Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
“I was going to leave early if you don’t need me for anything else.”
“Got plans with Cooper?” He gives me a teasing smile. Sebastian has been the one to come around the quickest to all of the recent changes in our lives. But honestly, I didn’t expect anything less from him. He’s always been my biggest cheerleader and only wants me to be happy. That is what he cares about at the end of the day. He only hated Cooper because he thought he hurt me.
“No, I was actually going to see if I can lure Sadie out to talk.”
“I tried.” Sebastian shakes his head. “Out of all the kids, she’s been the one that is always saying she’s okay with everything, but she’s really not.”
“I know. I’m going to get to the bottom of it.”
“Good luck,” he says as I head out of the office.
Sadie can be the hardest to get anything out of. It took Van seeing the girls from school picking on her before we got her to talk to us about it. She never wants to make waves.
“Sadie,” I call when I enter the house. The whole place is quiet, but I know she’s home. I head upstairs to her bedroom. “Sadie.” I knock on her door.
“Come in.” She sits up on her bed.
“You haven’t done anything to your room yet?” She shrugs. “What’s going on?” I sit down on the bed next to her.
“Nothing.” Which in teenager language means everything. I guess she’s gonna make me pull it out of her.
“Come on. Us girls, we're supposed to stick together.” I bump her shoulder with mine.
“Are we?” I don’t like the sad tone in her voice.
“Sadie.” I turn to face her. “What's going on?”
“Dad and I will leave.”
“What?”
“I mean, it makes sense. We don’t fit anymore.” She drops her eyes to stare down at her fingers that she’s wringing together. Her words hit me like a ton of bricks.
“Sweetheart. You’re my daughter.” I can’t help but get choked up. I had no idea she was feeling this way.
“I was someone else's daughter, and they left too,” she whispers, breaking my heart. “Van’s dad didn’t really leave him.”
“Your birth mom walking away gave you to me. You’re my daughter. I chose you.” I grab her hands. “That makes you extra special.”
A smile pulls at her lips. “He doesn’t want us here.”
“Cooper?”
“No, he’s actually really nice. He’s really sweet to you.” It hits me that she’s talking about Dunc. I thought it was only he and Van that were going at it. But obviously, that’s not the case.
“It’s a big change for everyone. Dunc might have the same fears as you. He lost his parents too.” I know it may sound like I’m making excuses for his behavior, but that’s not the case. I’m trying to look at things from all sides.
“Maybe.” She gives another one of her shrugs.
“It’s his loss, Sadie. Van adores you, and he never likes anyone.”
“He is kinda a grump.” She snorts a laugh.
“Maybe it’s in the Donovan blood,” I tease.
“Cooper’s sweet.”
“Unless something isn’t going his way. Trust me. He has his moments.”
“But even then, it’s still adorable.” Adorable is not in the top twenty words I would use to describe Cooper. “It’s nice seeing someone in love.”
I already know where her head is going. If Sadie isn’t studying for school, she has her nose in her Kindle, reading.
“I’m sure you’ll have your pick of boys.”
“Whatever.” She blushes. “Do you think we can go for a drive?”
“Whoa. Really?”
“Van has to run me home after school. I should be able to get myself around.”
“You know he doesn’t care, nor do I. If you’re not ready—”
“I’m ready.” She stands up to put her sneakers on.
“All right then. We can drive to the little shopping center. I saw a taco place there.” I hand her the keys. We need some girl time. There’s a lot of testosterone flowing in this house lately. It’ll be nice for it to be just the two of us.
“Seat belt,” she says the second we get into the car.
“You got this.” I click my belt on. “See, it’s not so bad.”
“We’re only at the end of the driveway, Mom.” Sadie laughs but turns out onto the street.
“Take a left at the second stop sign,” I direct her. She pulls up to the first stop sign. The sound of a screeching vehicle pulls my attention. “Stay.” I put my hand out, seeing a white van speeding down the road.
“I don’t think they’re going to stop.” I don’t think so either. I spot a cop car behind it with its lights on, chasing it. There is a teenager behind the wheel.
“Just let it pass through,” I tell Sadie.
Except it doesn’t pass through. It takes a hard left at the last second, hitting us head-on. All I can hear is Sadie’s scream before darkness takes me.