Foreign Exchange by Denise Jaden

Author:Denise Jaden [Jaden, Denise]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Evernight Teen
Published: 2014-10-10T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Outside the hostel door, we practically barrel into Matt and Caleb before we see them. I'm still holding Sawyer's shirt, but I drop it quickly.

Matt's eyebrows knit together. His neck is bright pink and he looks between Sawyer and me, then down at my hand.

My mind has been working double-time since I found out we’re leaving tonight, so it kicks in quickly with a plan. I grab Matt's hand and pull him aside, giving Sawyer a one-second signal. Caleb starts babbling to Sawyer about how Matt wanted to come back and see me, but I can't pay attention to them and move farther away so Matt's not distracted.

Matt's still looking back at Sawyer, and I can tell where his mind is going. If I'm going to get his help, I need to break those thoughts.

“He's just Tristan's brother,” I tell Matt, lifting my hand and turning his chin so he faces me.

Matt laughs a little, but it sounds humorless. “I shouldn’t be surprised, should I?” His voice is a mix of angry and hurt. “I hope you’re happy,” he goes on. I can’t tell by his tone if he means it or he's being sarcastic. “Don’t be surprised if he dumps you for another guy.”

Wait. What? He thinks Sawyer’s gay? “Are you—?”

“And why don’t you ask him why he keeps his hair so long.”

Sawyer has longish hair, but what Matt’s saying doesn’t make a shred of sense. He’s acting a little possessive, but I can’t provoke him. I need to diffuse it. And fast.

“I like you, Matt.” I let that hang in the air for about three seconds before I race on with my words. “Look, I think something might have happened to Tristan. She’s lost across town, her money was stolen, and she can’t find her way here. We're both worried sick and we have to go get her.” I keep my eyes on his, trying to get across how serious this is. Maybe I should have been flirtier with him. If only I’d had more time to play it up. I squeeze his hand, and I hope he's starting to believe me.

“I don't know, Jamie. You should wait and talk to Mr. Echols.”

I pull a pen from my purse, ignoring his suggestion. I grab his hand and write Sawyer's cell number on it. “You can get a hold of us here. We’ll be back late tonight, and if you could just cover for us, say we’re not feeling well and sleeping in tomorrow. Then we’ll see you when you get back from the mountains—”

“Wait, you’re not going?”

“We’re going to be out late, Matt.” I reach over and stroke his arm. “I really don’t think I’ll be able to get up in time to go.”

I have Matt’s cell number. If I have to call and somehow buy us another day, I will, but for now we have to hurry. I meet Matt's eyes again. “Please.” I put all of my heart into the word, and he must sense my desperation, because his head moves slightly up.

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