Page 64 of Old Money

I play one of my mom’s voicemails.

“Baby, call me, please,” she says, “I need to make sure you’re okay. How did this happen?”

Yoooooo, JULIAN EVERETT?! WHATTTTT,a text from Maddie reads.

Another text has a link to an article. I click it, and my stomach somersaults.

Julian Everett Dating Carrington University Student,the headline reads.

Oh, fuck.

Julian Everett, eldest son of Cato Everett, was seen cozying up to Carrington student Sawyer Willis at a private party at Bedell House a few weeks back. Drone footage caught the two on the grounds during what sources say was the birthday party of Julian’s stepmother, Angelina.

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuckety fuck.

The photo is blurry, but it’s clear enough to make out me over Julian’s shoulder as he carried me through the garden.

How did they know it was me?

“I’ve had a few classes with Sawyer,” says her classmate, Elle Richards. “She’s a great girl. I’m so happy that she’s happy.”

Elle Richards? I don’t even know an Elle Richards.

My heart is thudding in my chest, and I can feel the bile building up.

What do I do?

But there’s no one to ask.

Because he’s not here.

I take a breath and call my mom.

“Baby, hi,” she says. I can hear the plates clanking in the background, and I know she’s at the diner. “Are you alright? What’s going on?”

I pause for a minute. As much as I’d love to fall apart right now, I can’t. Because she’ll get on a plane. She’ll fly out here the second she knows I need her. She’ll give up her shifts and have to work doubles when she gets back to make up for it.

I swallow back the lump in my throat.

“Hey, Ma,” I say, keeping my voice as light and airy as possible. “We’re not sure how it got out yet, but I just wanted you to know I’m okay. We knew this would happen eventually. Just, uh…just keep an eye out around you. Eventually, they’ll find you too,” I tell her.

“Jeez, baby, this is a lot,” she says. “Don’t you worry about me. Areyouokay?”

I quickly brush her off, desperate to get off the phone.

“Yes, yes,” I say. “Really, I’m fine. The Everetts know how to handle this, luckily. I’ll let you know how it’s all going. I promise.”

She sighs on the other line.

“Maybe I should come out there,” she says.

“No, Ma,” I say. “No. Really, I’m fine. We’re fine,” I lie.

“Alright,” she concedes. “But please call me if anything changes. Keep me posted.”

“Okay, Ma. I love you. Bye.”

My fight-or-flight is activated.

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