Always Us (The Jade Series #8) Read Online Free Page A

understand.”
    “When this is over, we’ll talk. Until then, don’t call me.”
    “When is it going to be over?”
    “I will see him tomorrow. We’ll be having a conversation.”
    “You think this is going to be settled in one day?”
    “It will be the start of what could be a very long battle if he doesn’t cooperate.”
    “Why can’t we talk?”
    “Rule number one, Garret. You’ve already broken it several times during this conversation, which is the reason we can’t talk. I can’t answer your questions, and all you have are questions. You haven’t said one thing to me on this phone call that doesn’t relate to your grandfather.”
    “Because this is all I can fucking think about!” I said it too loud. Shit. I hope Jade didn’t wake up.
    “Have a nice Thanksgiving, Garret. Tell Jade to as well.”
    And then he hangs up. Just ends the call. No goodbye. Nothing. I call him right back. I know he said not to, but he pissed me off by hanging up like that. His phone goes straight to voicemail. Great. Now my own father won’t talk to me. I slip my phone in my pocket and go back to the bedroom and lie next to Jade.
    “Who were you talking to?” she whispers. Her eyes are closed so I thought she was asleep.
    “My dad. I just wanted to wish him a happy Thanksgiving.”
    “Why? Aren’t you calling him tomorrow?”
    “No. We’ll be busy with everyone here, and my dad’s having my grandparents over for dinner so it was just better if we talked today.”
    “Don’t you want to talk to Lilly tomorrow?”
    “No. Katherine will just be a bitch about it, so I’d rather avoid all that and call Lilly some other time. I didn’t talk to her last Thanksgiving and she was fine. It’s not a big holiday for her. She doesn’t like turkey.”
    “Really?” Jade leans back into my chest. “Who doesn’t like turkey?”
    “She’s never liked it. But she eats the other stuff. Mashed potatoes. Sweet potatoes. All that stuff.”
    Jade turns to face me. The smile she fell asleep with is still there. She gives me a kiss. “Did you get some sleep?”
    “Yeah,” I lie.
    “You still look tired.” She puts her hand on my forehead, then down the side of my face. “You’re not getting sick, are you?”
    I take her hand off my face and kiss her palm. “I’m not sick. I feel fine.”
    “Good.” She hugs me. “I love you.”
    “I love you, too.” I hug her back, probably too tight again but I can’t help it. I know my grandfather said she was safe until the end of the year, but I still feel like I can’t let her out of my sight. I just want to keep her in my arms like this until I know she’s safe.
    “I think I heard Ryan come home,” Jade says. “We should go help with dinner.”
    We both get up and Jade goes in the bathroom. While she’s in there, I check my phone to see if my dad called back. He didn’t. But I notice a call coming in. It’s Sean.
    “Hey, Sean. Are you at your parents’ house?”
    “Yeah. Got here this morning. My sisters are here, too. They’re in the kitchen with my mom, making pies.”
    “You still going tomorrow?”
    “Yeah. I’ll be there Friday morning.”
    Sean’s going to LA for Harper’s shoulder surgery. Even though she broke up with him, he still loves her and wants to be there for her. The surgery is on Friday and he’s taking the red eye tomorrow night to get there. The guy has no money since his job is shit and he maxed out his credit card buying Harper’s engagement ring, so I don’t know how he’s paying for a hotel. I tried to give him money but he wouldn’t take it.
    “Where you are staying?” I ask him.
    “Don’t worry about it.”
    “Sean, you better not be planning on sleeping on some fucking park bench or in your rental car.”
    “Rental car? I can’t afford that. I’m taking the bus.”
    I sigh. “Did you get a hotel or not?”
    “I’ll figure it out when I get there.”
    “Dammit, Sean. I’m giving you my credit card number and you’re