Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 145634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 728(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 485(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 728(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 485(@300wpm)
I stir the cereal around in my bowl of milk. I don’t have much of an appetite anymore. I push the bowl away and try to calm down. Runs the town. What’s there to run? I gather my hair and pull it over my shoulder. All I can think is that he’s doing shady shit. It makes me feel sick to my stomach. I want to question Tony. I want straight answers, but at the same time, I just don’t want to know. Knowing I’d rather hide from the truth than deal with whatever it is that he’s doing makes me cringe. I’m like one of those mothers I hate, enablers. Women who turn a blind eye while their children go further and further down the wrong path. I feel sick just thinking about it.
I drag one of my books that was on the edge of the table closer to me and flip it open. The letters seem to blend together as I read them. All the black and white print is mixing and turning grey. I blink a few times and flip the page. Just one more semester.
I look up at the sounds of running water and dishes being stacked together.
Tony and Sandra are washing the dishes together in the large porcelain farmhouse sink. I'm rereading the last paragraph I just read. I can't concentrate.
I can’t think about anything except Derek. My phone rings and I look at the number, but I have no idea who it is. The caller ID just displays numbers on the screen. I debate on not answering, but then it hits me. It could be him.
“Hello?” I answer as calmly as possible, trying not to seem like I’m dying inside for it to be Derek.
“Morning, sweetheart.” A wave of relief and something else go through my body when I hear his voice. “What are you up to?” he asks.
I can’t help the smile on my face as I tap a pen on my textbook. I’ve always been so conflicted when it comes to Derek. I can’t help that I want him. I’m drawn to him, even knowing it’s wrong.
My face flushes as I realize Tony and Sandra are watching me closely.
“Uhh, nothing. Just studying,” I say quietly, turning away from my audience. “How about you?”
I can hear Sandra whispering something not-so-quietly to Tony. I close my eyes and just ignore them.
“Not much.” He’s gonna ask me out. I can feel it. My eyes pop open as I wait to hear the words. God, I feel so young and naive again. “I was just thinking about you, and I need to see you again. You wanna go out tomorrow night?” he asks. Yes!
I start to answer how I would have all those years ago. Of course. Whatever you want. I would have followed him anywhere back then.
But this time, I hesitate. We were two dumb kids in puppy love. Now we’re adults, and this is real life.
And I need to know what his business is. I tap the pen a little faster on the textbook.
“You there?” I hear him ask.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m free.” I can go. I should go, if for no other reason than just to talk. But I know there’s more to it than talking. I know I’m heading down a path that’s going to suck me in and threaten to take over.
“Yes!” I hear Sandra squeal in the kitchen, her feet padding against the floor. I don’t have to turn around to know she’s practically running in place.
I shake my head, my hand over my eyes. I love my sister, but what was she thinking? My heart squeezes in my chest.
“Great. I'll pick you up at eight,” he says in that deep voice that makes me want his lips on me.
“See you then,” I say softly into the phone, feeling a mixture of emotions running through my blood.
“Bye sweetheart,” he says.
I really should have said no, but the butterflies in my stomach and everything in our past are clouding my judgment.
I just hope this isn’t a huge mistake.
CHAPTER 6
Derek
I’ve got it bad. All I wanted to do yesterday was pick her up. I knew she’d be home alone and studying. Some things never change.
I take a look at her in the passenger seat as I slow down at the red light, my Porsche humming smoothly.
She’s playing with the hem of her dress and mouthing along to the song on the radio.
“I like this one,” she says sweetly when she sees I’m looking at her. A beautiful blush rises to her cheeks and she tucks a strand of her hair that’s escaped from her bun behind her ear.
“Why are you so nervous today?” I ask her. The way she’s looking away from me and shifting in her seat makes it more than obvious that she’s apprehensive about something. It’s more than that though. She seems uncomfortable. Like she’s second-guessing this.