Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 87911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“You do it all the time.”
The pizza arrived. Alfie took a large slice and bit into it, moaning as the flavors exploded on his tongue. He was fucking starving.
“This may mean I won’t be hanging out with you guys so much either.”
“Suits me. I can’t wait to see her face when she realizes. It’s going to be fucking epic.”
Chapter Five
“I’m sorry about the spa day,” Lily said.
“Mom, this is just as awesome.” Chloe slipped her finger across the spoon. It was covered in melted chocolate. Rather than have a spa day, as they couldn’t afford it because her mother no longer wanted to rely on Kurt, her mother had taken her for new boots, and they’d decided to stay in and make cupcakes.
Lily rarely baked anymore, but when she did it was a treat.
“Stop stealing all the chocolate,” Lily said. “There won’t be enough for the frosting.”
Chloe stepped away from the counter and held her hands up. “I need to stop eating it. It tastes so good.”
“How is school? You haven’t said anything recently.”
For the past two weeks, Alfie had stayed by her side nonstop, at least when he could. They didn’t share all the same classes. It was nice to have someone near, but at the same time, she knew something was up.
“It was okay, you know.”
“I know that sound. What’s bugging you, sweetie?” Lily asked.
She didn’t want to get Alfie into trouble, but she couldn’t help but wonder what was going on.
“Alfie.”
“Do I need to go and kick his father’s ass?” Lily asked.
“No. No.” The memory of Alfie taking a spanking was all too much for her to bear. She didn’t want to get anyone else into trouble and Alfie may not like her, but she had nothing against him. “It’s fine. Really. For the most part I mean. It’s just, he’s being nice to me.”
“And this is a problem?”
“Kind of. Don’t you think it’s a little strange that the guy who likes to bully me suddenly wants to be friends?” Chloe asked.
“You don’t think he’s just listened to his father this time?”
Chloe shrugged. “I don’t know. What if it’s not though? What if he’s planning something horrible?”
“Have I turned you into this nervous person who believes the bad in everyone?” Lily said, approaching her. She pushed some hair off her shoulders.
“No. No. I know Alfie and his little clique, and I know me. I don’t know. Maybe I’m obsessing a little too much, do you think?”
“I personally think it’s good to obsess, but so long as that brat is not spoiling my daughter, I don’t care.” Lily hugged her as the doorbell rang. “You go and answer that while I finish up the cupcakes.”
Lily ruffled her hair, and Chloe was smiling as she answered the door.
Alfie was standing there, arms folded, looking a little nervous.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
He’d never been around her house.
“What does it look like? I decided to call on you.”
“Now, I don’t get this. It’s kind of creepy. You don’t just call around for someone you don’t like,” she said. The words were having absolutely no filter, and she was just blurting them out without a care in the world.
She did care. A lot.
Alfie gripped the edges of the doorway.
She could slam the door closed and poof, fingers gone. Regardless of what happened the other day, she didn’t believe in violence.
“Who said I didn’t like you?”
“Years and years of hatred.”
“Ah, but in all those years did I ever say the words, ‘I hate you, Chloe’?”
“You just did.”
“Doesn’t count.”
“What do you want, Alfie?” she asked.
“How about we hang out? Spend some time together.”
“Not going to happen,” she said.
“Who is it?” Lily asked, coming up behind her. “Oh, Alfie, honey, you’re here.”
“Hello, Mrs. Decker. I’m sorry to just arrive like this, but I was hoping to take Chloe out for a little bit.”
“I’ve told him no,” Chloe said.
“Why would you do that?” Lily asked.
“I don’t want to go, and no one can make me.” She looked toward Alfie. “I already made plans.”
“Well, how about he joins us?” Lily said.
“Mom!”
“I’d love that, Mrs. Decker.”
“Come on in then, Alfie, wash your hands. We’re in the kitchen.”
Chloe’s mouth dropped open. She was pissed off, angry. “What the hell?” she asked, closing the door.
“Keep your voice down,” Lily said.
“I don’t want him here, Mom.”
“Look, you don’t think he’s changed and something is up. I trust my daughter, and this is my way of seeing if it’s true and helping you. I don’t like how you’re pushing everyone away in your life.”
“This is insane. You know that, right? He’s Eagle’s kid?”
“Eagle’s a good man.”
“Please.” She hadn’t told anyone about the beating Alfie had gotten.
“I’m going to be here the entire time, Chloe. Trust me, okay? I won’t let anything happen to you. I love you.” Lily leaned in close and kissed the corner of her mouth.