Total pages in book: 150
Estimated words: 148434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 742(@200wpm)___ 594(@250wpm)___ 495(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 742(@200wpm)___ 594(@250wpm)___ 495(@300wpm)
She wipes her face, easing more. “I know we have to move.”
My chest rises.
“But it’s such a drastic change, and I don’t just want to snap my fingers and be done here.”
“I understand,” I say deeply. “This doesn’t have to be a fire drill. You can take your time looking for a new place.”
“We,” she corrects.
I nod, “You and Maximoff.”
She frowns and clutches my shoulder stronger. “You and me.”
We.
My lips lift into a heartfelt smile, one I didn’t think would come at the end of this conversation.
41
JANE COBALT
“No boy’s allowed!” my mom screams from the treehouse window. “Go away, Loren!”
Uncle Loren glares up at her from the foot of the tree. “Fine, Cruella, I was just asking if you needed more blankets. Freeze your titanium pussy off for all I care!”
“Go fuck a cactus!” My mom gets the last word in before returning to the mound of blankets. With stiff grace, she sinks onto her butt pillow like a beautiful ice queen. Black silk nightgown, royally expensive diamond necklace and earrings to match—she appears fit to sleep on a throne.
Instead, she’s lounging in a homemade treehouse. Her silky, lush brown hair flies as wind blows through the wooden structure.
I stare fondly. I revere every little bit of my mom, and lately, I haven’t needed to remind myself that I’m just as worthy and beautiful.
I just feel that I am, and I’ve been more content with myself these days.
Her piercing yellow-green eyes ping between me and her two sisters. She’s a fire-breather of epic proportions, one encased with love. “Where were we?”
A smile spreads across my face.
Boozy PJ night in the Meadows treehouse is forever a top-tier favorite occasion. My mom, aunts, and I try to have them a couple times a month, and after I returned from Scotland, they announced an emergency PJ night.
One week into February and the winter chill still nips my skin—but the weather feels brisk and cool compared to the frostbitten temperatures in the Highlands. Portable heaters keep us toasty enough that no one wears coats.
I’m quite warm in a pastel pink and orange heart pajama set, topped with a cat-eared beanie.
Aunt Daisy digs into a bag of chocolate chips. “We were talking about the great and glorious house hunting adventures.” She spreads her hand in the air, miming a rainbow.
We laugh.
After I sip my beer, they look more serious, awaiting my response.
They were all too happy when Moffy and I announced that we planned to move. Our parents have expressed firm disapproval of us living in the townhouse after the first break-in. But we’re adults, and they try to respect our choices.
To be frank, I think they softened their worry so we wouldn’t clash. Some of the worst, most strained days between our parents and us were after the incest rumor. No one wishes to have a repeat.
But with the most recent break-in, I know they wouldn’t be able to restrain the brunt-force of their feelings. And they would’ve gone absolutely mad if we decided to stay.
“At the moment, we’re only certain about one thing.”
“What?” Aunt Lily asks.
“We all still want to live together.” I nod with each name. “Luna, Sulli, Moffy, Farrow, Thatcher, and me.”
They’re beaming and looking proudly to one another. And I’m positive it’s because their three oldest daughters are staying roommates.
“Don’t smile just yet,” I warn with a slight wince. “You’ll be displeased to know that we’re in no rush to leave the townhouse this week or even next month.”
My mom shoots me an icy look and snaps her fingers. “Timeline.”
“Post-summer, we’ll be gone.”
She scoffs. “God, that is too slow. Do you need help? I can find you a place tomorrow.”
“We have this handled,” I assure. “We just want to spend one more summer there. Sulli is the exception, of course.”
Aunt Daisy nods. Her daughter has already moved completely out of the townhouse. As soon as Sullivan heard that a pervert “busted a nut” on my bed, she told me, “I’m GTFO-ing really the fuck fast.”
She’s staying with her parents and little sister until we find a new place.
I rest my chin on my knuckles. “Plus, this gives us plenty of time to choose a location.”
It reminds me of Charlie.
We’d been on shaky ground after he blew up Thatcher’s cover. I forgave him. He’s my brother, and he just needed out of Mackintosh House to cool down.
When Charlie heard we planned to move, he welcomed all of us to plant roots in New York. He said, “To be closer.” He even included Moffy.
It feels like a peace offering. All things mended.
But I know it’s very possible that Charlie just wishes to shirk responsibility onto Maximoff and me. He’s had to look after our brothers in Hell’s Kitchen, and it’s a role he’s never filled to this degree before.
With us closer, he’d be free to leave more often.