But it's coming.

"Uh, if you don't mind, I'm gonna go shower," I say, pointing toward the palatial bathroom.

"That's fine," Dallas says. "My dad is going to be here soon. He’s here in Miami but he’s out on a boat somewhere. They are choppering him in. He’ll want to talk to me alone."

He chugs his champagne then goes back into the living room, shutting the door behind him.

“I’m just going to lie on the bed, drink champagne, and think about how bad-ass that was,” Riley states. “I felt like I was in a spy movie or something.”

I nod, walk into the bathroom, shut the doors, turn on the shower, strip off my clothes, and stand under the warm water.

I let the water fall and start crying.

I look at the tattoo. It’s supposed to remind me of my first love, but now it feels violated and dirty.

I grab a washcloth and try to scrub it off.

I scrub and scrub and scrub.

When it won't come off, I sit on the shower floor, pull my knees up to my chest, drop my head to my knees, and let my emotions rack through me.

I cry about everything.

The way Dawson looked standing there in his closet.

How much I miss Damian.

The things Vincent said to me.

How he probably had Tiny killed.

How he's been following the breadcrumbs.

How he’s not going to stop.

How I know it’s just a matter of time before he shows up at school and gets me for real.

I suddenly realize the water has stopped running.

A towel is thrown across my body as Riley sits down next to me. “You’re not gonna sit in here all by yourself and cry."

"Where's Dallas?"

"His dad is here. He's out with him. And your friend Damian called, so I answered for you. He wanted you to know that he’s fine and that he’s sorry about everything."

I grab Riley’s shoulder, getting his shirt all wet, and cry into it until I have no more tears.

"I'm so glad you came with me, Riley. Otherwise, I’d have been here alone and I don't think I would’ve gotten away."

“What I don’t understand is why he wants to kidnap you. For ransom or something?"

"No. He doesn't need money. He wants to make my mom pay for whatever he thinks she did. He wants to hurt her by hurting me. He also thinks I look like her when they, um, dated. When they were young. He even called me by her name tonight.”

“That’s just sick. But don’t worry. You're safe now. Dallas and I will always make sure you’re safe."

"Did you know about Dallas? Like what he told me?"

Riley nods. "Yeah. They did full background checks on everyone at the school. Specifically chose me to be his roommate. They liked the fact that I had some military training and that I’m not afraid to break rules when necessary. They briefed me on his situation and asked me not to tell anyone. That’s why I was worried about you during Homecoming week. They told us with all the people coming and going we needed to be especially alert. Come on. Let's get you out of here. It's time to meet the senator."

While Riley goes out into the living room, I brush out my wet hair and put on a big fluffy robe. Not what I would usually choose for meeting a parent, let alone a senator, but it's going to have to do. I threw my clothes from the club in the trash and I’m not putting them back on.

I’m getting ready to walk out when I hear my name.

A voice I don’t recognize says, “Don’t you think it’s a little strange that this girl brings you to Miami and all of a sudden there’s a threat? Who is this girl, anyway?”

“We don’t know much about her, sir,” another voice says. “She apparently was admitted to the school at the last minute.”

“Don’t you think that’s a little odd? I want her background run now. I want to know everything about her.”

Shit.

I call Garrett quickly.

“Um, I have a question. How solid is my backstory? Like if someone starting digging. Like, the government, maybe. What would they find?”

“It will stand up. I’m good at what I do.”

“Okay, I won’t worry then.”

“Why don’t you tell me what’s going on.”

I tell him about Dallas.

“You swore to me that you wouldn’t go see a friend again.”

“I know, but this was different. Brooklyn’s event was public and planned. This wasn’t. Damian said it was a surprise performance.”

“Yeah, one that the club owners leaked all over the internet.”

“I didn’t know that. Damian didn’t know that.”

“He knows how the industry works. He’s not stupid. He risked your life tonight.”

“He’s never done a surprise thing like this before. He’d never knowingly put me in danger.”

Out in the living room, the same voice says, “Son, you need to start thinking with your head and not your dick. I don’t believe in coincidences.”

“They think it’s my fault, Garrett. They think I may have set Dallas up to get kidnapped.”

“Who is his dad?”

“He’s a senator from Kentucky. Last name is McMahon.”

“I know senator McMahon quite well. Did security for his trip to Central America a few years back. When we were fighting the war on drugs instead of the war on terror. Let me talk to him.”

“Garrett, no. I don’t want Riley and Dallas to know who I am or the truth. I don’t want to put them in danger.”

“How did you explain the situation to them?”

“I told them that Vincent was my mom’s ex-boyfriend. That he’s been stalking me.”

“That’s a pretty good story. And don’t worry about your background. I’ll call the senator myself. I’m also working on a new plan for your security. We’re going to be making some changes.”

“Garrett, one other thing. When I talked to Vincent, he told me about how he’s been following the breadcrumbs to find me. He never once mentioned anything about school. I’m positive he doesn’t know where I am.”

“Well, that’s the best news I’ve heard all night.”

He hangs up, so I walk out into the living room.

Even though he was just talking trash about me a few moments ago, the senator gets off the couch with an outstretched hand. He's tall and broad-shouldered with perfect white hair and eyes as blue as Dallas'.

I shake his hand just as his phone rings.

“Excuse me, I need to take this.” He steps away from the living area.

“I heard what your dad was saying,” I say to Dallas. “I would never want anyone to hurt you.” I start getting tears in my eyes just thinking about someone hurting him or Riley.

He gives me a hug. “He’s just watching out for me. What we went through was scary.”

I nod my head into his chest, completely understanding.

The senator ends his call and sits on the couch again.

“So, Miss Monroe, I just spoke to our mutual friend.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I understand the situation now. We’ve decided to join forces.”

I sort of squint my eyes at him. I’m pretty sure that whatever they are planning, we’re not going to like. I’m pretty sure Garrett’s ready to put me in solitary confinement on the moon right about now.

Dallas says, “Join forces?”

“Miss Monroe went to Eastbrooke at the last minute because she is in a similar situation. An old boyfriend of her mother’s is stalking her.”

I smile. Garrett lied. To a Senator. For me. I want to reach through the phone and kiss him.

Dallas says, “So you lied too?”

“Just about that,” I say, but then I add, “mostly.”

“It sounds like you kids had quite the scare, either way.”

“I’m so sorry for all the trouble I caused."

The Senator puts his hand on top of mine and says, "I'd much rather you overreact and be wrong, than not react and be in danger. You kids can stay here in the suite, relax, and try to enjoy what's left of your weekend. We'll make sure you get back to school safely."

Sunday, October 16th

We should party.

11:30 am

We slept in late, got up, ordered a huge breakfast, and ate it overlooking the bay.

I stay out on the deck because it’s so incredibly peaceful.

Dallas and Riley yell at me to come inside. They’re both sitting on the sofa drinking beers and laughing. Dallas has in iPad in his hand.

“What are you two laughing about?”

“We’re watching our video. You know it has like 500 views already.

“It was really fun to make,” Dallas says. “That plane was freaking sweet.”

“You did a good job editing it. Really, Riley, you’re very talented.”

“Thanks, baby. So what are you gonna do about my brother?”

“What is there to do? He wanted her, not me. We’re done.”

“He’s been posting stuff about you on his Facebook wall. I don’t think he wants her. He wants you.”

“I have to tutor Aiden when we get back. Then I guess I’ll see what happens.”

“Do you want me to ask him? I mean, I think you’d want to know before you get there.”

“I kind of wish we could just stay here. You’re right, though. I do want to know what happened.”

As we’re being driven to the airport I text Jake.

Me: I’m heading back to school soon. Wondered what happened this weekend with Whitney and Dawson. Do you know?

Jake: They hung out on Saturday. I don’t know if they did anything. Bryce said they seemed awkward. I avoided them. Hung out with some other people.

Me: So aren’t they back together?

Jake: Don’t think so. He told Ace he screwed up, and he was stupid for thinking he wanted her back. I think it was just sort of an ego trip. He had wanted her back for so long.

Me: Are you doing okay?

Jake: I’m doing very well actually.

Me: Okay, I’ll see you later tonight. I think we should party.

Jake: Sounds good.

Riley says, “I’m gonna text Dawson. See what he’s thinking.”

I lean over and watch him type.

Riley: Headed back home. How did things turn out this weekend? You and W back together?

Dawson: This weekend sucked. And no, we’re not.

Riley: My weekend was AWESOME!!! The best weekend of my life.

“You’re such a liar,” I say to him. “This weekend was nothing but a clusterfuck.”

“Maybe, but he doesn’t need to know that.”

Dawson: Has Keatie read my Facebook statuses?

Riley: Nope.

Dawson: Things weren’t the same with Whitney. Keatie has changed me and I didn’t even realize it. I was so stupid. Has she said ANYTHING about me?

Riley: No. She forbid us to say your name.

Dawson: :( What should I do?

Riley: Try to talk to her I guess. You hurt her.

Dawson: I know. I’m going to try to fix it.

“So what are you going to do? Will you take him back?”

“I don’t think so. At least not for a while.”

“Wanna make him suffer, huh?”

“No. That’s not it at all. It’s just that after what he did, I don’t have much faith in him, or us, anymore.”

I get a text from Aiden.

Aiden: Are you going to be back in time for tutoring?

Me: Yeah. I can meet you in the library at 7. Will that work for you?

Aiden: I’ll make it work.

I think about Aiden. About the mystery dream girl. About what Riley said about Aiden.

“Riley, why did you tell me Aiden’s a player?”

“I heard that he dated and hooked up with a lot of different girls last year. This year, it’s weird. He didn’t even have a date for Homecoming.”

Dallas says, “I’m pretty sure you’re the only girl he’s kissed this year.”

“How many have you kissed?”

“A dozen, maybe. Are you thinking about Aiden?”

“Oh, no, of course not. I was just thinking that’s sort of weird. For a guy that’s a player.”

“I could see you together,” Riley says.

“Why?”

“I don’t know. You just seem to sparkle around him. And he seems to affect you in a way no one else does. You’re practically obsessed with him, but yet you say you hate him.”

“I do hate him sometimes. I think we might end up being friends though. Sometimes he can be really sweet.”

I guess I can relate.

7pm

I find Aiden in the library, sitting at our table, and grinning at me.

“So . . . saw the video. Dawson had to be going crazy.”

“I doubt it. He’s into Whitney now.”

“You looked very sexy in the video. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that side of you. Well, maybe a little at the after-party. Everyone has been talking about it all weekend. You have a lot of views on You Tube.”

“I don’t care about the views. I just wanted Dawson to see it.”

“He looked miserable this weekend. Even when I saw him with Whitney, he looked miserable. I can't believe I'm saying this, but he probably just liked the idea that she wanted him again.”

“Whatever. I don’t want to talk about it.” But then I look at him. “What? Now you're pro-Dawson?”

“No. I just think it would suck to lose you. I guess I can relate.”