Fallen Crest High (Fallen Crest High #1)(45)

As I went through the kitchen, a big black bag was in the foyer along with hiking bag. Mason dumped a rolled up sleeping pad beside it a second later. He had changed into ratty green khaki shorts and a sleeveless black shirt. It was tattered along the edges and had two gaping holes in the back.

"Where are you going?"

It took me a second to realize he'd asked my question. I frowned at him. "I'm going on a run. Where are you going?"

He checked his watch. "It's after six. You were up all night."

I kicked at his bag and heard pots and pans rattle against each other. "Where are you going?"

'Who's Marissa?'

He grimaced for a moment and then flipped his black sunglasses over his eyes. I could no longer read him. "We're going camping."

"Camping?"

"Something we do." And he turned to leave again.

I was a bit miffed as I stood there. He'd been all buddy-buddy and now—nothing. Camping. That's it. No other explanation, but then again I had to remind myself—who was I kidding? These guys weren't my stepbrothers and I highly doubted their father would really marry my mother.

Everything hardened inside again.

The truth was that my mother and I'd be out within three months. That was my guess. When that happened, it'd be like none of this happened. No Logan. No Mason. No Nate. Nothing. And I'd have to deal with Lydia and Jessica once again.

With that thought, I felt another burst of adrenalin surge through me and I could barely hold it in as I jumped through the door and started running.

None of it matter. I mattered. I was the only one. I had to take care of myself.

Those thoughts kept flashing through my head as my feet pounded the pavement. I ran and then I ran some more. Sweat was dripping off of me and leaving trails wherever I went and I went everywhere. I soared past Adam and Becky's house once, and then ran past it again.

Then I found a park and sprinted over the bridge. Ducks and geese scattered for me and the water felt good as I darted through a small part of a pond.

When my legs started to hurt, I headed back. And as soon as I approached the front lawn, my body crumbled. I fell to a heap on the lawn and stayed there until my heart and chest slowed down.

I was barely aware of the sounds of a car pulling out of the garage until it slowed beside me.

"Samantha?"

A black Rolls Royce had stopped beside me and my mom peered over James who was in the driver's seat. She was dressed in a pink dress with a hat perched on top of her head.

I frowned as I sat up. Was I delusional? My mom looked like she was dressed for a role in a Southern movie. "Where are you guys going?"

"It's Sunday, honey. We're going to church." She frowned a little. "Would you like to come? We could go to the later service."

I couldn't hold back my full body grimace. "No. I'm okay."

"Did you go running this morning?"

I heard the strain in her voice, but ignored it when I tried to stand. My legs were still wobbly. "No. I just look like I did."

"Samantha."

I groaned. "What? Of course I did."

"Well. Okay. Go inside and drink lots of water. And please eat something, Samantha. You know how I worry."

James said something to her and my mom called out again, "Oh, honey. The boys went camping. They'll be gone most of the week so if you'd like to have any friends over, go ahead. Maybe Jessica and Lydia? Or even Jeff? Are you two still together?"

James said something else under his breath to her and my mom giggled. "Okay, honey. We have to go. Love you."

She waved as he pulled out of the driveway. And then it was just me. I had the mansion all to myself. I trudged through the place and into my shower. After that, I curled under my sheets and rolled over.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The guys were gone for an entire week. I had no idea how they could do that, but they did. I shouldn't have been surprised. I avoided my mother during the week and only once spotted James. I'd been sitting in the study room, which looked like my school's library when he walked in.

The door shut behind him. I lifted my head from the book I'd been reading. We stared at each other.

He was dressed in a pinstripe black business suit and he had a black briefcase in hand. When I saw a small brown bag in his other hand, I hid a grin. Mousteff must've gotten to him too.

Then he took a deep breath. "I am aware your relationship with your mother is none of my business, but I would like to get to know you at some point. I love your mother very much and I do not plan on letting her go."

And then he left.

He came in as was silently as he left and when I watched the door slide shut behind him, not a sound came from it.

Chills ran down my body and I pushed back from the table and when to where I'd once seen Mason pull some brandy from a counter. It was still there and I took a swig of it. Maybe daytime alcoholism would be my next venture?

I put the bottle away when my stomach started to churn. Then I heaved a deep breath. Nope, daytime alcoholism wouldn't mix with me and I went back to my room and for my running gear.

When I was running back, it had been dark for an hour and a set of headlights approached from behind. I was two blocks from the house and I veered to the side. Most cars swept past, some slowed for caution, but this one slowed so it followed behind me.