Cryptic much? Smiling, I shake my head. “Why? What’s in an hour?”
“Nothing. Just meet me there. I’ll buy you lunch—you can’t say no! We just made up, and this is an extension of my friendship.” Carter pushes his dark hair out of his eyes and bumps me with his shoulder. “Come on, Kerry. You need to eat. So do I. Stop in the food court.”
“All right. Thank you.” This feels like a handout, and I’m not a fan. At the same time, I’m starving. I’m kind of thirsty, too. “See yo
u then.”
* * *
After rummaging through clearance racks at three different stores and an embarrassing incident involving my ass and a pair of skinny jeans, my new wardrobe is complete. The bags hanging from my arm contain garments appropriate for both class or a club, but the big-ticket most expensive outfit is the black suit jacket and matching tulip skirt. I even found stockings to wear with it. I hate stockings. They itch, roll in all the wrong places, and pick up runs way too fast. But for my plan they're a necessary evil.
With my shopping complete, I head to the food court. Carter is sitting at a table in the center of a throng of people. Behind me, a whistle blasts a warning pitch. A little train carrying squealing children passes by the outer edge of the seating area, its few adult passengers seeming like they’d rather be anywhere else. The perky music fades as the train disappears around the corner.
“Hey.” I plop my bags down on the table and grin at him. “Long time no see. Did you pick a Fitbit?”
He nods. “I did.”
“Awesome. Which one did you get?”
Carter pulls up the bag and takes out the box, pushing it across the table toward me. It’s the one with the honking big watch face that lights up when you tip it. Carter stands and starts telling me all the things it can do while we get in line to buy our food. I pick Nathan’s because it’s cheap. Two hot dogs, drinks, and fries for under $10 is a good deal.
When we sit down again, I put the Fitbit on the table in front of him. “It’s cool.”
“You like it?”
I slather my fries with ketchup and stuff two in my face. “Yeah. It’s practical and nice looking. Good combo.”
He puts mustard on his dog and takes a bite before saying, “Good, it’s yours.”
I choke and blink at him. “What?”
“I got it for you. You said you needed a watch, and I thought you’d like this one. I acted like an ass, and you were still really patient with me. For a dumb guy gift, it’s not bad, right?”
“No, it’s not bad.” Awh, shit. I try to avoid accepting the gift, but the way he said that makes it difficult to do without making it personal. “Carter, this is really nice, but it’s too much.”
“Kerry, we’re friends, and I wanted to do this for you. I’m not taking it back.” He doesn’t look at me, keeping those dark eyes trained on his plate.
I grumble in my head, not stupid enough to grumble out loud. I can’t say no. I know that, but it’s still a huge present. It cost more than my entire wardrobe—the entirety of which, minus a few sweat suits, is contained in the bag at my feet. Ugh. I manage a grateful smile and catch his eye. “This is really nice of you, Carter. I love it. Thanks.”
He lights up and starts telling me more about all the different things it does. Over the course of the meal, I have the new Fitbit strapped to my wrist and the app added to my phone. I pretend I’m excited, that things won’t be weird between us after this, but I know that the tip of the crazy iceberg has a Fitbit on top.
CHAPTER 3
When I get back to campus, I run up the stairs to my dorm room to grab my keys. When I yank the door open, I freeze. I didn’t think Mom and Matt would hang around and wait for me. Why are they still here?
My mother is sitting on my bed watching TV with my ex-boyfriend cuddled in her lap. The whole situation has a weird Oedipus vibe about it. She sits up, straightening her blouse and pushing Matt away. “Kerry.”
Blink stupid! Move your feet. Grab your shit, and get the hell out. “Hey. I’m not staying here, and neither are you guys. When I come back, I want you both gone.”
“Kerry Anne Hill!” Mom stands and attempts to use that tone that made me pee my pants when I was five. She steps toward me. “You will sit down and speak to us respectfully.”
I snort. “That’s not going to happen. You’re trespassing. Get out.” I walk over to my closet and pull open the door. There’s a tall dresser inside on the left. I tug open the top drawer and fish out my keys. Palming them, I turn on my heel to leave.
Mom steps in front of me preventing me from running away again. “I’m not trespassing. I paid for this room, as I paid for your tuition. If you don’t behave like a civilized adult, I won’t pay another cent.” Her lip forms a thin line as she stares me down. It’s not like her to make a stand—not one as ballsy as this.
“Really?" I lift a brow at her. "You stole my boyfriend, and, because I’m not okay with it, you’re going to steal my education too? Great. Is there anything else you feel like stealing from me?”
“Kerry, you sound like a spoiled brat.”