Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 145231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 726(@200wpm)___ 581(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 726(@200wpm)___ 581(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
For me to give up what I’ve built, what I’ve lived, and go back to being the doormat she always wanted in a daughter.
Worse, it’s the future she wants to inflict on Arlo.
I take a deep breath as I finish chewing my cake. Lemon, with a sweet icing that counteracts the sharpness.
“Look, you can talk all you want about a fresh start,” I tell them both. “And you can try to tempt me with money and promises, but I have a life here. I have a family. And I have no intention of giving that up. If you’d like to meet Arlo and come back into my life, you’ll respect my terms.”
Mom’s perfectly outlined mouth tightens at the corners. “We’re your family, Lemmy. Oh, it’s been years. Can’t we just forget this whole mess ever happened?”
“No. You abandoned me to raise my son alone so you could go chase beaches and your holiday trips to Hawaii.” The ire in my voice scrapes them raw with the truth, judging from the way they flinch back. I take a bite of the cake. “Also, I don’t need your money or your assistance. I’m co-parenting now.”
“With who?” Dad sucks in a sharp breath.
“Arlo’s father,” I say flatly.
Mom blinks at me as she swallows a gasp. “You—you knew who he was? Not your ex?”
“Not even close. He’s a wonderful part of Arlo’s life, and mine.” There’s a secret wish in my words, a prayer that Patton will always be around.
“Who is he?” she demands, drumming her nails on the table.
“His name is Patton Rory. He’s smart. He’s kind. More importantly, he’s always there for us, and I never need to have to ask him twice for anything.” There’s no point in hiding it now, or the sour little victory I feel at the shock shadowing their faces.
“Rory? As in…” Mom trails off as her face falls.
Dad’s expression withers.
Even with their California dreaming, the Rory name hits them like a bullet. That’s how it is with Kansas City royalty. Maybe Mom even met Delly while she was here, moving frantically in her lofty social circles.
“One of the Rory brothers,” Dad says in disbelief. “Higher Ends?”
“The one and only. The youngest brother, Patton.” I don’t bother hiding the smugness in my voice. If they thought they could lure me back with money, they’re mistaken. Patton Rory earns more in a year than they’ll earn in a lifetime.
“Impossible!” Mom hisses. “How could you possibly know them?”
“I didn’t, but things change fast. Arlo’s actually staying with Delly Rory right now while we have this family reunion.”
They gawk at me for what feels like a century.
I’m sure they’re waiting for me to back down and say I lied.
No dice.
I don’t back down. I meet their gazes with all the defiance Patton taught me, knocking me out of my own head and my fears with every kiss. I wish so badly I’d appreciated it more.
“Arlo’s on the mend. He’ll be fine, in case you wondered,” I say finally, when they don’t speak. “You came here because you were worried about him, right?”
Dad takes off his glasses and meticulously cleans them on the edge of his shirt before putting them back on. It’s a tell he’s had forever when he’s nervous or at a loss for words.
His eyes are the same watery light-brown glass they’ve always been, but they can’t hide his feelings now.
“Patton Rory,” he repeats. “Of all people, she could have at least told us—”
“Byron,” Mom snaps, unleashing the anger that’s been building inside her.
She’s always been the one with the temper. She uses words like swords, but time and motherhood has hardened my skin.
If she wants to stab me in the face, I’m ready.
I’ll never let Arlo experience the same awful feelings she inflicted on me, the dread that I was never good enough.
“Salem Hopper, you need to tread lightly,” she whispers. Her anger is unsheathed, and the kid working with Junie looks at us. “This is not a game. Men like Patton Rory will entertain you as long as you’re pretty and interesting, but that doesn’t last forever. Come home before it’s too late, before you lose everything.”
“Did I say we were dating?” I retort. The color drains from Mom’s overdone face. “He’s a good man to the end. He’s responsible and he’s perfectly happy to step up.” I stand then, taking one more little cake from the beautifully crafted stand. “It’s nice to know it’s possible, especially when he’s so rich. If you guys want back in my life, you should think about how you want to handle things next time. Think about how Patton treats me. Think hard.”
“Salem, wait. Don’t you dare walk out. Don’t you dare leave us—” Mom says, but I don’t turn around. I’m up and moving.
Just like before, we part ways with someone walking out.