Jaden (Jaded #3)

That was . . . extremely disappointing. I couldn’t lie to myself. I bit down on my lip and tried to swallow the disappointment. It was a hard pill to shove down. I murmured, “I see.”


“If it’s worth anything, people are changing their minds.”

“What do you mean?”

“After your impromptu press conference, people are starting to rethink things. More supporters are coming out for you. A lot of people still think you’re guilty, but you’ve got people believing in you.”

“Believing in me?”

She nodded. “Yeah.”

I blinked a few times. No one believed in me. No one except Corrigan, Bryce, and Denton. Grace had believed in me, once upon a time.

She was gone.

Being with Carolina was harder than I expected. She brought memories back, memories of what she had already talked about. The sorority approaching me, wanting me, but getting Grace instead. She’d been so excited.

‘You're wrong, Sheldon. I like these girls. They like me. Is it really that big of a stretch for people to like me?’

She’d been so excited to be accepted, to be liked. That conversation was the first time she covered for them. She had lied to my face, saying she hadn’t noticed a thing when she had been the one who shoved me into that glass table, for them, because of them, to protect them.

Oh, Grace. I wish things had been different.

I drew in a breath. Feeling a tear, I could almost imagine her response. I smiled to myself, letting a second tear fall. She would’ve laughed at me. She would’ve said something about how things had to happen.

Never regret. Never forget. Only remember, learn, and keep jetting on.

That’s something she would’ve said.

God, Grace. I’m sorry.

“Sheldon?”

Carolina placed a hand on my arm, bringing me out of my thoughts. I jerked back, then smiled to cover myself. “Sorry. Sorry.” I shook my head, laughing at myself. “I feel like I’m being haunted by Grace half the time.”

Her eyebrows shot up.

I laughed again louder, as I stood up and ran my hands down my pants. “I’m not. I’m not crazy.” Seriously. I didn’t need to deal with that. “Don’t put me in an insane asylum. Jail was enough.”

She stood with me, still frowning. Her gaze roamed all over my face, studying me. Then she asked, quietly, “Are you okay? For real?”

I couldn’t answer. Not at first.

She asked that like Grace would’ve. With genuine concern. Without judgment. Like she actually cared.

Carolina had cared. She really did.

The fight left me for a moment. I hugged her, throwing my arms around her. Pulling her in, I squeezed her tightly. “Thank you.” There was so much to say, but I only said, “Just thank you.”

She hugged me, saying, “Thank you, too.” Her hand brushed down my hair to my back. “You’re going to be okay, Sheldon. You know that, right?”

I didn’t. She didn’t. I held her close anyway.

She tightened her hug too. “I mean it, Sheldon. You always survive. You’ll survive this. I have no doubts about it.”

Good. I blinked back more tears. That would make one of us.

There was a soft tap on the door, and it opened. Corrigan poked his head inside, an apology in his eyes, as he said, “Hey, uh, we were wondering if you ladies would join us downstairs?”

Carolina gripped the wine bottle harder, her eyebrows burrowed together. “Why?”

“Uh.” He glanced at me and I saw the stirring in his depths. He was concerned about me. I saw it right away, and I nodded, just a small nod. Instantly, he looked relieved, and his slight grin turned into a typical Corrigan cocky smirk. His head lifted and he stepped more fully into the room. “Well, if you must know, it’s because I think Bryce might need some moral support.”

“Why?”

I bit back a smile. Carolina was acting like Corrigan was asking us to walk across fire. And judging by the grip she had on that wine bottle, I was guessing she wasn’t going to budge for anything.

Corrigan lifted an arm and leaned against the door. “Because we’re having a ‘Who’s Sexier?’ contest downstairs among all the guys. Bryce is going to get stomped. I mean, hello . . .” He gestured to himself. “He might be Mr. Big Stud Six Pack Abs Guy, and Denton might be Mr. Beautiful Movie Star, but the playing field’s all equal now. We’re all chicks tonight, and I don’t know if you’ve checked me out, but I’m some hot stuff tonight.”

“Are you?”

He pressed a finger and made a hissing sound. “Hear that? Sizzling, honey.”

Carolina’s scowl didn’t lift.

My mouth dipped down. I hadn’t expected that.

Corrigan sent me a pointed look and I read the silent plea for help. I nodded and stood from the bed.

Carolina asked me, “What are you doing?”

“Corrigan’s trying to be funny to cover it up, but he’s worried. He wants me to go downstairs so he and the rest of the guys can see me. They’ll be reassured I’m okay.”