I had to read The Odyssey last year and couldn’t understand a damn word of it. I shouldn’t be surprised my sister likes it though. She’s so focused on being the best student and joining clubs that she has no interest in because she thinks they’ll help her get into some Ivy League college.

Dani practically runs down the stairs and rushes past me.

“Where are you goin’?” I ask.

“None of your business,” she calls out.

“You’re my sister,” I tell her. “It is my business.”

As she’s about to leave the house, I block the door.

She puts her hands on her hips. “Get out of my way, Vic.”

“Nope. Where are you goin’?”

“I’m gonna be late.”

“I don’t give a shit if you’re late. Tell me where you’re goin.”

My phone starts to buzz. Damn. I left it in the kitchen. It’s probably Trey reminding me not to be late. “Wait here,” I tell Dani. “Don’t move.”

I grab my phone and head back to the foyer, but my sister obviously doesn’t listen because I hear the front door open and close. Dani has already left. I look out the window and see that my sister is about to get into a yellow Jeep.

Shit.

A yellow Jeep can only mean one thing…

Matthew Bonk.

Bonk would pretty much do anything to ruin my life, even if it meant using my sister.

He’s got my sister in his car and they’re driving off.

I quickly grab Trey’s cake for Monika and place it on the floor of my truck. I’m determined to get my sister back in one piece before the night is over.

I’m not too sure about the cake though.

Chapter Eighteen

MONIKA

Trey shows up at my house in the evening, all dressed up in jeans and a button-down white shirt. He’s got a smile on his face. “I have a surprise for you,” he says.

I’m just so tired of ignoring all the problems we have. “Trey,” I say. “We need to talk.”

“Can’t it wait? I’m trying to do something special for you tonight.” I hadn’t noticed that he had one hand behind his back. He brings it forward, revealing a red rose. “This is for you.”

I take the rose and, careful not to let the thorns prick me, smell its beautiful fragrance. “Thank you.”

“I want to take you somewhere, but I’d like you to wipe that concerned look off your face first. I’m trying here. Give me a chance. We can talk about serious stuff tomorrow.”

I sigh. “Okay. I can do that.”

He takes my hand and leads me to his car.

“Why are you hesitating?” he asks as I slow my pace the closer we get to his car.

I don’t know how to say this without him getting mad or annoyed. “Trey, did you take any pills tonight?”

“Why?”

“Because I’m not getting in a car with you if you did.”

He opens the passenger door. “I didn’t take pills, okay? Trust me.”

I get in the car and wish I was looking forward to whatever Trey has planned.

“Keep your eyes closed,” he instructs as he drives me to some secret destination.

“Come on, Trey, tell me where we’re going. I promise to act surprised when we get there.”

“Nope. Keep ’em closed. I know you like to be in control and like your life all neat and organized, but I promise it’ll be worth it this time around.”

This time around.

Which means he’s about to ask me to homecoming. For the second time.

Anxiety races through my body when things aren’t going right. I’m afraid of upsetting or disappointing Trey by ruining tonight. I just feel like we’re going through the motions of being a couple but we’re not actually feeling the emotions that couples are supposed to feel for each other.

The way I’m starting to feel about someone else.

I sit back in his car with my hands folded neatly in my lap and wait for further instructions. The radio is on and I can imagine Trey bobbing his head to the beat.

A minute later the car comes to a stop, and I hear him turn off the ignition.

“Don’t open them yet,” Trey says, excitement laced in his voice as I hear him get out of the car.

The warm Illinois air washes over me as I step out. Trey picks me up effortlessly while I wrap my arms around his neck so I don’t fall. We might be at the park by his house because grass crunches beneath his feet.

“Are we there yet?” I ask.

“Yeah.” Trey sets me down and whispers in my ear, “Open your eyes.”