Fallen Crest University (Fallen Crest High #5)(66)

A decision was made. I saw it. She came to some conclusion.

Her chin lifted higher. “Screw it. I’m going to tell you everything—”

“Summer, darling?”

She swore before whipping around. Her whole body tensed. “Molly. Hello.” Her tone was guarded. Her chin went from determined to bracing.

A woman in a yellow dress was coming toward us, holding two flute glasses and wearing a large white hat. The hat was a third of the woman’s weight. It could’ve toppled her over, but she kept coming with a graceful smile on her face. When she stopped in front of us, wide, blue eyes ignored Summer and were transfixed on me. She was a stunning woman, but the term airhead seemed appropriate to describe her.

She wouldn’t hold a candle to Helen or Malinda or even Analise.

“You must be Samantha.” She thrust both of the flute glasses to Summer, saying, “Here, dear. I brought you each a mimosa.” As soon as her hands were clear, she reached for me. “I have to give you a hug. I have heard so much about you from Sharon. She’s raved about how beautiful you are, and she wasn’t exaggerating. You, my dear,” she held me in front of her, enraptured, “are just stunning. Absolutely stunning. Summer mentioned you were pretty, but she didn’t do you justice. You look so much like Garrett. I’m in shock.”

That snapped me out of it. My eyes went flat. “I’m nothing like him.” I rolled my arms, loosening her hold on me, and I stepped back. “Not to be rude.”

She didn’t look offended. Her smile only increased. “Yes. You have the same fighting spirit as him, too. I can see it in you. You’re so much stronger than Summer here. Summer, dear, you should be taking lessons from your roommate. I can’t help but be charmed by you, Samantha. I’m so glad that Summer finally invited you to our family dinner.”

Finally? I threw Summer a look. Finally?

She wasn’t looking. Her eyes were fixed on something in the distance. Her throat trembled. I got the impression she was fighting back tears. A wave of remorse rolled through me—no, forget that. She lied to me.

She was Garrett’s goddaughter.

That was enough to bring back the anger. Once it clicked back into place, I felt safe again, and I said, “Well…” I searched for words. There were none. I wanted to get out of there. “I’m leaving. What’s your address?”

“Why?”

“I’m going to call a cab.”

“What?” She asked Summer, “Did you do something to upset her?”

Summer sucked in a breath and let it out, her cheeks flaming red, “You, woman, are a piece of work. You know why I haven’t been able to tell her the truth. You guys even approved, telling him it would all be worth it.” She pointed at me. “It’s not worth it. She’s upset! And Garrett’s here. I heard her yelling. He hadn’t even told her about her little sister until today. She has every right to be angry.”

Sister…

I have a sister coming?

Summer and Molly were snapping at each other, but their voices went away to the distance for me. I couldn’t believe it. A sister. He said a baby, but I hadn’t really thought about it. Another excuse. That was all I’d heard. Another excuse for his absence, but now…it was seeping in.

The corner of my lip twitched. I was going to be a big sister. A real sibling, with my same blood, I closed my eyes, not one from Analise.

Garrett was whatever he was. Distracted, forgetful, neglectful—I didn’t know. But he wasn’t Analise. That child wouldn’t have what I had—my mother.

Good for her. Relief poured through me at the thought of what my sister would be saved from.

My little sister got a shot at a good family with two parents. A lump formed in my throat, and I swallowed it, shoving it down. Garrett would be a good dad. My jaw firmed. I was going to make sure he would be.

“Samantha?”

It was him, and I pulled myself out of my reverie.

He stood to the side, frowning fiercely at me. “I’m sorry that I haven’t called. I really am.”

Molly sighed, grabbing ahold of Summer’s arm.

He continued, “I didn’t grow up in a family where phone calls were a common occurrence. It’s not an excuse. It’s just…I don’t think about calling because I’m an idiotic father, and I have no idea what I’m doing. It’s not worth much, but I wanted you to know that I didn’t not call on purpose. Well, I did, but it wasn’t to hurt you or keep you out of the loop. We didn’t know at first. Sharon didn’t want to say anything. Miscarriages run in her family. She said she’d probably lose the baby, so I didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up. Then, she did.”

He blinked rapidly. Some moisture built up in the corner of his eye.

He ignored it. “It hit us harder than we’d thought. It hit me harder than I’d thought, but we kept trying, and it happened almost immediately. The second one…we thought we were good to go. I called David, but you were on a run. He told me you were getting ready to go to Cain University. It was a month before or maybe more than a month. He told me when you were moving there and everything. I was going to surprise you and help you move in, but I wanted to wait again. I wanted to be sure to have good news for you, but we lost the second one.” His voice grew hoarse.