I Won't Give Up on You (9 page)

Walking out of Caston’s office I was in shock. His mom is alive? How? My thoughts consumed me. It wasn’t until we got to Sara’s car that I realize I’d walked the entire way without my crutches. I stop abruptly, causing Sara to almost run into the back of me.

“What the…”

I spun around, coming face to face with her. “I just walked this entire way without my crutches. I don’t even feel tired and my leg doesn’t hurt.”

A huge smile engulfs her face. “I was waiting for you to notice.”

I want to jump up and down, but I know better than to push my luck.

“You were a walking zombie. Apparently you made up with Caston, so what’s on your mind now?”

Arriving at the car, I slid into the passenger side of her red BMW X6. “Caston just told me his real mom is alive. What do you know about her?”

She starts the car and turns to face me. “I know. He mentioned something to me. It’s fucked up, but I only know what you do. I mean, he’s told me the story James has told him, which I assume is what he’s told you.”

I nod, feeling slightly hurt she knew before I did.

“Caston will figure this out, don’t worry.” She pats me on the leg high enough to make my insides flutter.

Blushing, I look out the window. She laughs. “I love when you blush.”

“Caston says the same thing all the time.”

“I always knew he had good taste.”

We both laugh. She backs out of her space and heads for the exit.

Driving in silence for a little while staring at the passing scenery I catch site of a blacked out SUV following us. My heart starts to beat hard when I notice it’s doing exactly what we are.

“Get out of here, Sara. I mean now, let’s go.”

She looks at me confused, but floors it, weaving in and out of traffic. I keep glancing behind us as the black vehicle does the same, following our every move.

“What the fuck is wrong, Bre?”

“I think we’re being followed.”

Sara weaves in and out of traffic. I keep my eyes glued to the cars behind us. I see the blacked out SUV turn a few streets back. I take a deep breath and turn in my seat to face forward.

“They turned.”

Sara quickly turns off onto a side street and throws the car in park. “Sabrina, my God, we could’ve been killed, the way I was driving. It was probably some random person driving down the street.”

I cringe, feeling bad for scaring her. Sara’s trying to catch her breath.

“I’m sorry, Sara. I could’ve sworn—whatever, it’s over with, let’s go pick up Beth.”

She turns toward me and glares, her eyes shooting daggers. “Sabrina, you tell me someone is following us and now you say forget about it. No way. Spill it.”

I bite the tip of my thumb and look out the window. The tension in the car could be cut with a knife.

“Sabrina.” There’s warning in her voice.

Turning back toward her I take a deep breath and start, reluctantly. “Okay, fine. The last week, or so, I’ve felt that someone has been following me, watching me. I’m just anxious. Caston hasn’t noticed it, so I’m sure it’s all in my head. I mean, this is my first day out without him. He would’ve noticed, wouldn’t he?” My voice cracks with uncertainty.

“I didn’t notice anything, Bre.” She reaches across the car and touches my arm lightly, making me jump.

Shaking my head, I bite my lip. My voice starts to waver, “When we pulled out into traffic it did the same. Sara, I think I’m going crazy.”

“Bre, you were stalked and shot. You’re entitled to feel scared and unsure. This is your first time out without Caston, you’re going to see things that aren’t there. It’s okay.”

“Are you sure? How are you holding it together so well? You were kidnapped and held against your will too.”

She nodded. “Jon and I turned it into a sex game. Made it a fucking hot fantasy.” She blushes and shifts in her seat. “Yes, it’s sick and twisted, but I guess that’s who we are.” She laughs, throwing her head back before looking at me seriously. “Yes, I’m also sure it’s okay to be jumpy and unsure too.”

She pushes a hair off my forehead, tucking it behind my ear. My insides warm. Forcing myself to smile at her, I didn’t feel much better, but I put on a brave face.

“I do think you should mention it to Caston. I know you don’t want to because he’ll tighten your already short leash, but if there’s someone following you and you didn’t tell him…” She whistles shaking her head.

I laugh without humor. “You’re right.”

Sara starts the car and pulls out into traffic again. “I know I’m right. Now if you see the scary black vehicle again, can you tell me calmly?”

I smack her arm, and we both start laughing. “You’re an ass.”

“Oh, I like ass.” She wiggles her eyebrows.

“Sara, you are something else.” I roll my eyes.

She looks over at me and winks. “Would you want me any other way?”

Reaching over she grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze.

“No way,” I say.

Traveling along in silence for a while, I think about the last few months and how my life has changed. What a whirlwind. Finally arriving at Beth’s apartment, I smile at the memories we shared in her small living room.

“Ready to get your shopping on?” Sara asks as she parks the car in the guest parking spot.

“No,” I groan. Shopping is a thorn in my side.

Turning toward me, she clutches her chest, like I’m giving her a heart attack. Just as I’m about to respond to her, there is a knock on my window. I let out a screech. Beth starts laughing hysterically as she jumps into the backseat.

“Who’s ready to shop?” Beth beams.

Sara responds with a shriek, clapping her hands like a little kid. I turn to face the window, rolling my eyes at both of them.

They were gabbing back and forth about what style of dress I’d look good in and what color bridesmaid dresses they were going to look at. I take out my phone and send a text off to Caston as I tune out the chatter.

I miss you. Wish I was with you instead of here.

I palm my phone and gaze out the window again. All the talk of A-line, ball gown, and mermaid style makes me want to crawl under a rock. My phone chimes a return message.

I’ll take care of you tonight. Just enjoy yourself. Love you.

I squeeze my thighs together, wondering what he has in store, idly pondering if he would consider going to the club tonight. Smiling at the possibility, I reluctantly give myself over to my girls and shopping.

“Earth to Bre…”

My head flips around to see Beth leaning over to the front seat staring at me, and I realize they aren’t talking anymore.

“My God, Sara, look at the shade of red her cheeks are. What’d that text say?” She moves to grab my phone, but I pull it away just in time, before I shove it into my purse.

“Nothing. Just promises.”

The girls giggle, and I see Sara eyeing me over Beth’s shoulder. Pulling up to the shop, we all get out of the car. Sara has gone ahead of us to tell the consultant we’re here for our appointment while Beth and I take our time. Beth gives me the biggest hug. “I’ve missed you girlie.”

“Me too, Beth.” I really did.

She links her arm in mine. “He treating you right?”

I stop short almost making her stumble. I look at Beth like she has two heads. “Are you serious? No offense, but I’d rather be with him then with you girls. If you know what I mean.”

She laughs with me. “Great to hear, Bre. You deserve it. I’m so happy for you.”

Wanting to catch up with her a bit, I ask, “Have you heard from Broc?”

She runs her hand through her hair and shakes her head. “He keeps trying to get me back. I use him here or there, when I need to get off, but that’s about all he’s good for. He needs to learn I won’t always be there when he needs me. I know he still feels guilty for what happened to you.”

I shrug my shoulders. “Beth, I never… maybe I should call him. I need him to know it was my fault, not his.”

“He’d like to hear from you.” Her face looks a little sadder. “I’d like to meet my prince charming, like you have.”

It makes my heart hurt for her. I make a mental note to call Broc. Wrapping her in my arms, I whisper in her ear, “Beth, you deserve the best. You’ll find the one, I can feel it in my bones.”

We get to the door, and I take a deep breath. “Here we go…”

As we step through the open door, Sara turns around to look at us. She walks up to us, handing each of us a glass of champagne. “Who’s ready to get this party started?”

Beth shrieks, and I groan. Sara laughs at me. Raising the glass, I down it in one gulp. I walk further into the room filled with white gowns. We wait for the consultant to meet with us to discuss what ‘I see myself in’. The girls have their own ideas.

I reach for the champagne and fill another round. I sit quietly, trying to decide when I’ll be able to get a word in, but since it looks like that isn’t possible, I stand up and turn toward them.

“Okay, look, here are the rules; no crazy, expensive, over the top, cupcake looking dress. Got it? I have a budget in mind, and I’m sticking to it. I know Caston said it doesn’t matter, but it matters to me.” I point to Sara and then to Beth. “Got it?”

They laugh. “Got it. Maybe. If the dress if phenomenal you’re getting it,” Sara declares.

Shaking my head, I take another sip. “Now, on to the next important issue. I need my best girls at my side. I want Sara to be my Matron of Honor and Beth to be my Maid of Honor. Will you girls stand by my side and help me?”

They both jump up, almost tackling me, yelling variations of, oh my God, oh my God and yes! It was almost in unison.

The consultant finally joins us. We start going over styles, and I once again zone out, letting Sara and Beth work their magic.

Then the question of the hour, the consultant turns to me. “So, Sabrina, when is the wedding?”

They all fall quiet, waiting for my answer. I chuckle. “Well, we haven’t set a date yet. We were waiting until I felt comfortable with…”

Beth grabs my hand and assures me, “We’ll be there for you whenever you decide.”

“I think I’m ready. He’s been so patient with me.”

A few hours later, I’m finally handing the credit card over, and I have a genuine smile plastered on my face. Sara comes up behind me and wraps her arms around my waist and pulls me close her.

“You look so beautiful in that dress. Caston is going to flip when he sees you.”

Having her arms around me, I flush slightly. “I’m already nervous, and we haven’t even set a date yet.”

“You have nothing to worry about.”

Pulling myself together, I text Caston that I found a dress. I know he’ll be happy to hear it. Grabbing the bag of sexy lingerie I bought to surprise Cass with, I check my phone to see if I have a response yet. He hasn’t even read the message. I start to get a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach. Something isn’t right.

Sara and Beth are waiting for me. Walking through the doors, I suddenly feel light headed. A chill runs through my body, and I break out in a cold sweat. My chest feels constricted, and my stomach flips. I cover my mouth, turn to the bushes, and proceed to lose the contents of my stomach.

Feeling hands on my back, I know Sara is there. I sink to the ground, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

“What’s wrong, honey?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know what came over me. Maybe the champagne isn’t agreeing with me.”

“Let’s get you home.”

Looking at my phone again, I still don’t have a text back from Caston. It makes my already churning stomach clench again.

Sara helps me up and walks me back to the car. Beth hands me a bottle of water and wipes my forehead with a cool cloth that she got from the ladies in the bridal store. “You guys are too nice to me.”

Beth hugs me. “Bre, we love you.”

“That was so weird. It came on all of a sudden.”

Sara gets into the driver seat and starts the car. “I just sent a text to Caston to tell him we’re on our way back.”

“Has he responded?” I ask Sara.

“No, why?”

“I sent a text to him before I left the store, and he still has yet to respond. That isn’t like him.”

“Definitely not,” Sara says as she eases her way onto the highway.

Beth rubs my shoulders from the backseat. “I’m sure he’s just busy, Sabrina.”

I hear the worry in her voice, and Sara’s biting her lip as if she’s worried too. I try not to think negatively and lean my head back. Taking deep breaths, I will my stomach to settle. The sky is beginning to darken with storm clouds and it racks my nerves more than I want to admit. Something is off, I’m just not sure what.