Stephan(37)
“I have her. Do you want me to make myself known or just keep watching?”
“Just keep watching. I’m helping drop the others off at the apartment and then I’ll go get her.”
“Stephan, I think you should wait a while. Get your brother or someone else to pick her up.”
“What. No. I need to talk to her.”
“I know you think you do, but you didn’t see Jade’s face when she came upon you and the woman, or when you told the woman to get lost.”
“I can’t just leave her.”
“You’re not. I’m watching her and if you get Derick to pick her up, maybe he can talk to her.”
“Fucking hell. Fine. Don’t let her out of your sight, Brand. The neighborhood she’s in is one of the worst in Sydney.”
“I can handle it. You need to tell your parents something. I have a feeling she isn’t going to be happy with you for a while.”
“Yep. I’ll sort it out.” I hung up and ran fingers through my hair. My friends where sitting in the food court waiting for me. Taking a deep calming breath, I went to them.
“Did you find her?” Cassie asked.
“I know where she’s going. I’m ar… I’m really sorry about this, guys.”
“It’s my fault.” Scott sighed. “I think Linda might have heard me talk last night about what we were doing today.”
“Scott, what the hell were you doing with that skank?” Cassie screeched.
“I wasn’t with her, Cass. She was all over Stephan no matter how many times he turned her down or told her to go away. She followed Stephan around like a puppy waiting for any scrap he was willing to throw her way. He ignored her all night.”
“He better have,” Cassie glared at me. “You can’t play with Jade, Stephan. She’s in a fragile place with everything that’s happened. She’s lost her mum, not that she was anything special, and has now been beaten and lost her grandfather. Who I think may be worse than her mother. I have no idea how Jade is a sane and well-functioning person with everything she’s been through in her life. I bet my last dollar I don’t even know the half of it.”
I didn’t say anything because I didn’t need to bet, I knew everything Cassie was saying was one hundred percent true.
*****
Jade
Jess met me at the train station. “Hey.” Her arms came around me and I sank into the familiar warmth. “What’s up? Is it your grandpa?”
I took a deep breath because I knew as soon as I told Jess everything I’d break down. I was hanging on by a thin thread and right now I needed someone I trusted. “I promise I’ll tell you everything when we get back to your house. Did your mum drive you or did you catch the bus?”
“Mum is waiting in the pickup zone. So we better hurry.”
I followed her to the beat up red Ford and got in the back seat. “Hi, Mrs. Stren.”
“Hello, Jade. It’s good to see you.”
I forced a smile and relaxed back into the tattered seats feeling safe.
Chapter Nine
Jade
I’d filled Jess in on everything and now she sat biting her nails. “I know you’re going to hate me for saying this, J, but Stephan sounds like the real deal. I mean, he hasn’t left your side since your bastard of a grandfather beat you. Well besides last night. His family has custody of you and if he had his way, you’d be living in his room.”
“I know, Cassie, but you should have heard how he spoke to this woman. He was—”
“J, you need to give him a break. I’ve heard everything you told me. If you ask me, I’m surprised he’s stuck around as long as he has.”
I glared at Jess, and she sighed.
“J, I know it’s hard to trust anyone when everyone you should have been able to trust in your life have been deadbeats, but I think you need to at least give Stephan a chance.”
“But I—”
Jess put her hand up. “I’m not saying you have to fall in love with him. Just give him a chance and get to know him.”
I hated it but was she right. I knew it deep down in the gut I needed to stop being so stupid and basically a brat to him. “Fine. I—”
“Jade, honey, there is a lovely young boy named Derick at the door saying he’s here to drive you home,” Jess’s mum yelled.
I was surprised Derick came and not Stephan. Easing off the bed, I grabbed Jess and dragged her to the front door. Derick stood at the small apartment door grinning down at Jess’s mum. I could tell he’d been charming her. Her mother’s cheeks were bright red and she had a huge smile on her face.