Still The One - Carrie Elks Page 0,64

her eyes. “Thanks for the ride home.”

He brushed his lips against hers, curling his fingers around her neck. “I’ll call you later. And don’t forget that math assignment. It’s due on Monday.”

“I won’t.” She watched as he clambered down the steps to his new car. He’d saved for months for that old Camaro, but even then it wasn’t quite enough. Luckily, Gray had sent him some money for his birthday, enough to make up the shortfall. He started up the engine and it roared into life, spluttering as he pulled away. He honked the horn, and it made her jump. Van shook her head and walked inside to her bedroom.

Opening her closet, she knelt down, reaching out to pull out the old shoebox she’d stashed at the back. Pulling the lid off, she looked at the rolls of bills she’d put inside. Her wages from the drive-in. She didn’t have to count them to know exactly how much there was. Two thousand, three hundred and sixty five dollars. Taking her latest envelope from the back of her jeans, she sorted through the bills, then added them to the appropriate rolls, fastening them with a rubber band.

Two thousand, four hundred and fifteen dollars now. By the end of the summer it should be more than three thousand. Enough for her to pay her rent and to afford food for her first term. Maybe more if she could find a way to make it last.

That money was her ticket out of town. Her chance to be like every other kid around here. Sure, Tanner and their friends would all get help from their parents, but it didn’t matter. She didn’t need her mom’s help, she could do this by herself.

“Van?” The front door clicked open, and Van hurriedly replaced the lid on the box and pushed it back to its hiding place in the closet.

“In here, Mom.” She stood and brushed the dust from her jeans, walking over to her bedroom door. “Everything okay?”

“Not really.” Her mom sighed. “I’m heading to bed. Did you get paid?”

“Yep.” She pulled five bills from her pocket. “There you go.”

Her mom nodded, then leaned forward and ruffled Van’s hair. “You’re a good girl, you know that?”

Surprised by the uncharacteristic show of affection, Van blinked. For a moment she felt bad, thinking about her college money. She knew it would help, but she couldn’t bring herself to give it away. Not when she knew her mom would spend it on drink and good times.

“Thanks, Mom,” she said, pressing her lips together. “Good night.”

“Night, honey. Sleep tight.”

Van closed the door again, and slumped on her bed, grimacing at the way the mattress sunk down in the middle. Just a few more months and she could leave this place – and her mom – behind forever.

Strange how that made her feel more than a little nauseous right then.

Chapter Twenty-Four

“Hey, Tanner!” Johnny Fairfax called out as he hurried across the verdant town square. The flowers were blooming in their beds, a pool of color at the base of each oak tree. “Hold up a minute. I want to talk to you.”

Tanner glanced at his watch. He was due to meet Van at the drive-in. “Everything okay?” he asked.

“Everything’s great.” There were dark circles of sweat beneath Johnny’s armpits. “I drove past your site yesterday. It’s coming on. I heard on the grapevine you’ve set the opening date. July fifth, is that right?”

“Yeah.” Tanner nodded.

“When are you sending the invitations out?” Johnny asked, a hopeful smile on his face. “I know that Mrs. Fairfax is hoping one will land in our mailbox.”

“They should be going out this week. And you’ll be invited, of course. Everybody in town will.” Tanner gave him a short smile.

“And how’s young Savannah getting on? I have to say I was surprised when I heard you’d employed her to manage the place.” Johnny lowered his voice. “Her mom once stole a lot of money from me. I think it’s laudable that you’re trusting her with your business.”

“She’s working out great.” Tanner took a deep breath and checked his watch again, this time making a show of it. “I need to go. Have a good day.”

“Wait!” Johnny grabbed his arm and Tanner did his best not to shudder. “Just keep an eye on her. That’s all. Take it from me. There are certain families around here that would steal the coat off your back if you let them. I always check my staff’s work. Even Regan’s, and she’s