Eternal Promise: (The Cursed Series, Book 5)

out soon, hopefully.”
“Chloe?” Aunt Beth asked.
I shifted in my chair. “I haven’t applied anywhere yet.”
Uncomfortable silence descended, and I kept my head down, not wanting to see the looks of disappointment on their faces.
“Chloe,” Aunt Beth said with a sad sigh. “This is because you’re getting married, isn’t it? You’re giving up college to—”
“No,” I said, jerking my head up to look at her. “This has nothing to do with getting married. I just don’t know if I want to go to college. That’s not a crime.”
“Is this really what your mother would want?” Uncle Dean asked.
I glared at him, astounded that he’d throw my mother in my face like that. “Mom would want me to be happy, and I am.” I pushed vegetables around on my plate, appetite gone, but I highly doubted either of them would let me leave the table.
“She’d want you to go to college,” Aunt Beth said. Her tone was softer, but the underlying disappointment was still present.
“I didn’t say I was never going to go. I just don’t know if I want to go right after high school,” I said, hoping they’d back off if they thought I was simply delaying college as opposed to not going at all. “And right now, I’m focusing on finishing high school and planning the wedding.”
“How is the planning going?” Uncle Dean asked.
His question shocked me into momentary silence. “Oh, um, it’s going good.” I glanced over at Abby, but she was too engrossed in her food. “We’ve decided on August eighth of this year,” I said.
Aunt Beth nearly choked on her food. She coughed and took a drink of her soda. “This August? That’s kind of soon, isn’t it? I thought you were going to wait.”
“We are waiting—until after graduation.” I swirled pieces of my steak in the butter that had melted off my potato, trying to avoid her judgmental gaze. “Please don’t make a big deal about this.” I dropped my hands into my lap and glanced up.
“We’re not,” Uncle Dean said, covering Aunt Beth’s hand with his. “Trent’s a good guy. But we don’t want you to give up your future because of him.”
“He is my future,” I said harsher than necessary. “And if I decide to go to college, I’m sure he’ll go with me.”
“I’m only applying to the local community college,” Abby said suddenly.
My body sagged with relief. I could’ve kissed her right then for jumping in and saving me from her parents’ barrage of questions.
Abby sat up straight. “At least Chloe knows what she wants to do after high school. I have absolutely no idea,” she said. “So, don’t be too hard on her.”
I gave her a grateful smile, and she returned the gesture.
“Well, I suppose community college is better than nothing,” Aunt Beth said.
“Really, Mom?” Abby dropped her fork to her plate with a loud clang. “Who are you to lecture us about college when you never even went?”
“Abigail Jean,” Uncle Dean scolded, his brusque voice making me cringe.
“Well, it’s the truth,” Abby said. She stood and gathered her plate. “I’m done.” Then she left the dining room.
I grabbed my plate and followed. We were silent as we scraped our uneaten food into the trash and as we walked upstairs. Abby stormed into her room, slamming the door. I walked in behind her.
“What was that down there?” I asked. I’d never heard her speak to her parents like that before.
“I’m just so annoyed. I mean, there is so much going on, and they’re worried about friggin’ college. It’s stupid.” She flopped down on her bed with a groan.
“Because they have no idea about the stuff we know, and it’s not like we can tell them,” I said, sitting on the edge of her bed.
“I have no idea how you kept all of this a secret for so long.” Abby sighed and draped her arm over her face.
“It wasn’t easy,” I said. “But I’m glad you know now. I finally have someone other than Whitney to talk to about everything.” I laughed.
Abby’s phone rang. She rolled over and snatched it off her nightstand. “It’s Isach,” she said, swiping her thumb across the screen.
That was my cue to leave. I gave her a thumbs up as I walked out of her room, and she rolled her eyes, but she was smiling, so that was a good sign. I wandered into my room, my head pounding.
After changing into pajamas, I climbed into bed and called Trent. Normally, he answered on the first or second ring. This time, he didn’t answer at all. That was strange. Was he out hunting? He normally told me when he was.
A second later, my phone rang, and Trent’s name appeared on my screen. Smiling, I accepted the call. “Hey,” I said.
Raucous laughter greeted me followed by Trent threatening to kill someone. “Hey, Chloe, sorry,” he said.
“Uh, what’s going on?” I asked.
“Colt and Jax,” he said, his annoyance evident in his tone. “They thought it would be funny to hide my phone.” He paused. “Please tell me you didn’t get any weird messages from me.”
I laughed. “Nope.”
“Thank God,” he said. “I swear, I’m gonna kill both of them in their sleep.”
“No you’re not,” I said, knowing full well that despite being annoyed, Trent loved having both of his brothers in his life again.
“So, what’s up?” he asked.
“I told my aunt and uncle that I wasn’t applying to college because I wasn’t sure I even wanted to go, and they freaked out. Then I told them we settled on August eighth for the wedding, and Aunt Beth was not happy,” I said. “She thinks we’re rushing things.”
“Do you think we’re rushing things?” he asked.
“No. I think we’re taking entirely too long.”
Trent laughed, the sound bringing a smile to my face. “I agree. I’m sure they’re still adjusting to the idea of you getting married so young. Give them time.”
I eased out of bed and wandered toward the window, secretly hoping Trent might be out there. He wasn’t. “I hope you’re right,”