Empire High Betrayal(5)

“James, I didn’t mean to ruin your relationship. I…”

“You didn’t ruin anything. We’re going to be fine.”

“It doesn’t seem like you guys are fine.”

He shrugged. “Well, maybe she shouldn’t have cheated on me.” He was acting like he didn’t care, but I could tell that he did.

“I really do think it was just a kiss,” I said. “I don’t think she slept with Matt.”

He shook his head. “Does it really matter? How would you feel if you found out Matt was kissing someone else while you were dating?”

I swallowed hard. I had kissed someone while I was kind of dating Matt. Was that the same as this? Rachel was upset and went to Matt. I was upset and went to Miller. My stomach churned. “It sounds like she’s sorry. Maybe you should give her the benefit of the doubt. Besides, didn’t you get even?”

“I love her. I love her so fucking much and she betrayed my trust. I’d have to do a lot more to get even.”

“That doesn’t sound very healthy.”

“I didn’t say I was going to do it.” He lowered his eyebrows again. “Are you seriously analyzing my relationship right now? You’re the one that came here instead of going to Matt. Maybe your relationship is as unhealthy as mine.”

“Matt lives outside the city. It would have taken me forever to walk to his house.”

James stared at me. “You still chose to come to me.”

“Because I had your keycard.”

“You still chose me.”

I laughed.

“That,” he said. He reached up and lightly touched the bottom of my chin. “That. Don’t let Isabella ever take that away from you.”

I swallowed hard. “Take what away?”

“Your happiness. Your hope.” His eyes drifted to my lips. “Your innocence.”

My heartbeat kicked up a notch.

He closed his eyes for a second, his eyebrows drawn together. “I want to kiss you again,” he whispered. “And I don’t know if it’s because I like you. Or because I want to make Rachel feel like I did when she kissed Matt. Or because you remind me of what Rachel was like when we first met. Before my world corrupted her. Or because I’m still mad at her. Or if it’s because you’re hurt. I don’t know why.” He opened his eyes and they bore into mine. “But I want to.”

I stared back at him. “Making a second mistake doesn’t right the first one.”

“Kissing you wasn’t a mistake, Brooklyn.”

Yes it was. “I was actually referring to Rachel kissing Matt.”

“You really think it was just one kiss?” he asked. “You really believe him?”

“I do.”

James’ eyes travelled back to my lips. “I don’t. I don’t trust a word out of his mouth. And I still want to kiss you.”

I knew he didn’t mean it. He was just hurting. “I think you’re just scared that Rachel doesn’t love you back anymore,” I said. I knew the feeling. I was currently worried that Matt wouldn’t love me back once I told him about Miller. “And maybe you think I could fix that feeling. But I can’t.”

“Maybe you could.”

I looked up at him. “I’m not going to kiss you again. But I won’t turn down a hug. I could really use one.”

He laughed. “Yeah. I can do that.” He pulled me into his arms. “You’re going to be okay, Brooklyn. I’ve got you. Everything is going to be okay.”

I didn’t know if anything would ever be okay again. A revenge kiss hadn’t made James feel any better. Would revenge against Isabella be just as bitter? I wasn’t sure if I cared if it was. I wanted her to feel the same way I had tonight. I wanted her to suffer.

“You’re safe now,” he whispered against my ear.

I wasn’t safe. I wasn’t sure I’d be safe unless Isabella died before she had a chance to kill me. But I wasn’t a murderer. I wasn’t her. So why did I so badly want her to die? I closed my eyes tight. I just wanted to wake up from this nightmare. I wanted to be back home with my mom. I wanted to rewind time.

A loud bang on the door made me jump. Oh God. What if Isabella had already found me?





Chapter 3


Saturday

I backed away from James and the door. “How did she find me?” It felt like my lungs wouldn’t inflate. Was Kennedy okay? Had Isabella already gotten rid of her? I can’t breathe.

James put his hands out like he was dealing with a crazy animal instead of me. “It’s probably just Mr. Pruitt, Brooklyn. The front desk said he would be right up.”

Whoever it was started knocking harder and I jumped.

“It’s okay,” James said.

It sounded like someone was hitting the door with a gun. “No, it’s her. James, don’t answer. Please just let me spend the night. Please.” I was gasping for air. I shouldn’t have let him call downstairs. Isabella had eyes and ears everywhere. She knew. She freaking knew.

He lowered his eyebrows. “Brooklyn, it’s okay.”

I tried to tighten my map around me, but instead it started to tear down the middle. Shit. I didn’t want to die half-naked in James’ hotel room. Everyone would actually remember me as a prostitute. I didn’t want that to be my legacy.