Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97409 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97409 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“Fine,” I hiss and walk over to the cabinet by the microwave, taking out my checkbook. “I only have one hundred dollars. I don’t get paid for another two weeks.”
“You really need to learn how to save,” he says.
“Do you want it or not?”
“I have no fucking choice. This deal is too good to pass up. I’m going to have to figure out a way to come up with the other hundred dollars, but I think I can.” I sign the check and hand it to him.
“Now can you go?”
My mother eyes me, her head tilting to the side. “You’re up to something. Why are you trying to get rid of us?”
“You hiding something?” My father takes a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket and lights one.
“Don’t smoke that in here.” I move my hand side to side to block the smoke from getting to me. “I gave you the money. I have nothing left for you, so take it and leave.”
He takes a huge pull from his cigarette and blows the smoke right at me. “You know you can’t hide anything from us. We’re your parents.” He looks at my mother. “We’ll come back tomorrow to check on you.” He walks out, taking my mother with him.
As the door shuts, my head finally hangs down. “I’m sorry about that.” I put my hand on my stomach. “I really want you to grow up here”—a tear falls—“but maybe it would be better if we leave.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THEO
I park my truck on the street, getting out between two cars, and then slam the door. I can hear music coming out of Thatcher’s as I drag my feet over to the diner. Half the tables are empty, and the dinner rush is long over. I check my phone and it’s just a little after 8:00 p.m. I had to stay late to finish up a job, then I headed over to the grocery store. So I wasn’t sliding into bed at 7:00 p.m. with my alarm set for 3:00 a.m. like I planned.
I step up to the counter that runs along the back wall, with a small window to the kitchen, where they store the food.
One of the waitresses comes through the kitchen door with a plate in her hand. “I’ll be right with you,” she tells me, and I smile at her as I sit on one of the stools to wait. I pull up the text thread I have going with Collins. I sent her a couple of texts today, and she has yet to get back to me at all. I know I have to tread lightly with her. I know this entire situation is probably a lot for her to deal with right now.
“What can I get for you?” the waitress asks me, and I look up from my phone.
“I’ll have two cheeseburgers with bacon, and then can I have fries and a side of onion rings?”
“Sure thing.” She turns to put the order ticket onto the counter at the window.
The bell over the door rings, and I look over, spotting the guy who worked with Collins the other day. My eyes go straight over his shoulder as he holds open the door for the person behind him. My heart speeds up, and I smile, but instead of Collins, someone else comes in. They share a quick laugh as he walks up to the counter and nods at me.
“Hey,” I say to him, “you were the one who helped my cousin’s fiancée.”
“Sierra, right?” I nod. “How is she doing?”
“Going home tomorrow.” He smiles. “You switched partners.” I try not to make my interest too obvious.
“Yeah, Collins is sick today.” The minute he says the words, it feels like the blood has been drained from my body. The back of my neck gets hot, and I lift my hand to cup it. I don’t ask him another question because the waitress comes out and they place their order and go to sit in a booth to wait. Both of them take out their phones, and I open my own.
Me:
Hey, are you okay?
I wait. It says it was delivered, but there’s no response.
Me:
Just ran into your partner, said you called in sick. I’m coming that way. I’ll pick up food.
I tap the phone, willing her to answer me, but nothing happens. The ding of the bell on the counter rings, and I see the brown takeout bag. I stand up as the waitress comes back to hand me the bag and give me my total. I pay and head to my truck.
As soon as I start it up, I dial her number and put it on speakerphone. My heart is thumping in my chest so hard and strong that I can hardly see straight. It rings four times before it goes to voicemail.