Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 142764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
I smile. "Yeah, I can see it now that I'm looking for it."
His green eyes twinkle just like our mother’s did, and it’s almost too much for me to endure. “Okay, that’s enough brotherly love for the day,” I joke and stand to head out of the room, hoping a little distance will dissipate the tightness in my chest.
“I know it’s hard and even a little uncomfortable… but I want you to know that I’ll always be here for you, Bel. I’m pissed that you were here this entire time, practically right under my nose, and I had no idea. Family is something I never had, and I missed out on getting to meet my real mom. I don’t want to miss out on developing a relationship with you, too.”
Dammit. The pressure on my chest becomes too much, and all I can do is nod. I scurry out of the room before I start to cry. Stupid tears.
Once back in my room, I find the place clean and the bed freshly made. I’m tempted to crawl under the covers and forget my plans for the day, but that wouldn’t do me any good. I need to pull myself together, to do something other than lie in bed all day. I need to do this for me, for Mom. She wouldn’t want me to lie around in bed all day, crying and dwelling on the things I can’t change.
I head for the closet and scour through the shelves, looking for a pair of jeans. I pluck a pair off a stack, and it hits me…
What will I do if I see Jackie? Ugh. What if I run into Drew? That would be my luck. Run into both of them.
I sigh, pull on the pair of jeans and my heaviest shit-kicker combat boots, and head down to the foyer.
They stored my car around here somewhere, but I haven't been outside much since I arrived. When one of the staff approaches at my lost look, they call a driver to take me to the campus. I don't have the strength to argue, especially if it's an extra pair of hands to help me carry anything I might need to bring back.
The car is something fancy and shiny and smells like old money. The driver opens the door for me, and as I climb inside, my phone vibrates with a text.
Sebastian. Of freaking course.
Sebastian: Be careful. Call if you need anything.
I shake my head as I type back.
Me: Yes, Dad.
His response makes me laugh.
Sebastian: Ew. Don't.
I tuck my phone into my hoodie pocket along with my keys and stare out the window as we drive toward campus. How long has Sebastian's family lived here? I guess I have to get used to calling them our family now even though it feels all wrong.
Why had Mother kept them a secret? Her letter didn't say much besides to trust Sebastian and that he would take care of me. How can I trust her in this when she doesn't know him any better than I do? Did she?
There are so many secrets that they feel like they are eating me alive and crawling under my skin. So many secrets and too many lies.
I'm thinking so hard as we drive to campus that the driver has to clear his throat when he opens the door to alert me to our arrival.
I climb out and give him a nod. "Thanks. I'll have some stuff to bring back to the house with me in a minute."
"Very good, miss."
I guess money really makes people respect you… or at the very least, afraid of you.
Gotta get used to that too.
I sigh and jog up the steps to the dorm building, then scan my card to enter. My body is tense as I walk. My nerves twinge with adrenaline as I walk down the hall to my room—my old room now, I guess. I unlock the door and stop dead when I spot Jackie sitting at the table in the middle of the main room.
We both freeze—her with a spoon halfway to her mouth and me with my keys dangling from my fingers.
She recovers first, as usual. "What the fuck do you want?"
Oh hell no, she doesn't get to speak to me that way after she completely betrayed me. "What's wrong, Jackie? Your sugar daddy tired of you already, now that you have nothing to offer him?"
Her face twists into an angry scowl, and she plops her spoon into her bowl, splattering milk around in an arc.
I shake my head and turn to my room, thankful I locked the door the last time I was here. Everything inside is just as I left it.
It takes a minute to find some tote bags and load them up with books and a few things I want to take. My laptop is too old to be crushed with the books, so I'll have to carry it.