16. Three Years Later
1087 Words
Chapter Name: 3 Years Later
Maxson
I finish zipping up my last suitcase, looking at my now mostly empty room before setting it on the ground. Now that I’m done packing, I take a chance to look at the clock, happy that I only have a few hours before I leave.
Relieved, I sit on my bed, getting ready to text Sophia. While we can link, it can be a bit intrusive occasionally, so when it’s not urgent, we actually use our phones. We kept our relationship a secret until our 17th birthday. Then, we were finally able to tell everyone we were together.
It still didn’t help us all that much. Ryder would barely let Sophia out of his sight. The only time we could see each other without her parents there was at school—otherwise, our dates were supervised at her mom's coffee shop.
We found time to sneak out and around, but it’s hard when everyone knows who you are.
Ryder hates me, and Rebecca doesn’t care all that much for me. I can’t say I blame them, but I thought they’d at least come around when we turned 17.
Before I can text Sophia, there’s a knock on my door. I call for them to come in and see it’s Grandma.
“You know you don’t have to leave here to go to school, right?”
I smile gently at her as I put my phone into my pocket and walk her over to the small table in my room. She sits down, and I can see her nervously tapping her fingers on the table. She has good and bad days. Today, clearly, is a bad day.
Her normally perfectly curled hair is nothing but a ball of frizz, and I can see she’s been picking at her nails again. I reach out and gently touch her hands, causing her to jump.
“You know, out of everyone, I thought you’d be the happiest I was going there.”
She pulls her hand away from mine, setting it into her lap as she starts picking at her nails again.
“I just wish you’d stay closer. Summerville is so far away. What if something happens?”
“Then we’ll handle it. It’s just for a few years. I need to get out of here and live my own life. Sophia and I need a chance to get away from everyone to be together.”
Grandma’s leg starts to bounce as she brings her finger to her lips and starts to chew on her nails. It’s hard to watch, really. Ever since my 15th birthday, she’s been completely different.
They don’t even trust her to watch the twins or Milo anymore. Mom says she’s handling M, but it doesn’t seem that satisfies Grandma in the least bit.
“I promise I’ll be okay.”
I reach over, taking her fingers out of her mouth and setting them down.
“If not, you know where to go, right?”
I smile, nodding at Grandma.
“You’ve told me many times.”
She stands up abruptly, so I do, too, following her to my doorframe. She wraps her arms around me, and I pull her into a tight hug.
I can hear her soft cry, and I pull away, looking into her sad eyes.
“I’ll be okay. Everything will be okay.”
Her eyes dart around before she looks up at me.
“Your mom didn’t want me to tell you this, but M is still out there. He’s not to be trifled with. I originally met him when I went to Summerville. If you encounter him, don’t go anywhere with him. Don’t take his help. It’s never worth it. If he contacts you, promise me you’ll call your mom immediately.”
This is the first time either of them has talked to me about M since that dinner. I assumed Mom had already handled whatever that situation was.
“I promise.”
Grandma seems to settle at that, and I can see some of her normal eye color come through as she looks back at me. Almost as if she has some clarity.
“And don’t party so hard. Just because you’re staying in that big ass house on campus doesn’t give you an excuse to party, mister.”
I smirk at her and shake my head. Man, I’ve heard about some of the stories Grandpa shared about his time at Summerville.
But, despite what any of them think, I’m not a little kid anymore. I’m finally 18, I have my mate, and I’m going out on my own.
After one last look at my bedroom I walk out, and into the castle lobby when I see Mom hugging Rina.
She sees me, and her eyes light up.
“I just got my acceptance letter! I’m coming with!”
My heart drops as I quickly rush down the stairs. I look at my mom as I take the letter from her hands.
Shit. She did.
“I thought you were staying here? And going to Storm Coast?”
“No way, not when I can go to Summerville with you.”
“She’s not living with us.” I look at Mom, her smile far too wide for my liking.
“Yes, she is. That place is huge. You won’t even notice her.”
“She’s not the only one going with!”
I turn around, my stomach dropping as my heart pounds when I see Damari walk into the room with a few bags. I open my mouth when my mom grabs my arm and pulls me to the side.
“You need protection there from someone I trust. Either he goes, or I go.”
“Definitely him.”
She laughs as she nudges me in the side. I smile down at her as she stares up at me, her facial expression changing as she studies me.
“You’ve grown up to be a wonderful man.” She reaches up, ruffling her hands through my now short hair. It was too unruly, being long and curly. A nice trim makes it much more manageable.
“Don’t make me regret letting you go there. You find yourself or Sophia in trouble, and you call me right away.”
“I will, Mom.” I wrap my arms around her, giving her a tight hug. We both hold on longer than we typically would. It’ll be a while before I see her again.
- Writer
