Royals

Chapter 44

"Whoa, you fly in these all the time?" Ashlynn asked, amazed at the private jet we were boarding.

"Yes, ma'am," Jake answered, sitting down beside Marietta.

Together, the seven of us went to the beach. It wasn't hot enough to swim, and we were all in jeans and long sleeved shirts, so we walked along the pier and visited the nearby shops. We concluded the night with a long, relaxing dinner at P.F. Changs.

At the moment, we were boarding the plane to Atlanta, Georgia. Luckily, the flight was only expected to be around an hour and a half, so we didn't have to leave as early. However, once again, Joey was up all night speaking with Alyssa on the phone, so I barely slept.

That also explained why Joey was resting with his head on a pillow in my lap. Unfortunately, I wasn't as lucky; I couldn't bring myself to sleep. Instead, I stared out the small window at the puffy clouds below, mindlessly running my fingers through Joey's wet hair.

We had assumed it would be hot in Georgia, but it was only supposed to reach the low seventies. So, instead of going to the beach like we had originally planned, we were hoping to check out Coca Cola World and see a show at the Fox Theatre.

The jet landed a little too soon for my liking, and looking around, only Ashlynn and I were awake.

"Can you wake up Brandon?" I whispered. "We've landed."

She nodded, an excited grin present on her face. They were only supposed to attend one day of White Week, but Ashlynn convinced her parents to let her stay until it was over. I wasn't exactly sure how though, considering her parents were usually super strict.

"Joey, we're here," I said, gently shaking him awake. He stirred for a moment before shooting his eyes open and sitting up. He rubbed his eyes, showing off the bags underneath. "Maybe you should skip your phone call with Addison tonight; you need rest."

"Aubrey," he revised, too tired to be upset with me. No matter how many times he corrected me, I refused to address her by her real name.

Leaving my recommendation unanswered, he stood up, offering me a hand. We split up, waking up the rest of our friends. Once everyone was awake, we climbed outside, welcoming the fresh, warm breeze.

"We need to talk," my mother addressed me, coming out of nowhere. She grabbed my arm, a little too tightly for my liking, and dragged me into a taxi.

"Let go of me," I retorted, yanking my arm from her grasp.

"Where did you guys go yesterday?" she asked, narrowing her dull, avocado eyes at me.

I shrugged. "The beach."

"Did you go shopping at all?" she questioned, tapping her foot impatiently.

"No, why?" I perplexedly answered.

"If you didn't go shopping, then what'd you spend so much money on yesterday?" she snapped, her calm façade disintegrating by the moment.

"What are you--" I began, before stopping myself. The check. Catherine. Her dad's cancer. "Oh...that."

"Yes, that," she spat, rolling her eyes. "Where did that money go?"

"I did go shopping," I lied. "I totally forgot until now."

"You're a better liar than that, Em," she smoothly answered. "Where did that money go?"

I sighed, figuring now was as good a time as ever to bring Catherine Boca up. "Who was that woman you refused to see yesterday? And don't try to pretend you don't know her."