Page 96 of Puck with Karma
I get in his face.
“I hated that fucker before, and I hate him even more now. Why is everyone I know wanting a piece of him? Do you wanna go be his best friend, too, now?”
I’m pretty sure spit just flew out of my mouth when I yelled that last part. Noah, to his credit, doesn’t back off. Instead, he brings a hand to his face and, with one finger, wipes at his cheek.
“I have to say that I never imagined being your friend would be so much chaos,” he starts. “I always thought you were this awesome dude, always chill and shit.”
He crosses his arms over his chest and stares at me.
“But dude, you arenotchill. Like,at all. You are the opposite of chill.” He pauses for a second. “What the actual fuck?”
I prop my hands on my hips and hang my head down in shame. He is right. I am a fucking mess all around. Things with my father are still up in the air, and things with who I was thinking of as my girlfriend are officially over.
And I don’t know how to recover from any of it.
Chapter 28
Abby
I think I’m crazy. I’m not just saying it, I truly believe it.
I’ve been in New York City for a week now. I am staying at a nice and expensive hotel downtown, close to where I know my brother lives. And I have been in recon mode ever since Wesley dropped me off.
I’ve walked by his building two-three times a day, always looking for a glimpse of him while at the same time, scared to death that I would actually run into him. Twice now, I thought I saw him driving away, but the windows on the car were tinted, and I couldn’t be sure.
I walked in a couple of times and asked the doorman about Bran. The man was cautious in sharing any information.
I also snuck inside once. I made it to his floor, but when I made my presence known, a woman answered the door. I asked about my brother, and he wasn’t home. I got scared and ran away.
“Just go and ring his doorbell,” Hannah now encourages me. I never told her about the one incident where I came face to facewith the woman in Bran’s apartment. “That’s what you’re there for, is it not?”
I tried conferencing in both of my friends, but Riley was at work, so I only got Hannah this time.
“It is, but…”
“There shouldn’t be anybut, girl,” Hannah chastises me. “You got this. Besides, not like you can just waltz back home now. Everything is a mess,” she laughs.
Riley works at the country club that my parents are members of. Apparently, my mother has been walking around, confirming to anyone who would care to ask that yes, her daughter is engaged to be married to the heir of one of the oldest names in Massachusetts. To my horror, I even saw something online about it.
“I talked to Wesley about it,” I tell Hannah. “He just needs a couple more days before he puts out a statement. He begged me to keep the appearances for now.”
“That’s good,” my friend gives her stamp of approval. “I hope you two have all your ducks in a row. And I hope you can still afford that fancy ass hotel you’re staying in since you now committed to this business deal with him.”
I have to say that the amount Wesley was hoping to get from my father is staggering. I had not expected that at all. When I offered to be his investor instead, I expected my trust fund to not only cover his requirements, but to also leave me with a good chunk of cash. Instead, most of it will go into his business, and I’ll have a little bit left over, just enough to find a job and try to support myself.
I’ve never been in this situation before, and I am scared to death.
“Welcome to the real world, chickie,” Hannah laughs. “You’re gonna love it though, I promise,” she adds. “Besides, youknow you’ll always have me and Rye to help you, too, should you need it. I have an extra room, and…”
“I’m sure it’ll all work out,” I interrupt her. “I’ve never had a roommate in my life. I’d probably make your life miserable.”
“Good point,” Hannah laughs. “Let’s just keep it as a very last resort, alright?”
I chuckle. She is funny with how straight forward she is. “Sounds good.”
“Okay, now to the situation at hand,” she switches gears on me. “You’re going to hang up the phone, march into that building, go up to your brother’s apartment.” She pauses. “Are you following?”
“Yes,” I snort in laughter.
