Page 5 of Old Money

“Of course,” I say. “The suite is yours.” She smiles and nods.

“I think I’m going to try to sleep,” she says, standing slowly from the couch. I stand with her.

“Of course,” I say again. “If you need anything at all, I’m the door down the hall. Help yourself to anything in the kitchen you want, anytime you want. And Sawyer?”

Her big eyes look up to me.

“I’m right here, okay? You’re not alone.”

She smiles slightly and nods then heads for the stairs.

I’ve been lyingin my bed for about two hours now, staring out at the city. I haven’t had much time to do my own processing because I’ve been so distracted by Sawyer’s. The adrenaline has kicked in again, making me wired and jumpy. If I had stepped onto that campus just a few moments earlier or a few moments later…who knows. That might have been it for me. I check my phone every few minutes, seeing if Tierra was able to make Emily’s reservation, but nothing.

And then I hear a loud crash from down the hall, and I’m on my feet in a moment, heart racing. I knock on her door and wait a beat, but there’s no response. I turn the handle and find that she didn’t lock it. When I open it, I see her crouching down on the ground, picking up pieces of a broken vase. The light from the hallway hits her perfectly, and I see the tears in her eyes and streaming down her cheeks.

“I’m so sorry if I woke you,” she says, trying to steady her voice. “I was trying to get to the bathroom, but I ran into the dresser and knocked the vase off. I’m sorry. I’ll get this cleaned up—” she says, looking down at the mess. I walk across the room slowly so I don’t scare her, and when I reach her, I bend down and grab her wrists. I pull her gently to her feet and lead her a few steps away from the glass. I look down at her for a moment, and then I pull her into my chest. I cradle her head against my bare skin, and I feel her arms snake around my body as she finally gives in. She sobs into me, her tears streaming down my stomach. We stand like this for what feels like hours but, in reality, is only a few minutes. When she’s calmed down some, I get her some tissues from the bathroom and lead her to the bed. I pat it for her to sit down, and then I clean up the glass and flowers and blot the water up with a towel.

She’s still sitting as still as a statue when I walk over to the bedside and grab the remote from the nightstand. I turn on the TV and look at her.

“When I was a kid, this is what I’d watch with my grandfather when I couldn’t sleep,” I tell her. I turn on episode one ofCheers,and I let the bright colors and warming theme song fill the room. Then I pull the armchair next to the bed closer to it. “Is it okay if I stay in here and watch with you for a bit?”

She nods, looking up at me through puffy eyes, the tears still gleaming on her face. I scoot closer to her then turn the volume up some and put my feet up on the ottoman. She slides her hand farther across the bed in my direction, leaving it at the edge, and without saying anything, I put mine on hers. As soon as I do, I feel her clutch onto me. She doesn’t need words right now. She just needs to know someone is there. And that’s going to be me. After a few minutes, she finally drifts off to sleep. I lean forward, careful not to move our hands and disturb her, getting slightly closer to her. I stroke her hair gently, staring at her, wondering all there is to know about this beautiful young woman in front of me.

I don’t know anything about her, but I do know that I’d do anything to take away the stain that this day will leave on the rest of her life.

SAWYER

When I wake up, it takes me a moment to remember everything that happened. For a moment, I have peace. I’m staring out over the upper west side, looking down at Central Park and the city that never seems fazed. But when I see my new phone on the nightstand next to me, I remember where I am and why I’m here, and that sinking feeling returns to the pit of my stomach.

I slink out of the bed and let my feet hit the floor, making my way out the door and down the stairs. I can hear Julian on the phone.

“No. No, I don’t want anyone to know I was there. No, this isn’t about me. There are people—college kids—dead. This doesn’t need to be the Everett show. Yes. Just find out who they all were, and make an anonymous donation to cover all the funeral costs. Yes. All of them. No. Yes, okay.”

College kids dead.And he’s paying for the funerals. The pit grows deeper in my belly.

When I get to the main level, I see a woman in the kitchen, putting out platters of food, Russ and Tyler are near the elevator, and Julian is still talking, pacing the apartment. When he sees me, he smiles.

He hangs up and makes his way toward me as I reach the bottom of the stairs. I look up at him, and for a moment, I feel a little lighter. His dark waves are styled immaculately, and he’s wearing a shirt and tie that would normally make me feel a little weak in the knees.

If it weren’t for the circumstances that brought me to him, these last sixteen hours or so would have me absolutely salivating over him.

“Good morning,” he says.

“Good morning,” I say back.

“Bonnie is in the kitchen, whipping up a few things. I wasn’t sure what you liked, so she’s made a few different dishes.” I nod. Something she’s making smells delicious, and suddenly, I’m very aware that I haven’t eaten in almost a full twenty-four hours. “I have to go, but Russ is going to take you to the airport. Your mom’s flight gets in in about an hour.”

That’s the best news I’ve heard in…well…sixteen hours.

“Oh my gosh,” I say, “thank you so much.”

“We reserved a suite for the two of you in the city for as long as you need.” My eyes widen.

“Julian, you’ve done enough,” I say. His eyebrows knit together as he stares down at the ground, then he lifts his eyes to me.

“No one should have to go through what you’re going through, Sawyer,” he whispers, and I swallow the lump in my throat. “Campus is still locked down,” he says. I swallow again, but it’s getting harder.

“Is there…has there been any…” My voice trails off.

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