Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
I have never kept any secrets from Rachel except for two. She has no idea about the abuse I suffered at Trent’s hands or the feelings I have for Easton.
She’ll be so disappointed to hear that after I got away from John, my first abusive boyfriend, I ended up with another bastard.
God, I sure know how to pick them.
After my past relationships that were so violent, I’m now jumpy around men. I don’t think I’ll ever date again. Just the thought of being alone with a man is enough to make panic grip my heart.
All the thoughts make me tremble, and I hope Rachel doesn’t notice while we walk back into the mansion. Again I feel intimidated by all the luxury and wealth. It’s like I’ve stepped into a different world where nothing makes sense.
As I follow Rachel up a staircase that has a cast-iron railing on the left side, I notice framed photos on the wall to my right. I glance over them, and seeing Easton in the photos reminds me who he is and that he’s coming home.
“So . . .” I clear my throat as we reach the landing and begin to walk down the hallway. “Um . . . Easton.”
Stopping by the first room on the right, Rachel looks at me with an arched brow. When she pushes the door open, she asks, “What about him?”
We step into a bedroom that robs me of my train of thought.
“Holy crap,” I whisper, gaping at the king-size bed with cream silk covers and pillows.
There’s a modern dressing table that has light bulbs all around the frame of the mirror, and to my left stands a five-tier shelf decorated with expensive-looking ornaments and two plants.
Moving forward, I avoid the fluffy cream carpet, not wanting to track dirt on it.
To my right is a walk-in closet that’s as big as the bedroom I shared with Trent.
The instant I think of the bastard, the panic and fear I’ve grown too accustomed to feeling tighten my insides.
Don’t think of him.
My own problems will have to take a back seat to what’s happening with Rachel.
“You have your own bathroom, and I’ve made sure it’s stocked with everything you might need,” Rachel says as she opens a door to my left.
I peek into the massive bathroom that looks like the ones I’ve seen in travel magazines when they showcase five-star hotels and resorts.
Not knowing what else to say, I murmur, “Thank you.”
She glances at my single piece of luggage. “We’ll go shopping soon for more clothes. My treat. It’s the least I can do for dragging you all the way to LA on such short notice.”
My hand flies up, and I wave it in a don’t-worry-about-it manner. “It’s fine. I don’t need anything.”
She lets out a sad-sounding chuckle. “You’ll have to get used to shopping because it’s one of Lainey’s favorite things to do.”
I set my luggage down near the foot of the bed and glance around the lavish room again.
“I’ll keep you company while you unpack,” she says, sitting down in an armchair near the window. “What did you want to say about Easton?”
“Oh . . .” Not wanting to put my luggage on the pristine white covers, I lay the bag on the floor and open it. “Will he be okay with me being here?”
“Of course.” A slight frown forms on her forehead.
I place my handbag beside my luggage before removing two dresses. Walking to the closet, I admit, “I’m just going to be straight with you. He’s a famous actor, and I don’t know what to do when I see him again.”
A burst of laughter escapes Rachel, and getting up, she walks to my open bag and grabs a sweater before coming toward me. “He’s still the Easton you knew back when we were in school.”
“I doubt that,” I mutter. I hang the two dresses, then glance at her as she places the threadbare sweater down on a shelf.
She gives me a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about Easton.”
Easier said than done.
Not knowing how to explain that I’m super nervous about seeing him, I let the subject go.
While we continue to unpack, I hear my cell phone beep like crazy with incoming messages. The sound instantly sends a wave of apprehension crashing through me, tensing every muscle in my body.
It’s probably Trent who’s noticed I’m gone. Crap, he must be so angry.
I stare at where my bag is on the floor, thinking how badly he’ll beat me for running away like this.
“Aren’t you going to check your phone?”
Ripped out of my thoughts, I quickly shake my head. “It can wait until later.”
Trent isn’t here, and he doesn’t know where I am.
I’m safe with Rachel.
Deep breaths.
“So, things are over between you and Trent?” Rachel asks. Staring at me, her eyebrows narrow. “What happened?”
With trembling hands, I place a small stack of leggings on one of the shelves.