I’m trapped. At least that’s what it’s felt like for the past three days. I’d been all but forced to leave the mountain with everyone, and to say things had been tense since then is an understatement. Carter was livid with me when he showed up at Connor’s cabin. You would have thought I was his girlfriend and I’d cheated on him.
I know for a fact he slept with Paige the night we’d gotten to the lodge. She was pissed that he’d been strong-arming everyone to make sure I got on the plane with the rest of them. He said if I didn’t, my host family would be kicking me out. I have no doubt the Bartons would cave to whatever Carter’s family demanded of them.
If he’d been so dang pissed at me, then why the hell did he care so much that I leave with the rest of them? He could have left me behind, but nope. Not only was I forced to come back, but Tyson and I both had to go back to Carter’s family's estate to stay since the Bartons are still on vacation and won’t be back for another few days.
I’ve done my best to stay the hell out of Carter’s path, but I think he needs to speak to someone about his mood swings. On the rare occasions I do run into him in the hallways or at the kitchen table, he goes from icy to sweet. It’s keeping me on edge.
“Would you stop that?” Carter comes out of nowhere and snatches the phone right out of my hand.
There are only two landlines in the house. One is in the kitchen and the other is in Carter’s father’s office. No one is ever allowed to go in there, so when I get the chance, I sneak down to the kitchen to use that one. I’ve tried calling the lodge to get a hold of Connor, but each time, the call doesn’t go through.
Right now with how busy the house is and with everyone preparing for a party, I thought I could blend in when I slipped downstairs to try and call again.
“Am I not allowed to use the phone?” I ask as he hangs it back up.
“You look pathetic. He’s not answering. He got what he wanted from you, and now he’s done.”
“He didn’t fuck me,” I hiss in Carter’s face, unable to control myself. My emotions are all over the place. I miss Connor so much. The ache inside of me is starting to become unbearable. The worst part of it is that I’m scared Carter is right and that I’m being pathetic.
Carter’s brows rise in surprise. I’m not sure if it’s because of my outburst or the fact that I admitted Connor and I hadn’t gone all the way. When a smile pulls at Carter’s lips, I quickly regret my outburst.
“So he lied,” he says smugly.
“What?” I ask confused.
“You think he didn’t come back bragging? Talking about what the two of you did?”
“He wouldn’t.” I shake my head and fight the feeling of betrayal that rushes over me. Connor isn’t that kind of man. No way. He didn’t want to even talk to his own family about us, and that wasn’t because he was hiding us either. He kissed me right in front of them.
Plus, when I’d been getting all my crap together to leave the lodge, I’d spoken with Natalie. She didn’t want me to go. She all but implied I’d break Connor’s heart. I wanted to believe that so badly, but we barely knew each other. It’s hard for me to believe a man like Connor would fall in love with me so quickly. That he'd believe in things like love at first sight.
“He did. Good for you, Evie. He didn’t get to take that from you.”
“Take? What the hell is wrong with you?”
Carter’s smile falls from his face. “I’ve been good to you. Why can’t you give us a chance?”
“Are you serious right now? You’ve slept with every girl in school!” I point out. Not to mention the horrible things he’d muttered about me on the plane ride back. How has he forgotten so quickly?
“Yeah, but if you were mine, I’d only sleep with you.” I can’t with him.
He reaches out and pulls on the end of my braided ponytail. I want to smack his hand away, but he’s already pulling it back. No reason to further piss him off especially if I still have another few days here.
“Whatever, Carter.” I go to step around him to make my escape back to my room.
“The party starts in an hour,” he reminds me.
“I’m not going.” Hanging at a party with all these rich, entitled people is the last place I want to be.
“You’re a guest, and it would be rude to my parents.”
“Your parents care if I go to their fancy party?” I find that hard to believe.
“They would. My mom got you a dress. It’s why I was looking for you. I dropped it in your room.” I open my mouth to tell him I’m not going, but he cuts me off, knowing what I was about to say. “Don’t forget my parents still have to report back to the Bartons on your behavior. Don’t forget who they are, Evie.”
I want to scream at him, but I try to hold it together. “Can I go now?”
“You can go get ready.” He steps to the side to let me get by, and I rush past him.
He’s such an asshole, but he’s right. His parents do have a lot of control and pull. The reality is, I don’t know what is going to come of Connor and me. I have a few applications to some colleges, but I haven’t heard back from any yet.
I know that should be the next step in my life. It’s really the only one I have. Or it was the only one I thought I had. My whole life, I’ve always made steps in whatever direction was provided for me. It was never out of desire for what I truly wanted. It was about keeping a roof over my head and food coming. Nothing more.
Where else would I go? College gives me some stability and a place to figure out what I want to do with my life. I need to be able to get a job to make a living of some kind. Madison Prep will have a ton of pull when it comes to where I might get accepted along with any scholarships I might get.
For all I know, Connor and I are over. Who knows what he thinks with how I rushed off? I keep hoping that the storm closing in is the only reason we’ve been out of contact with each other. Clearly the lines are down at the resort, and even though he might not want to talk to me, I’d think the resort would still be taking calls for reservations if they could be.
The not knowing is driving me insane.
I’m merely moving through the motions now, but I realized what I wanted most when Carter made his veiled threat. I want to go back and be with Connor; I just can’t see how that’s even possible at this point.
I could graduate today with all the credits I have and go be with him. I would love to explore what Connor and I have, but I have no idea where I’d be if it didn’t work out. Carter could throw a fit and make sure Madison Prep said the worst things about me to any college I applied to, and I’d be screwed.
My stomach sours when I see the dress Carter left for me on the bed, and I loathe that he can walk right into my room. It’s a sliver shiny little thing that I’d never want to wear. Does he really think I’m going to wear this and did his mom actually get this for me? I suppose she does wear these kinds of dresses, but she can’t be serious.
A knock sounds at the door before it starts to open, but whoever it is isn’t waiting for me to answer. “Evie? I brought you some shoes.” Carter’s mom Marilyn stands in the doorway.
“Oh, thank you.” I walk over to where she’s standing and take the heels from her. When I see how high they are, I want to cry. I’ll break my freaking neck in them.
Marilyn is always nice to me, not that we really talk much. “You’re coming. right? Carter said you wanted to and you would need a dress.” Marilyn’s already had her hair and makeup done. She’s normally polished, but tonight it’s more than usual. She reminds me of Barbie or one of those Stepford wives.
“You didn’t have to do all this.”
“Carter seems to really like you and wants you there, so I’m happy to help.”
“Thanks.” I give her a smile because what else am I supposed to do? Tell her that her son is blackmailing me? I’m guessing she’s not going to believe it. Or maybe she would believe it but wouldn’t care.
“See you down there.” She closes the door behind her, and I know I have no choice at this point.
I’m going to the stupid party.