The Scammer(73)

His brows wrinkle as he stoops to eye level. “I’m not ready, Jordyn. I’m sorry.”

My heart cracks once more with a loud clink, knowing there’s nothing I can say to change his mind just like there’s nothing anyone can say to change my mind about Kevin.

I step back with a nod. “Yeah. I understand.”





Twenty-Seven




The entire ride back to DC feels like a slow march to my death. The dread a heavy wall inside my chest.

Nick and I stay silent for the most part. I’m not angry at him. A little confused but not upset. I’m too busy worrying about what waits for me back at the dorm. Will Devonte be there? What will they say? What will they do? What have they been doing all weekend? Why am I still worried about being left out?

As soon as Nick pulls in front of Rock Hall I steel myself.

Nick opens his mouth as if to say something, but I don’t wait to hear the words. I slam the door behind me without taking a second glance back.

As soon as I turn the corner on my floor, I see a woman standing by the suite door.

“Hello?”

She gives me a once-over, her eyebrow arching up.

“You must be Jordyn.”

“Yeah. How do you . . .”

“Kammy told me what you looked like. I’m Nina.”

“Nina?”

“Her sister. So. Where is she? What boy got her so sick in the head that she wouldn’t come home for Thanksgiving?”

I blink. “Uh, I have no clue. I’m just getting back from break.”

Her lips purse. She steps back, nodding at the door. “Well, you gonna let me in or what?”

I jump, fumbling with the keys, and open the door. The suite is empty and somewhat tidy. Nina scans the room, unimpressed. She storms into the kitchen, yanking open the fridge.

“Ain’t no food in here. Just some of this stuff that smells awful.”

The tea. It looks fermented, lumps floating to the top. How long has everyone been gone?

“This kitchen is filthy,” she mumbles. “Kammy would never . . . Which room is hers?”

I point and she marches over, swinging the door open.

“Why isn’t it locked? Y’all don’t lock your doors?” She steps into the room, her nose turning up. “It stinks in here. What’s that? Body oils or something?”

I stand at the threshold watching her search through Kammy’s belongings, shell-shocked.

“Did you try her cell?” I ask.

“Over a hundred times. We all have. Last time anyone heard from her was weeks ago, calling Mama, looking for money. But she didn’t come home for Thanksgiving, didn’t even call.”

I glance at the bathroom, fighting the urge to throw up.

Nina shakes her head. “Thanksgiving is her favorite holiday. She wouldn’t miss it. Not for nothing. Something’s wrong. When’s the last time you saw her?”

“I . . . uh . . . I’m not sure. I don’t remember.”

She huffs. “What d’you mean you don’t remember? What was she doing? Who was she with? Do you know anything!”

I’m too blindsided to react to the accusation, still absorbing that the suite is really empty. Cleaned out like they were expecting someone to stop by. Where are they? Why didn’t they tell me where they were going? Did they already leave for Emancipation . . . without me?

“Well?” Nina snaps.

I swallow. “Last time I saw Kammy, she was here . . . alone. But most of the time she was with our roommate . . . and her brother.”

Nina purses her lips.

“Her brother, huh? You know she broke up with her man? Right after Halloween. That ain’t like her either. She loved that boy. Even if he is dumb as rocks. He wanted to come here and check on her but we told him to wait until the holiday. That she’d be back and would get her mind right. All she needed was some time and prayer. Now I wish I hadn’t waited.” She tosses a book on the floor. “Why does her room look like this? Where’s all her stuff?”

“What stuff?”

“Her designer bags, makeup, jewelry. Her wig!”

I look around. I hadn’t noticed so much of her belongings were missing.

“Maybe she took it with her,” I offer.

She rolls her neck. “How you roommates and you don’t know where she is, what she doing, or nothing about her? She said y’all were close.”

“I . . . I . . .”

Nina shakes her head and takes out her cell phone. “Something ain’t right. I’m going to the police.”

The police?

“No!” I exclaim. “I’m sure she’s around and she’s fine. Everyone loves Kammy!”

“Yeah and that’s the problem,” she snaps, walking out of her room. “She falls in love with everyone, thinking everyone is her damn friend. I told Mama she’s too trusting to be going off to some college in some big city we ain’t ever been to before.”

My stomach ties in knots. Kammy sounds like the perfect victim.

Nina stands with arms crossed, expectantly. I have to play this smart. We don’t need the police involved. That’ll just complicate matters.

“Maybe she spent Thanksgiving with a friend,” I offer.

“Which friend?” she snaps.