Free Promising You (The Jade Series #4) by Allie Everhart Page A

hate Ava even more. If it weren’t for her, Garret could just drive me home and this airplane ban wouldn’t even be a problem.  

7
    Back at the dorm, my phone rings just as we walk in my room. I answer without looking to see who it is.  
    “Hey, Jade. Did you get your stitches out?”  
    I recognize the voice. “Hey, Carson.” I glance at Garret who gives me his why-is-he-calling-you look as he closes my door. “Yeah, the stitches are out, but I still have to use the crutches for a few more days.”
    “At least when you’re back from spring break you’ll be able to walk to class without them. So when are you leaving?”
    “I can’t go now. The doctor won’t let me fly.”
    He’s quiet for a moment, then says, “Just come with me. I’ll give you a ride home.”
    “No, that’s okay. Besides you’re going to Illinois.”
    “Des Moines is only four hours away from my hometown. That’s nothing. I told you I like driving.”
    “But then you’d have to pick me up again a week later, unless I got Ryan to drive me to your house.”
    Hearing “your house” Garret’s eyes narrow and he starts shaking his head no.  
    Carson’s talking again. “Either way. Doesn’t matter to me. I can easily go pick you up. It’s no problem.”
    “Let me think about it and I’ll get back to you.”
    “Okay. And hey, I’m totally flexible on when we leave and when we come back.”
    “Sounds good. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I hang up, set the phone on my desk, and turn to Garret. “Now before you get all—”
    “Tell me you did not just agree to drive halfway across the country with that asshole.” Garret stands in front of me, his arms crossed over his chest.  
    “He’s not an asshole. And he offered, but as you heard, I didn’t say yes.” I pause. “But it’s not that bad of an idea. He seemed like a safe driver when he drove me to the coffee shop that day. His car is new so it shouldn’t break down. He’s very mature and responsible.”
    Garret throws his hands in the air. “And he’s trying to sleep with you! Did you forget that part?”
    “He’s not trying to sleep with me.”
    “Are you seriously thinking of going with him?”
    “Well, yeah. It’s just a car ride.” I go over to the bed and sit down.
    “It’s a two day drive! That means you two will be spending the night in a hotel. No fucking way that’s happening.”  
    I hadn’t thought about the hotel issue. “I’ll tell him we have to drive all night. No stopping at any hotels.”
    “You can’t drive, Jade. So he’ll have to drive the whole 22 hours or however long it is. He’ll fall asleep at the wheel and then you’ll roll into oncoming traffic and die.”
    “That won’t happen. I’ll be there to keep him awake. I’ll make sure he drinks lots of caffeine. Last fall Ryan drove the whole way back without stopping to sleep.”
    “Yeah, and that was stupid. He even admitted that himself when we saw him after Christmas. He only did it because he had to pick up Frank at the hospital.”
    “I want to see them, Garret. I want to see Frank and Ryan. That’s all this is about. If Carson wanted to try something, he could’ve done it by now. I’ve been alone with him plenty of times.”
    “Not alone in his car for 22 hours! This is exactly what he wants, Jade. To get you alone so he can convince you to stop seeing me. He’ll be saying shit about me the entire time while he tries to move in and take my place.”
    “Nobody is taking your place. Would you just come over here so I don’t have to yell this across the room?” I wait for him to sit next to me. “You know how you always say I’m stuck with you?”
    He doesn’t answer. His mind is still on Carson.  
    “Hey, you. Over here.” I laugh as I push on his shoulder to get his attention.  
    He finally looks at me. “Yes, I heard you. I always say you’re stuck with me.”
      “Yeah, well, you’re stuck with me, too. Carson can say whatever he wants about you,