Billionaires Don’t Fall For Awkward Girls by Emma Dalton

Chapter Fourteen

Easton

“Drop me off at the usual place,” I instruct Joe on the ride to school Monday morning. He tips his hat, not asking any questions. That’s what’s cool about Joe—he doesn’t pry or judge. And what’s cooler? He keeps all of my secrets.

We pull up before the area and Joe climbs out, opening the door for me. “Shall I pick you up at the usual time after school, sir?”

“Bring the car,” I tell him like I do most mornings. “And I’ll take it from there.”

He nods slowly. “As you wish. Have a good day at school.” He’s about to get back in the car, but he turns to me. “You do know your parents are expecting you at the country club this evening.”

I grunt. They’re hosting another party with their friends. “Pass.”

His face turns serious. “Now, I don’t ask questions or tell you what to do, but I’m afraid this gathering is very important to your father. And Bianca Burrell and her family have other engagements and won’t be attending—no need to avoid this one.”

True. That’s the only positive.

Joe places his hand on my shoulder. “Do this for your father, yes? You might surprise yourself and enjoy the event.”

I give him a look like he’s out of his mind. “Doubt it. But I’ll think about it.”

He tips his hat. “You have a good day.”

He turns to go again, but I stop him. “How’s your dad doing, by the way? Still in rehab?”

Joe smiles, as though I’m the first person to ask him about his life. When you have a guy driving you around most of your life, you grow a bond. “He’s doing well. His doctors told him his leg should be as good as new in the next few weeks.”

I smile. “That’s great. Tell him I said hi.”

“Will do, sir!” He tips his hat another time, climbs into the car, and drives off.

Shoving my hands into my pockets, I make my way up the block to the old abandoned trains where Tommy has made his home.

“Tommy?” I call, glancing around the many broken and rusty trains. I’ll be late for school again, but I don’t really give a crap. I need to know how Tommy is doing.

A head peeks out from inside one of the trains. “Easton, boy, that you?”

“Sure is.” I head over to the train as he gets out, plopping down on a bench that looks like it doesn’t have much life left in it. I sit down on an overturned bucket, facing him. “How are you feeling?”

He rubs his dirty and dusty blonde hair, squinting his eyes. “Can’t complain.”

I take in the scratches on his face, the bruises around his eyes, the cut on his lip. “Did the doctors treat you okay?” I ask.

He smiles, revealing some gaps in his teeth. “Sure did. After you threatened them, they wouldn’t dare harm me.”

I laugh lightly. “I didn’t threaten them. I asked them to take good care of you.”

His smile widens. “And I appreciate it. Thank you.” He eyes my school bag. “You gonna be late for school again.”

I shrug. “That’s okay. I’d rather check on you. When did they release you from the hospital?”

“Yesterday.”

I wish I could have been there, but I had a family event. Photos for a magazine I don’t care about, and I couldn’t get out of it.

I think back to what happened on Friday, why I was late to the presentation with Dani Wood. I was visiting Tommy like I do every morning and heard yelling. Three guys were beating him up for no reason at all. Busted his face pretty bad. I called an ambulance and went to the hospital with him. I know it was selfish of me to ditch Dani like that, but I couldn’t abandon Tommy. I’m the closest thing he has to family.

“I’m glad you’re doing okay. Have those guys come back?”

He shakes his head. “Don’t think they will, not after the way you yelled at them.” He grins again.

I tear my eyes away from him. I hate the circumstances he lives in, but I can’t do much about it. Dad told me he gives a lot of charity to homeless organizations, but he can’t worry about each individual case. When I’m older and inherit the company and all the money that comes with it, I’ll do whatever I can to help people like Tommy.

Reaching into my bag, I pull out the lunch our chef Jean-Paul prepared for me and hand it to Tommy. He grabs it, holding it close to his chest. “Thank you!”

My smile is strained. “No problem, man.”

It’s ridiculous. I’m one of the richest kids in the world and I can’t do more for this nice man who’s had a hard life. All I can do is bring him food, be a friend, and watch over him.

He peels off the lid and starts gobbling down the food. After I met him a month ago, I asked Jean-Paul to prepare extra food for me—growing boy and all that—but the truth is that all the food is for Tommy.

I would have gone hungry all day, but Vivian’s food is the most delicious thing I’ve tasted in my life. Better than Mikey’s. If Mother found out I’m eating the school’s lunch, she’d lose her crap.

“You got a girlfriend?” Tommy asks as he scarfs down the food.

“No.”

His eyebrows knit. “But you’re good-looking and rich! Girls should be chasing you down the street.”

I wave my hand. “Don’t really like anyone here.”

He watches me with narrowed eyes, then continues eating.

“Is that stuff good?” I ask.

“Yeah, very good.”

Jean-Paul is one of the best chefs out there. He jumped at the opportunity to cook for Easton Knight and his wife and son. But truth? The food’s not my cup of tea.

“You got something on your mind, boy?” Tommy asks as he closes the container, saving the rest of the food for later.

I shrug. “Usual life stuff, I guess.”

He wags his finger. “That’s what you need a lady for—to pour out your heart to. Someone like you has a huge one, lots of love to give.”

I groan because he’s making this weird. “Tommy, really?”

He lifts his hands in defense. “It’s the truth. When I was your age, there was a girl in town. A beautiful girl. Every guy had his eyes on her. She was something else.” His eyes grow unfocused, as though he’s traveling to another time. “Roberta Santiago.” He shakes his head. “An angel sent from heaven.”

I bend forward. “Did you and her…?”

He sighs, pushing his long, stringy hair away from his face. “No. We were good friends for a while. Told her all my secrets and fears. But she fell for a handsome fellow. The most popular guy at school. Then she married him, moved away, and I haven’t heard from her since.”

“Sorry about that.”

He shrugs. “Never met anyone quite like her. Never married or settled down. I still think about her a lot.” His eyes focus on me. “Don’t be like that, Easton. Don’t let a good girl slip through your fingers.”

I pat his arm. “You don’t have to worry about me, Tommy. My future is already laid out for me, whether I like it or not.” I get to my feet. “I’d better head to school. Stay safe, all right? I’ll see you later.”

“See ya, Easton.”

I hike my school bag over my shoulder, give him a smile and a wave, then set off toward the school building. It’s a seven-minute walk and classes have already started when I arrive to history. Ms. Young motions for me to take a seat.

At the end of class, she returns our papers to us, gushing how well we all did. But she claims there was one group that shined above the others.

“Danielle and Easton,” Ms. Young says as she hands the report to Dani. “A+. Great job!”

The class claps and cheers, some appearing bored. Dani peers down at the paper, a small smile tugging her lips. Then her eyes find mine before she looks away.