Rush: The Season (Austin Arrows Book 1)(134)

“You know you could’ve talked to me about that. I would’ve tried to help you. I could’ve posted from my account to ensure your safety.”

“I put the bar’s phone number,” I argue. I really was being safe. I didn’t put any information about myself, and I didn’t answer any messages that I got. Not that I got many.

My mom laughs, but it doesn’t sound like she finds it funny.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I wanted to find him.” I look at James. “Aren’t you glad I did it?”

“I am,” he says softly.

See? I knew he would be on my side.

“But, Bianca,” he continues, “I agree with your mom. Going behind her back… Not only does it hurt her, but it puts you in danger.”

“But I wasn’t in danger. It wasn’t like—”

“Bianca,” James says more firmly. “We understand why you did it. And I’m extremely thankful that it worked out. However, the way you handled it wasn’t the right way.”

“I’m sorry,” I tell him. “I won’t do it again.”

My mom sighs. “I’m glad it worked out, too. But Bianca, you’ve been defying me quite a bit lately. First it was your hair, then it was the Facebook stuff. I think proper punishment is in order.”

“What?” My mother has never punished me before. “Like what?”

“You’re grounded from your phone for one week.”

“One week! Are you insane?” I can’t believe she’s doing this! “That’s not fair. You know it’s not fair.” I can’t stop the tears from falling.

“Bianca…”

“No! That’s not fair. I wanted to find my dad. That’s my right. I can’t be punished for that!”

“You’re not being punished for finding him,” she clarifies. “You’re being punished for the way you’ve been handling things lately.”

“You act like I’ve done all this stuff!”

My mom’s eyes narrow. “You want to tell me about the text messages you sent to Kingston?”

Oh, crap.





Ellie

I’ve been constantly glancing at the clock for the past half hour. That’s exactly how long it’s been since James and Bianca left to go to dinner. Because of our talk, they had to switch the movie to afterward. They tried to get me to go with them, but I couldn’t. I don’t want to lead Bianca on and make her think something is going to happen between her dad and me.

It was bad enough that Spencer came over to inform me about Bianca’s text message to Kingston. No wonder the man won’t even look me in the eye. My own daughter told him that I was gearing up to move in with James. I can’t imagine how hurt Kingston was to hear that from her. I’m still upset that she did it.

Her argument for it was that the only thing in the world that she wants now is for me and James to get together so we can all be a happy family. James and I both told her—again—that wasn’t going to happen. She had the decency to look contrite. Our conversation got a little heated, and I’m not sure it ended the way Bianca hoped it would—despite all her arguments, she is still grounded from her phone—but I feel better now that we’ve talked it out.

Granted, dealing with a distraught preteen who won’t have her cell phone for a solid week… That’s going to be torture. I’m not sure who’s going to be punished more, her or me.

Grabbing the remote, I flip on the television, then head to the kitchen to grab a glass of wine. I thought about going to the restaurant tonight but decided against it at the last minute. I knew I would be too worried about Bianca to be effective. Plus, Julie seems to have everything covered anyway. I think I might have to hire the girl on full time. She has been a lifesaver these last few months.

With wine in hand, I’m about to sit on the couch when my doorbell rings.

I look at the door, then over at the television, then down at the leggings and sweater that I threw on earlier.

I didn’t order pizza.

Noelle said she had plans.

Spencer told me he had something to take care of.

Bianca’s having dinner with her dad.

Who could possibly be at my door?

I set the glass down and head over when the doorbell rings a second time. A quick check in the security hole and my breath gets stuck in my throat. Then a stampede of butterflies takes flight in my belly.

Somehow I manage to turn the knob and open the door, coming face-to-face with…

“Hey.”

My heartbeat accelerates at the sound of that voice, and I find myself looking up into Kingston’s beautiful brown eyes. That flutter turns into a full-on butterfly ambush, and I might feel a little nauseated.

I didn’t expect to see him. In fact, I wasn’t sure we would ever have a personal conversation again. Ever since I went to his hotel room in Colorado and we made love, I haven’t talked to him. No texts, no phone calls, no nothing. It’s possible that I’ve shed a tear or two while in the shower, but since it’s the shower, and it is, you know, wet, I can’t be sure.

Not that I want Kingston knowing that.

“Hey,” I say, realizing I’m still staring at him.

He looks so good.