Eternal Promise: (The Cursed Series, Book 5)

I said.
“So, the college thing… you’ve decided you don’t want to go?” His tone was hesitant, as if he were worried I might overreact.
“I’m not sure. I mean, I know I don’t want to go to college straight after high school. Maybe in a few years,” I said.
Though, with any luck, in a few years I’d be raising a child, which would certainly complicate attending college. If I did enroll in classes, what would I take? I still had no idea what I wanted to do. Nothing excited me. But if I didn’t get a degree, what would I do with my life? I sure as hell wasn’t going to go back to high school ever again.
“You’ll have plenty of time to figure it out,” he said, snapping me from my thoughts.
“Yeah, I know.” I sighed. “So, Isach texted me. Tomorrow’s the big day, huh? You’re going to give Abby back her memories.”
“That’s the plan. I only hope it works as well with her as it did with you,” he said.
I wandered back over to my bed and sank down on the mattress. “I miss you,” I said.
Trent let out a throaty groan that had a shiver wiggling down my spine. “Want me to come over?”
“Tempting, but I wouldn’t put it past Aunt Beth and Uncle Dean to come up here and try to talk to me. I don’t need them catching you in my room. That will only make things worse,” I said.
But even as the words left my mouth, I was reconsidering them. Trent was a vampire with enhanced senses. He’d hear my aunt and uncle coming up the stairs and be able to get out of my room before they ever reached my door.
“If you change your mind, leave your window open and text me,” he said.
A loud bang sounded on his end of the line, and then he laughed, but it was distant, as if he was suddenly separated from his phone.
“Sorry, Chloe. Trent’s busy right now,” Colt said around a laugh. “You can have him back tomorrow.”
In the background, Trent shouted something I couldn’t quite understand. And then the call ended.
Frowning, I tossed my phone onto the bed. I was truly happy Colt was safe and alive and back in Trent’s life, but I wasn’t happy with how much of Trent’s attention he was taking. Every night this week, Trent had been with his brothers, barely making enough time to have a simple phone call with me.
My phone buzzed, and I snatched it, excitement and anticipation swelling in my chest.
Trent: SORRY ABOUT THAT. SEE YOU TOMORROW UNLESS YOU TELL ME OTHERWISE. LOVE YOU.
Not exactly what I was hoping for, but at least he texted me rather than just disappearing for the rest of the night.
Me: HAVE FUN WITH YOUR BROTHERS. LOVE YOU TOO.
I hit send, then contemplated sending him something more, but I really wasn’t sure what else to say. I didn’t want to make him feel bad about spending so much time with Colt and Jax, but I was so used to having him all to myself. Having to share him sucked. Big time.

CHAPTER SEVEN:
Reclaimed Memories
“GIRLS’ WEEKEND AT MY HOUSE,” WHITNEY said, dropping an elegantly written invitation on top of my stack of books, which were already precariously balanced in my arms as I attempted to shove them into my locker without dropping them.
“A whole weekend?” I asked.
“Yup.” She smiled. “The boys are going camping or something. I don’t know.” She waved her hand dismissively. “So, I have the house all to myself.”
I shoved my books into my locker and slammed the door closed. “They’re going camping?” I asked. “Trent didn’t say anything to me about that.”
And I’d seen him multiple times today. He’d had plenty of chances to say something. Unless he wasn’t going.
“It’s all they talked about last night,” Whitney said. “Oh, there’s Ellie. See you later.” She rushed down the hall, calling Ellie’s name.
I stared at the invitation. I’d barely spent time with Trent this week, and now he was planning to be gone all weekend, too? Disappointment landed like an anvil in my gut. I turned to go find Trent and ran straight into his chest.
“Trying to get away from me?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with humor.
“No, but apparently that’s what you’re doing.” I crossed my arms. “When were you going to tell me about your camping trip this weekend?”
He cringed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, sorry about that.” He stepped around me to get to his locker. “It was Colt’s idea, and Dad is now pushing it. He thinks it will help us reconnect.”
“When are you leaving?” I asked.
“Tomorrow afternoon.” He shoved his stuff into his locker. “Which means I’ll be cutting out of school early.”
I sighed. “Well, I hope you have fun,” I said, trying to infuse as much enthusiasm into my voice as I could. I held up the invitation Whitney gave me. “Looks like I’m having a girls’ weekend.”
“Knowing Whitney, I’m sure you’ll have a great time.” He chuckled.
It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him I’d have more fun spending the weekend with him, but I kept my mouth shut. I didn’t want to make him feel bad or guilt him into choosing me over his family. That wasn’t fair.
“So, you ready for this?” I asked as I took his hand and walked out to the student parking lot.
Only then did I realize he hadn’t kissed me. Normally, that was the first thing he did when he saw me. Fresh disappointment crashed down on me. I hated how I was suddenly so needy and clingy and unsure of where I stood in Trent’s life. Whatever I was feeling had to be because of the bond—it was still as strong as ever, and all I seemed to want was him. Not being able to have him like I wanted was making me cranky, and a little crazy.
“I’m a little nervous,” he admitted and opened the passenger door for me.
I