Read Online Lone Star by Paullina Simons - Free Book Online Page B

did she have to be so obstinate?
    Where could she go that might be more acceptable to her parents? She had read about Innsbruck, the heart of the Alps, white with fresh snow. Picturesque gardens, musical chambers, Roman marvels, Bavarian creams. Her clothes, down coat and all, always on, even in bed.
    Ugh.
    She’d spent her entire life living in snowed-in valleys surrounded by mountains. She skied, snowboarded, sledded. She skated right on her lake. She played wild, nearly violent games of ice hockey with her friends. Every four years she and Mason pretended they were Olympic skaters, spinning and salchowing over the thick ice. But Chloe and Blake were actual speed skaters and every winter when they weren’t ice fishing, they spent from sunup to sundown in racing abandon. Chloe owned more parkas than jean jackets. She knew what to do for frostbite. She had read Jack London’s terrifying “To Build a Fire.” More than once.
    Why would she go anywhere else but Barcelona? Why would she ever want to?

8
Empty Wells and Vernal Pools
    C HLOE ASKED TO BORROW HER MOTHER’S CAR TO DRIVE Hannah to Bangor. She made up some story about dorms and housing applications.
    Lang only half listened. “Are you ever going to tell her?” she asked.
    Hannah was headed to Bangor to break up with the grandpa who loved her. He might not make it out of the afternoon alive. Did she really need Chloe adding to her woes? “Not right now.”
    â€œTell her on the way. It’s the perfect time. ‘Um, Hannah, guess what? Our trip to Bangor reminds me of something.’ That sort of thing. You know she’ll find out eventually.”
    â€œOf course she’ll find out eventually, Mom.” Duh.
    â€œPerhaps when she moves into a UMaine dorm and instead of you her roommate is a tall black chick?”
    â€œYes, like then. And don’t say ‘chick,’ Mom. Ew.” If Chloe ground her teeth any more, she’d have no teeth left. Why couldn’t her mother be like Hannah’s mother? Terri never asked questions, never hounded, never scolded. Chloe wasn’t one hundred percent sure Terri knew where her daughter was accepted to college. She was so chill and lax about things.
    â€œWhy won’t you tell her? What are you afraid of?”
    Why did everybody keep asking her this! What wasn’t she afraid of? That Hannah would not forgive her. That she couldn’t explain it. When Chloe tried to explain it to herself, she couldn’t,so how was she going to explain it to her best friend, and to Mason?
    â€œHave you told Mason at least?”
    Chloe didn’t reply.
    â€œOh dear Lord. Chloe!”
    â€œMom! Can you please not stress me out more than I already am? I tell you what, sign my passport application, and I’ll tell everybody everything in Barcelona.”
    â€œChloe, you haven’t told your boyfriend you’re leaving?”
    â€œMom, he’ll find out soon enough! He’s got his last varsity game coming up. He’s been in training for three weeks. I didn’t want to bother him. And I only just decided.”
    â€œA month ago.”
    â€œA few weeks ago.” She stuck out her hand, trying not to shake. “Please can I have the keys?”
    â€œI’m telling you right now, I’m not doing it,” Lang said, opening her purse. “You’re not hopping on a plane and leaving me behind to mop up your mess with Mason and Hannah and Blake.”
    â€œWhat’s Blake got to do with it? Let me go to Barcelona and I’ll tell them myself.”
    â€œDon’t threaten me, young lady, I won’t stand for it.”
    â€œThe keys. Mom. Please. ”

    In the car, while Hannah was angsting away about Martyn, Chloe wasn’t listening, her focus elsewhere. Had there been silence in the car, she might have attempted a confession. A pretend-casual tone. No big deal, Hannah. I know you’re thinking we’re going