Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 113837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
I wrapped an arm around him and held him against my chest. “I know. But he hurt Mom and that’s not right, you know?”
“I know. But he said he was sorry.”
“Yeah, and sorry isn’t enough sometimes, Arlo.”
He gave a curt nod. “But they’ll feed him in jail and let him watch TV?”
“Yeah. They’ll feed him.”
“Okay.”
The bang of pots and pans came from the kitchen before Grandpa shouted for Arlo to come help him make pancakes for dinner.
Arlo’s face lit up and he pushed off the bed, sprinting out of the room so fast he dropped his stuffed animal.
I got out of bed and picked the toy up. I never thought looking at a stupid stuffed unicorn would make me want to cry.
The next day, I went with mom to court, standing between her and Dad to make her feel safe. I hated the man, and wanted to be nowhere near him. The evidence was lined up. Years of domestic violence calls to the cops, pictures of injuries, and police statements. When the judge gave him three years, I released the breath I’d been holding. While I wished it had been for longer, it was enough because it got her away from him. And that’s all I could ask for.
She was quiet the entire drive home, silent tears streamed down her cheek. Even after everything, she still thought she loved him, and fuck if that didn’t make me livid.
“Are you okay?” I asked when I pulled into the drive. I knew she wasn’t. I knew there wasn’t anything I could do, but it would be shit of me not to ask.
“Yeah. I’m fine, baby.” Then she painted a watery smile on her face. “Tell the boys I said hi, would you?”
“I’ll stay, Mom.”
“No. Pops is here. Just...go have fun with your friends. Please.”
She kissed my cheek. “You deserve to have some time to yourself, Bellamy.” Then she got out of the car.
I hated to leave her, but I figured maybe she needed some time alone to process everything.
Hendrix: I’m taking a shit at the Waffle Hut.
Me: I don’t want to see a picture of your shit
Hendrix: Too late
A picture popped up and I immediately deleted it before backing out of the drive.
The entire way to Waffle Hut, I played the conversation from last night over and over in my head. And I kept coming back to her saying she felt like she’d trapped me.
Trapped me.
I stopped at a red light, staring at the traffic crossing the intersection before I banged a fist over my steering wheel. Why did I have to fall for the crazy rich girl? A crazy poor girl would have gotten pissed and gone to a friend's house to bitch about it, because she wouldn't be able to afford to jet off to France to sulk and drown herself in Champagne on a yacht.
I parked beside Wolf’s truck. Then shot off a text to Drew. I hadn’t texted her last night because I figured she was still drunk, plus I was annoyed as hell. But this was getting ridiculous.
Me: Whenever you get done pitching your fit, come home.
Me: I love you
Me: Don’t fucking cry about it
Hendrix and Wolf were already in a booth, and Hendrix had the Big Slammer Meal spread out in front of him.
“Way to wait, asshole,” I said, sliding into the booth.
Hendrix slurped back some of his milkshake. “I was hungry. Did you not see that shit I took. There was nothing left in there.”
I snatched a menu up.
“So,” he said. “I was telling Wolf, I think I could make money in amateur porn.”
Of course he did.
“This entire sappy music and porn thing has given me some ideas.”
I stared across the Waffle Hut table at him. “No one wants to see your dick.”
“Don’t come crying to me for a job when this blows up.” He pointed at his crotch.
Wolf chuckled. “I can see this shitshow now. Next thing you know, he’ll be recruiting girls from revivals.”
Hendrix slapped his arm on a grin. “Reading my mind, man. Reading my mind.”
The bell over the door jingled. Hendrix glanced over my shoulder, the idiotic grin on his face falling to an angry frown. “Oh, hell to the fuck no!”
Wolf’s gaze shifted, then he grabbed Hendrix by the shoulders and attempted to shove him out of the booth. “Let’s go.”
“No way. This is bullshit.”
“Out, Hendrix.” Wolf shoved him hard enough that he toppled to the floor.
I turned in the booth, and the site of Drew standing a few feet behind me nearly knocked the wind out of me. She looked exhausted, in a t-shirt and pair of leggings, her hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun. How in the hell...
A roller coaster of emotions rolled through me, peeking with relief and dipping down to anger.
Hendrix passed by her and shook his head, mumbling, “bullshit” beneath his breath before Wolf got him outside.