Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 99766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
We both grow quiet as my mind wanders. I wonder how quickly her happily ever after will come. Samantha is working on helping Terrence, but it’s taking forever. Eventually, her breathing evens out. Soft and rhythmic. It’s a soothing sound that lulls me into my own sleep.
A loud, grinding sound drags me from my peaceful slumber.
It sounds as though it’s on a repeating reel. Each time it reaches its peak, my hair moves in tandem with the softer part of it. Then, my hair seems to get sucked into the louder, more intense part of it.
I’m dizzied and confused by it, trying to make sense of it as I blink my eyes open.
Warmth surrounds me, making me sticky with sweat. I’m fully dressed, but a hand cups my breast beneath my shirt over my bra. The scent of stale alcohol assaults my senses.
This is a bad dream.
I turn my head slightly, earning a bright stream of sunlight straight into my eyes. It’s enough to wake me out of my daze.
The scent.
The man holding me in his sleep.
Oh my God.
I’m in Jack’s bed.
Panic consumes me as I slide out of his grip. His snoring continues as I stumble out of the bed, my ass hitting the floor with a hard thump. I jump to my feet, shoving my hand into my hoodie pocket, searching for my phone. It’s missing.
Why was I in his bed? How did I get there?
I remember falling asleep with Zella.
Rushing from his room, unable to shake the oily feeling, I hunt for my phone. I find it in the bed with Zella, who sleeps peacefully. With a quick kiss to her head, I shove my shoes on, grab my keys off the nightstand, and get the hell out of Jack’s house.
My phone is dead, so as soon as I turn on my Jeep, I plug it in. Within seconds, I realize I have tons of missed calls and texts.
Crap.
Dad. Charlotte. Mom. Aunt Karen. Terrence. Tierra. Cal. Hollis. Roan. Jordy. Roux. Jace. Lo.
Everyone, and I do mean everyone, has tried reaching me. Most of this didn’t happen until about an hour ago. Probably after they woke up and realized I never came home.
I reach a stoplight and quickly reply to Dad.
Me: I’m fine. Be home in ten minutes.
It takes more like eight minutes, but as soon as the door to Dad’s loft opens, I’m met by several extremely pissed people. They all yell at me at once, the sounds beating on into my skull at a maddening level. The tears burn at my eyes, but I refuse to let them free.
“I’m late for work,” Mom says finally, a mixture of fury and hurt on her face. “Call me later, Garrett, and fill me in.”
As soon as she’s gone, I’m trapped with Dad, Jace, and Terrence. I can’t look at Terrence knowing I spent the night with his daughter and the man he hates. He’s so good at reading me. If his stare bores into me, I’ll lose it.
“I’m tired,” I mutter. “I can’t go to school today. Can we talk later?”
“No,” Dad growls. “Not until you tell us where in the hell you’ve been.”
I glance at Jace, who scowls my way. Even my playful, never serious friend is pissed. Great.
“A friend’s house.” Not a lie. Zella is my friend.
“Who?” Terrence demands. “We were worried sick about you. Charlotte and Cal left as soon as you texted to head to school, but they thought…” He trails off with a growl. “They thought you were hurt.”
The reminder that Charlotte was kidnapped, raped, and severely injured is all too fresh in my mind. I’m sure it gave her quite the panic, and I hate that. I hate that I caused everyone to worry.
“I’m sorry, okay?” I croak out.
“Not okay,” Dad grinds out. “You have no idea how fucking worried I was. I thought those guys from the party somehow got a hold of you. I thought I’d lost another little girl to violence.” He swallows, his eyes sheening with unshed tears. “Where were you, Penny?”
“I told you! At a friend’s!”
Jace rolls his eyes in disbelief and Terrence glowers at me.
“Unbelievable,” Dad bites out. “You always had a level head on you, kid, but something is up. Is it drugs?”
Jace finally snorts. “Drugs are bad.”
I want to crack a smile at him, but I know Dad will lose his mind.
“It’s not drugs. I went to a friend’s and fell asleep. When I woke up, it was morning and my phone was in the other room. It’s not a lie. Believe me or don’t.” I lift my chin, meeting each one of their stares.
“There’s more you’re not telling us,” Terrence says. “You can tell us anything. Anything.”
Not this.
Tears threaten once again, but I force an impassive look. “There’s nothing to tell.”
Dad opens his mouth to probably yell at me some more. I hold up a hand, stopping him. Turning on my heel, I storm back to my bedroom. I lock it behind me and then take a long, hot shower where I do let the tears leak free.