Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
I have nothing to say to that, I'm angry, but mostly I'm confused. I don't know where to go from here or what to say. Alarick wants me to be something I can't be right now. Part of the club, someone who will always stand true by his side. While I don't have anything against the club, I can't deny that the world they're living in scares me.
I'm not sure I'm ready for it.
Alarick turns and walks out, and I watch him go knowing it'll be the last time I see him.
My heart cracks into a thousand tiny pieces, and I grip my chest, fighting back my tears. Every part of me wants to run to him and tell him everything, and yet I know there is no use. He’s angry at me, he's disappointed in me, and we're never going to agree when it comes to King. He's always going to have his dad's back, and as much as it kills me, I know I deserve someone who is going to be on my side.
No matter what.
Right now, Alarick isn't that person.
I turn and walk out of the club, trying to fight back my tears. I get into my car, and they flow forth, rolling down my cheeks as I drive back to King's place. Once there, I pack the last of my things, leave a note for King, and then drive over to Magnolia's. When I get there, she's hanging out with a few friends, laughing, looking like maybe she will just fit in here.
Me not so much.
I wave to her when she notices me standing by my car, and she comes rushing out, her eyes concerned. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, but I need to go now. I can't be here any longer."
"Alarick didn't want to go with you?" she asks, shocked.
"Alarick wants me to be part of the club and be on his side, but right now...I can't give him that. I'm broken. I need time to fix myself. I need to recreate my life. I didn't tell him I was leaving; he made it very clear how he felt. I have to do this for me."
"Where are you going to go?"
I shrug. "I don't know yet, but I'll find somewhere that makes me happy. I'll call all the time, but I can't promise I'll be back to visit. You're more than welcome to come and see me though."
She hugs me; her hold tight and desperate. "I don't want you to go, but I know you have to. I'm going to miss you so much."
"I'm going to miss you, too," I say to her, tears rolling forth again. "Please, promise me you'll take care of yourself here, and if anything happens, you'll call me right away. Remember King will always take care of you, I know we might not see eye to eye, but I also know if you're ever in trouble he will make sure you're okay. Don't be afraid to use that."
She nods and steps back, tears running down her cheeks, too.
"Come visit me all the time, okay?" I croak.
"Okay," she smiles, wiping her tears. "I love you, Briella."
"I love you, too. More than anything."
I give her another hug and then I get in my car with all of my things, and I drive.
I drive past the house I grew up in.
I drive past the club that quickly became my family.
I drive until the city is just a spot in the distance.
I have to start again.
I'm making the right decision.
Even if right now it feels like I'm never going to be okay again.
I have to believe in something, and right now...
I choose to believe in myself.
20
NOW – BRIELLA
"Well, I didn't think it would take you long to crawl back in here," Sissy says, crossing her arms and leaning her hip against the bar at the club. She flicks her hair over her shoulder and looks me up and down.
"It's nice to see you again too, Sissy. I'm glad your attitude has improved so much over the years."
She grunts. "What can I say? I am who I am."
"Don't be a fuckin' pain in the ass, Sissy," Alarick growls. "What are you doin' here anyway, thought you moved away with your drop kick fuck of a boyfriend?"
"We broke up," she mutters, studying her nails. "It's a long story."
"Don't care to hear it, either." Alarick points out. "What are you doin' here?"
"Wanted to see if I could crash at your place a while, you know until I get back on my feet."
"No," Alarick says immediately. "Not right now."
"Why not, because she's here?"
She glares at me, and I exhale, crossing my arms.
"She just lost her sister. She has no one left. You need to have some fuckin' manners."
Sissy narrows her eyes in confusion. Did she not know about Magnolia? Judging by the expression on her face, I'm guessing not.