Page 20 of Powerless
“You’ll be here in the morning?” This is what she’s always asked me on bad nights. Like she wanted to make sure I wouldn’t drop too far into my sadness. So far I wouldn’t come back.
“Where else would I be?” is what I’ve always responded with as my hand slides over her damp hair. Because I will be.
Because she’s a tether that has never let go, even when I’ve wanted her to. Before I joined the Eatons, I felt like no one would miss me if I were gone. But now I know that’s not true. They would. Sloane would. And that’s always kept me grounded in a way I needed so desperately as a grieving teenager.
She pulls away with a quiet sniffle and downcast eyes. “Goodnight, Jas. Just knock if you need me.”
“Goodnight, Sunny.” I ruffle her hair and turn away.
We head to our own rooms. The same way we did as kids.
I crouch to fit through my window and curl up on my bed. Then the insistent pressure in my chest cracks and the tears come.
Just like they did when I was a kid.
The difference is, I wish Sloane were still pressed against me, and I never wished for that back then.
6
Sloane
*27 missed calls from Sterling*
*12 missed calls from Dad*
Sterling:Where’d you go? Come back. We need talk about this.
Sterling:Sloane, this is humiliating. Everyone is waiting. Can you have your temper tantrum later?
Sterling:Your dad is furious. We’re going to have to cancel all the caterers. Everything. I’m not dealing with this shit.
Sterling:This is fucking bullshit. Get your ass back here and sign the paperwork so we can move on.
Sterling:I’ll go to Grand Cayman by myself.
Sloane:Take the stripper. She deserves a vacation after putting up with you for even one night.
Iwrench the passenger door of Jasper’s SUV open. Ialmostmissed him.
“What are you doing?” His eyes widen beneath the brim of his maroon Calgary Grizzlies cap pulled down low.
Ignoring his question, I toss my purse into the back and crawl into the seat beside him. He smells minty and fresh, but the circles beneath his eyes are dark and his handsome face looks drawn. He looks sad, but edible in a pair of torn jeans and a downy plaid jacket. I glance down at my simple gray sweat suit that could fit two of me inside it.
Harvey laid it out on my bed for me while I showered last night. I’m sure it’s his, but I’m not about to put my wedding dress back on. So it’s good enough.
I reach forward to crank up the warm air coming from the vents. “Fucking freezing out this morning,” I mumble, catching sight of myself in the rearview mirror, hair all wavy and disheveled, eyes all puffy.
“Sloane. What are you doing?”
I rub my palms together and blow into my cupped hands before reaching over my shoulder to buckle the seat belt. Strapped in, I have a better chance of not launching across the center console to hug the man beside me. “I’m coming with you, Jas. What does it look like?”
He blinks at me. “I have a game tonight.”
“I know you do.” I hunker down into the leather. “Does this thing have heated seats?”
He scoffs. “Of course, it does.” He reaches forward and presses the button that puts the seat to full heat.
“Perfect.” I turn wide eyes on him, signaling that he should get going, but he just stares back at me.
