ignoring it. Prolonging my fate, my body in fight-or-flight mode. Slowly I reach for it, transfixed as it vibrates then stops.
Pulling my knees to my chest, I wait.
I have long ago given up on trying to make amends with myself. My pain pierces into me and I wonder if I will ever get over it. The decisions I made will haunt me, torture me. And I own it. I’m not the same scared girl anymore—I can’t be.
The phone comes back to life in my hand and I jump. Blinking at the name on the screen, I don’t hesitate this time. I answer it because I’m not running.
“Hello.” My voice is gravelly and I try to clear it. I have a raspy voice to begin with; the morning makes it worse.
Silence. “Tess?”
“What’s wrong?” I demand, barely able to swallow, my guilt threatening to pull me apart, my body starting to tremble.
“Oh, Tess,” I hear him sigh. I can almost see him pinching his nose.
Dread snakes around me, almost crushing me. “What?” I snap. “What is it, Jax?”
“I’m tired.” His voice cracks. Compassion floods me along with terror. Jax rarely admits weakness.
“What’s wrong?” I’m trying to hide my panic, but I can sense the truth. My heart pounds so hard, I feel it in my temples.
He snorts. “Funny. That’s exactly what he said.” He chokes on a sob.
Holy shit, this is bad!
“Jax? You’re scaring me.” My own harsh breathing is audible. I swallow, trying to stop a panic attack from coming on.
“You need to come home, Tess,” he sighs. Your time’s up. I wish… shit, I don’t even know what I wish.”
“What are you talking about?” I almost scream, my throat tightening.
“Come home. It’s time,” he demands rather harshly. I must not respond because his next statement knocks the breath out of me.
“My grandfather died last night, and all hell’s going to break loose.”
I drop my phone.
TESS
Past – fourteen years old
My mother bursts into my room, right as I finish packing.
“Tess, come on. You know I need to get you over to Caroline’s.” Pleading, she presses her palms together at her chest. “I can’t be late for this appointment—it took me three months to get this plastic surgeon.”
“I’m almost ready.” I try to smile at her. She looks so nervous, and without makeup, she almost looks normal… well as normal as she can.
“I swear to God, Tess Rose Gallagher, if you make me late.” She’s screeching now.
“Mom,” I snap. “I’m ready. Jesus, you are getting more surgery. And I’m not coming home for weeks. I have to make sure I have everything.”
I haven’t spent the night at Reed’s in probably a year. When we were little, I slept over at their penthouse all the time. Not so much as we got older and it became apparent that Reed and I were together.
“Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain.” I stop for a moment. I can’t help but laugh because really? My mom has a mouth like a truck driver! She glares at me.
“Why don’t you have Alex drop me off?”
“Because I need Alex with me.” She nervously pulls her bleached-blond hair into a messy bun on top of her head.
That’s weird, but whatever—my mom is weird. We run out of the house. Alex is waiting and helps me with my Louis Vuitton duffel. It’s my latest gift from my absent father.
He smiles, and his white teeth clash with his tan. It’s so startling because no one is that tan in Manhattan.
The traffic is awful and Alex is swearing away. My mom doesn’t scold him about his language. We sit in uncomfortable silence as I stare out the window. My mind is going a mile minute. I get at least two weeks with Reed. That means we get to spend twenty-four hours a day together. Just as I start to think about Reed’s full lips and the hot way he kisses me, my mom decides to appease her guilt and talk.
“So, Tess…” I roll my eyes. “I know I said it would be a couple of weeks, but it might be more like three, is that all right, Kitten?”