Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
She seemed genuine.
Honest.
Blunt.
I appreciated that.
After we finished shopping and carried the supplies into the house, I turned to her in the kitchen, stuttering, “How are you… I mean… we… going to—”
“How about you keep him out of the house until around seven, and then everyone can scream ‘Happy birthday’ when you guys walk in, and I’ll take care of the rest. I’m so excited to make this happen for Kraven. It’s the big one-eight, and I want to make it the most special it can be.”
“Alright…”
“You know what?” She grabbed my hands. “I can see that you're nervous. How about we don’t tell them you helped me? That way, when you show up, just act shocked.”
My eyebrows pinched together. “Really?”
She squeezed my hands. “I remember when Joe and I started dating, his mother was such a bitch to me, and I promised myself I’d never be like that. You’re my girl now…” she coaxed. “This can be our little secret. The beginning of many.”
“Melody—”
“What the fuck?” Julius roared, unexpectedly walking into the kitchen with Kraven not far behind him.
They were both glaring at her.
He wasn’t supposed to be home yet, and Kraven was never there.
Shit… how much did they hear?
“What do you think you’re doing?” Julius angrily questioned, standing right in front of her. “You’re trying to turn Isla against us now?”
I shook my head. “That’s not what’s—”
In three long strides, he was in my face. “What the hell are you doing with her? Why did you let her in?”
I stumbled to find my words.
“Isla, answer my questions before I lose my shit—”
“Before?” I interrupted, unable to hold back.
“Are you seriously going to stand there and defend her?”
“Julius.” Melody stood beside me. “It’s not her fault, please—”
“What. Are. You. Doing. With. Her?” He accentuated each word, downright furious.
“Julius, calm down,” Kraven demanded, grabbing his arm. “You know how Melody is.” His stare shifted to hers. “Mommy Dearest knows how to play the role.”
“Kraven,” she persuaded. “I just want to throw you a birthday party. That’s not too much to ask.”
“You shouldn’t be asking for anything!” Julius fumed.
“This isn’t helping,” I intervened with my hands in the air. “You both need to calm down, or nothing will get solved.”
Kraven’s eyes turned to me, and he snapped, “You’re taking her side?”
“What?” I shook my head again. “No! Of course not!”
We all stood there for what felt like hours, struggling to gather our thoughts. This huge elephant in the room engulfed us. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.
I bit my tongue, fighting with everything inside me not to tell him how I really felt about the whole situation. They would hate me. This was the first time that it was me versus them, and I didn’t like it one bit. It wasn’t supposed to be this way.
Not with us.
Either of them.
This wasn’t a good idea, and I should have known better. I hated feeling defeated, knowing I’d be responsible for whatever consequences would come from this. The questions running through my mind were infinite. I couldn’t stop them. None of us could.
Did I ruin what was building between us?
I couldn’t control the situation or the outcome, and that was the hardest part of all of this.
I sighed, inhaling a long, deep breath. I didn’t want to lie to them. It seemed as though I didn’t have a choice in the matter.
So I told half the truth. “It’s your eighteenth birthday, Kraven. It should be celebrated. Even if Melody is the one throwing it.”
The realization came to them.
Julius asked what they were both thinking, “Are you saying you think we should let her—”
“What if I was?”
Kraven berated, “Yeah, well, that’s not your choice to make.”
I bit my bottom lip, contemplating how to respond.
My emotions were getting the best of me. I stressed, “I’m sorry, I’m just trying to help both of you.”
Melody disclosed, “I can’t tell you how to live your lives. All I’m asking is to be able to throw a birthday party for you, Kraven. After that…” She paused for a second before promising, “If you don’t ever want to see me again, either of you, I’ll leave, I promise. It’ll be like I was never here.”
Julius and Kraven locked eyes until Kraven announced, “If that’s what it will take to make you leave, fine. Do what you need to clear your little conscience. At the end of the day, your feelings are the only ones that have ever mattered.”
He abruptly left after that, leaving the three of us alone.
Melody backed away, knowing this was the only window she’d receive and needed to leave before Julius slammed it shut, throwing away the key. She kissed the air and walked out the garage door with a huge smile on her face, probably thinking this was the beginning of fixing their relationships.