Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77874 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77874 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Archer. You could have called Archer.
But I’ve never been the one to call him. He doesn’t even know Pretty Girl. At least Morgan does.
“Your family got up in the middle of the night to try and help you. The least you can do is show some appreciation.”
He’s right, of course he is, so I stand up, ignoring the pain in my face. The officer handcuffs me, then leads me to a small room.
The second I walk in, the first person I see is my dad. I don’t even know why I call him that. He’s not a father to me. He doesn’t want me. Never has. Immediately, I feel myself shrinking.
“Jesus Christ. Has he seen a doctor?” Morgan snaps.
“He refused,” the officer replies.
“I don’t give a fuck if he refused. He’s seeing a doctor,” Morgan argues, voice sounding like he’s barely hanging on.
The officer walks me over and seats me.
Why? Why does it sound like Morgan cares?
Because he does, El tells me.
“Yes. He is,” Rhett orders, and he’s like my dad in that when he says something, people listen. I don’t have to look at the officer to know he’s going to make it happen, and all that does is piss me off. I didn’t need this.
The door shuts behind me, and I know the officer left.
I turn to my middle brother. “Fuck you, Morgan. I asked for your help with Pretty Girl, not this.” I’m so tired of them trying to fix me, to make me into exactly what they want me to be so I don’t make them look bad.
“I called Rhett. I didn’t know he was at Dad’s.” Morgan kneels in front of me. When he reaches out and tries to touch my face, I pull away. “Christ, East. What happened?”
“Are you going to see my dog tomorrow?”
“Yes. And if we can’t make it, Cass will. We’ll take care of her. I promise. Right now, I’m more worried about you.”
I’m not worth it. One day you’ll see.
Yes, you are.
Stop it, Ella.
“What happened?” Rhett asks, his tone making it clear he thinks it’s my fault. It makes my skin feel too tight.
“I attacked someone. That’s what they told you, right?” It doesn’t matter what I say. It never does.
Dusty says, “We’re not asking what they told us. We’re asking you what happened because we trust and believe in you.” And he does. I don’t get why, but Dusty loves all of us. He’s been put through a lot because of it, and the last thing I want is to make that worse. The sooner he realizes I’m beyond help, the better, so I don’t reply.
Rhett tries again. “Easton, you have to give me something to work with here. Tell me what happened.”
Ah, because he’s going to be my lawyer. Of course he is. Gotta try and fix this for Dad.
“Him,” our father interrupts my thoughts. “He’s what happened. He always happens.”
He’s right, I do. I hate him, but he sees me for who I am.
I don’t reply, wish I could keep getting smaller and smaller until I disappear.
“Dad…” Morgan says, but I can’t make myself look at him, look at any of them.
Don’t listen to him, East.
He’s right, El.
No, he’s not.
“Not…babying him…anymore. He’s a disgrace,” Dad spits out, his words coming out slower because of the stroke.
“Dad!” Rhett warns.
“He’ll ruin us, ruin you. You’re running for mayor. Distance yourself from him. He’s not a Swift.”
He’s right, he’s right, he’s right.
Morgan pushes to his feet, yelling at Dad, who tries to get him to quiet down. Dusty holds Morgan back as he sticks up for me, tries to kick our dad out, but I don’t deserve that. Why is he doing that?
When Dad speaks again, it’s directed at me. I feel the hate, so I look at him, see it too. He’s not even trying to hide it from Morgan, Rhett, and Dusty.
“She wanted you…gave her life for you…and this…is how you thank her?” He’s talking about Mom. She wanted her girl, wanted a daughter so much, but she got two of us—me and Ella. A few days after she had us, she had a postpartum hemorrhage and didn’t make it. Nine years later, we lost Ella. “You weren’t worth it. Wish it had been you…not Ella.”
Me too.
And none of them even know the truth. If they did, knew I told Ella where to hide, then Morgan and Rhett would hate me too.
No, East. Don’t listen to him, Ella says.
Morgan lunges at Dad. Dusty tries to hold him back, but then…then the last thing I expect to happen does.
“That. Is. Enough!” Rhett grabs Dad. Rhett, who has never done anything to anger our father. Rhett, whose dream is to be just like him. “My whole fucking life I’ve tried with you, tried to be who you want, and I’m fucking done. Don’t ever talk to my brother that way again.”