Elite (Empire High, #2)(22)

I couldn’t stay here. If I did, I’d probably never wake up. I looked behind me at the door to the kitchen. No one was watching me. If I was going to escape, now was my chance. Felix was somewhere in this apartment building. All I needed to do was sneak out.

I stood up and looked down at my feet. I guess it would have been a good idea to wear shoes so I could flee. But I didn’t necessarily need shoes to roam the halls of this apartment building. I was sure the fancy carpets in the halls were regularly cleaned. And even if they weren’t? I’d risk the cleanliness of my feet to stay alive.

A floorboard creaked as I tiptoed out of the dining room. I cringed even though I was pretty sure Isabella and her mother had left. Running into them without Mr. Pruitt there to protect me was my worst nightmare. And why had he protected me? It didn’t make any sense. He’d kicked out his legitimate family and taken my side. To someone else, it may have been reassuring. But it wasn’t when I knew for a fact that he’d never wanted me. It was just odd.

I took a left down the hall past the room with the piano. The way to the front door was the only thing I’d remembered about this whole stupid place. I was relieved when I reached it without running into anyone. I grabbed the handle, but it didn’t turn. I turned the lock and pulled again, but it didn’t budge. What the… I stared at the keypad to the side of the door. Oh no. It was just like the one by the elevator in the other apartment. What kind of maniac made it impossible to leave? This was a fire hazard. The apartment complex shouldn’t allow it. I tried the handle again to no avail. Damn it. Freedom was just on the other side of that door. I hadn’t come this close only to be stopped by a stupid code. Come on. I pulled again.

“Mr. Pruitt insists on locking everything down once he retires for the night.”

I almost screamed. I hadn’t heard Miller sneak up behind me. “Miller, you scared me half to death.”

He smiled. “I’m sorry. I was trying to find you, but you left the dining room before dessert.”

I just stared at him for a moment. Had he heard the argument? He must have. Or he must have at least seen the red wine on the wall and the shattered glass.

He cleared his throat. “A young man stopped by while you were eating dinner. Felix Green. Here’s the message he left.” He handed me a folded piece of paper.

I opened it and read the short note.



I was hoping to surprise you. But apparently the Pruitts don’t do surprises. Pretty lame if you ask me. And the guy that answered the door said I needed to be on the approved visitor’s list? I requested to be put on it, but then he said it would take a few days to run the necessary background checks. What the hell is that all about? I’m pretty sure he just didn’t like me. Call me. Or better yet, get the hell out of there and come over. I live in 24C.

-Felix



“Boyfriend?” Miller asked

I didn’t even realize I was smiling until the corners of my mouth fell. “What? Oh. No. Just a friend. Why didn’t you let him in?” It couldn’t have been the background check that Felix had mentioned. That was clearly a joke.

“Mr. Pruitt has rules about these things.”

Or maybe it wasn’t a joke. “Background checks for visitors? Really?”

He shrugged but didn’t offer any details.

“So…instead of letting Felix in, can you let me out?” I gestured to the keypad behind me. “Or give me the code?”

“Locking everything down when Mr. Pruitt retires extends to everyone in the household.”

Okay. “But Felix invited me over.” I waved the note in the air. “He lives in this building. I’ll be back in just a few hours,” I lied. I was never. Ever. Coming back to this place.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t let you out.”

“You’re…that’s…isn’t this kidnapping?”

The corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly. “If I was allowed to let you out or give you the code, I would. But I can’t. And I almost forgot, I have about ten missed calls and a voicemail for you on my phone from…Matt?”

Oh God. “I’m sorry about that.”

“Is he your boyfriend?”

Why was he so interested in whether or not I had a boyfriend? “No.” My voice came out harsher than I meant for it to. But I didn’t want to have this conversation with him. I wanted to be on the other side of the door.

“Pretty sure he thinks otherwise. Mr. Pruitt will want a full disclosure on all your relationships.”

Ew. No. I stared at Miller. “What did Matt say in his voicemail?”

“Something about needing to talk. And that his lawyer is having trouble finding a loophole. He said he was sorry like ten times.”

I knew I’d asked him what Matt had said in the message. But the fact that he’d listened to it was a little invasive. I was too defeated to care though. A part of me had been holding out hope that Matt’s lawyer would come through, even though Matt never seemed to. Matt had promised I wouldn’t have to stay here. But another broken promise added to the list was no surprise. And honestly, he probably didn’t even care anymore. If the rumors about him were true, he was probably getting over me by working his way through the cheerleading team a second time.

“Are you okay?” asked Miller.