Pretend You Love Me (Sterling #4)

Prologue

Brooklyn

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I stop at a gas station just before I reach the border.

After taking a shaky breath, I pull out my phone.

I need to text my family and tell them..

.tell them what? I’m not telling them what I’m doing or where I’m going.

I can’t tell them any of that, but I will tell them I’m going away. Not to worry. I’ll be fine.

I sigh.

They are going to be furious. Delaying it won’t make it any easier. I open the family group text and start to type.

Sterling Family Group Text

Me: I just wanted all of you to know I’m going away for a while. I’ll be off the grid. I don’t want you to worry. I’ll be back by the end of the summer.

Declan: I want to come. Take me with you.

Eli: Is this a joke?

Me: No.

Eli: James is going to shit a brick.

Juno: Do you have a secret boyfriend?

Me: No.

Keene: Are you running away?

Me: I’m an adult. I can’t run away.

Keene: This is a bad idea.

Me: Declan does things like this all the time and no one cares.

Declan: I’m not as pretty as you.

Me: That’s sexist.

Declan: Right. Okay. I’m a dumb idiot, that’s why. They don’t care what happens to me.

Me: You might be a dumb idiot but it’s still a sexist double standard.

Juno: word

Zadie: Is everything okay? Why are you doing this?

Me: I’m fine. Everything is fine. I just need to do something alone.

Declan: James is not going to like this.

Eli: Will is not going to like this.

Zadie: I don’t like this. Will you at least tell us where you are going?

Me: I can’t. I promise nothing is wrong. You don’t need to worry.

Will: What the hell, Brooklyn? Of course we are going to worry. Where are you going and why does it need to be a secret?

Me: Will, please don’t.

Will: Are you in some sort of trouble?

Me: I already said I wasn’t. Why don’t any of you listen to me?

Zadie: We are listening to you. That’s why we’re worried.

James: Brooklyn, this is not okay. You must be joking. You really expect us to be okay with you disappearing for two months?

Eli: I told you he’d shit a brick.

Me: Please don’t try to find me.

James: I am not making that promise. I have to know you are safe.

Me: I need to be alone. I want to be alone. Please respect that.

James: No. You are putting yourself in so much danger. I cannot allow you to do this.

Me: James, it’s not your decision. I love you all. I really don’t want you to worry, but I won’t be in contact until the end of the summer. I’m turning off my phone as soon as I cross the Canadian border. Please don’t try to track me.

James: Canadian border??? This had better be a joke.

Declan: Oh, shit, this isn’t going to end well.

James: Brooklyn, we need to talk about this. I’m calling you. Pick up the phone.

Zadie: I’m sure we can help. Whatever it is, you don’t need to do it alone.

James: Brooklyn, I’m going to get the FBI involved.

Juno: That’s exactly what she asked you not to do.

James: I don’t care.

Juno: Brooklyn, are you really gone?

Will: I just tried to Facetime. Nothing.

James: FBI says her phone is off. Customs confirmed she crossed the border. Damn it. If she tries to contact any of you, you will tell me immediately.

Zadie: I’m worried.

Will. Me too.

Juno: I’m going to miss her.

James: I’m going to find her.