Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 177(@200wpm)___ 142(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 177(@200wpm)___ 142(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
Why?
Because…
A – Tomas is still sleeping off whatever shenanigans he got himself into the night before when I make my midmorning appearance.
B – He doesn’t believe his ass should ever be up before the afternoon soap operas, not that he watches those.
C – He doesn’t like not getting his way for this long.
It’s been over three weeks that Elias and I have been doing…whatever it is we’re doing…and for the first time in my life, I’m living more by my own wants and needs and desires rather than what my family demands.
Pretty sure that’s really why Tomas has an issue with me not visiting in the afternoons and evenings.
He’s manipulative like our dad – although the latter only tends to look out for himself – but usually believes my best interests are in his overly protective hands.
My body slouches down a bit further in the roof top pool side chair I was peacefully studying in before he called to throw a tantrum.
“This shit is ridiculous,” Tomas continues to grouse from the other end of the phone. “I should be able to see you when I wanna fucking see you, Zel,”
“It’s not about what you want” is right on the tip of my tongue yet never leaves.
“I mean, come on with all this bullshit! I haven’t seen my baby sister in like two months or something. You don’t think that’s fucked up?!”
This time I physically bite down on the inside of my cheek to stop myself from mentioning the two obvious facts – which are that I haven’t even been gone that long and that he was also locked up for a portion of that time!
“He’s keeping you locked up,” Tomas tosses out a version of the same line I was just mentally screaming. “I fucking know that asshole is secretly keeping you locked in the attic or some shit.”
“That’s not true, Tomas, and you know it. I visited mom literally yesterday!”
“How do I know you really visited her?”
“Maybe because she told you? Maybe because you could hear my voice but stayed in bed anyway? Maybe because there were extra dishes in the sink?”
“Why didn’t you fucking stay until I got up if you were really here then? So that I could see with the two eyes in my own head?”
“I had classes to attend!” I squeak my retort. “A degree I’m trying to finish. A degree that I was studying my ass off for beside the most beautiful pool I’ve ever seen while sipping on a strawberry banana smoothie with extra whipped cream.” Mirth appears in my tone as I tease, “Now, does that sound like a woman being kept against her will?”
“Sounds like a chick being brainwashed by two types of bananas, ya feel me?”
“Tomas.”
“Gimme your address.”
With my cellphone tightly fisted in my hand, I push down the lump of trepidation that’s rapidly growing in my throat.
I don’t like the demand.
Especially after all the comments he’s been making.
Tomas isn’t a perfect big brother, but he’s loyal and fierce as fuck when he thinks I can’t handle myself. Sadly, that’s been the story for most of my life. He’s never believed I was strong enough to protect myself, hence why he was constantly punching guys who pulled my pigtails in grade school and teased me in middle school.
Never mind that some of them did it because they actually liked me.
His overbearing way of behaving is the reason I almost didn’t have a prom date.
Tomas means well.
Like, I know he means well, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s trouble.
And trouble is the last thing I need in my paradisaical existence right now.
Dietrich’s overly obnoxious and very sudden throat clearing catches me completely off guard. I hastily propel myself into an erect position causing the textbook I was studying to launch from my lap towards the pool. In a frantic juggle not to drop my phone but still catch the reading material, I sort of yell the direction of my falling device at the same time I screech, “I’ll text you later, Tomas!”
“Zel, I want pic-”
Thankfully the book falls into my extended arms while Dietrich effortlessly catches my cell in his palm.
Butler or magician?
Tomas’s voice can still be heard yelling through the receiver prompting me to collect my phone and end the call without saying another word.
His stare continues to remain unamused. “Perhaps you should tend to your gentleman caller-”
“It’s my big brother…”
“-before I review this evening’s itinerary?”
I give my hair a nervous twirl, bite my bottom lip in contemplation, and quietly promise, “It’ll only take a sec.”
Dietrich momentarily turns his attention elsewhere leaving me to peacefully tap out my current address along with a line about being out for the entire evening and most of tomorrow, too.
While a busy man, I can say Elias always carves out time that’s just for us in his busy schedule.