Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 54520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Linc.
I spin around just as he slides out from around the corner.
Finch halts mid-step, his arrogance faltering for the first time.
Linc moves in next to me, his warmth solid at my side. “You okay?” His gentle tone is a stark contrast to the rage behind in his eyes.
I nod, even though it’s a complete lie.
“This is a family matter,” Finch says, grasping for control. “So, if you don’t mind—”
Linc doesn’t move an inch, his smirk is deadly, tone wrapped in steel. “I’m not going anywhere. And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep your distance, otherwise you’re going to find yourself in the emergency room instead of that altar.”
The promise cracks through the air like a loaded trigger.
“Now, let’s all settle down,” my father interjects, desperate to calm the storm. “If Hattie wants to go through with this, then we need to respect that.”
My jaw drops. “And forget everything I just told you?”
“Maybe you misunderstood what you saw,” my mother says, her tone soft, meant to soothe but only coming off as patronizing.
“He was fucking her in broad daylight, Mother,” I snap. “There was no misunderstanding.”
“Enough,” she bites back, pulling Hattie against her as she sobs. “You’re only making this harder on your sister.”
“Yeah, I’m the one hurting her.” The laugh that slips out is humorless, brittle and broken. “I knew coming here was a mistake. I’ve never belonged in this family, and this just proves it.”
“Don’t say that,” my mother blurts, emotion breaking through for the first time. “We love you, Harlow, but now is not the time for this. This is Hattie’s day. We can talk about it later.”
I shake my head. “No, we can’t, because I’m not going to be here. I’m not sticking around for this shit.”
My father starts to protest, but Finch cuts him off.
“I actually think that’s for the best.”
“Stop it, Finch,” Hattie warns, but he barrels on.
“In fact, I don’t think you should come around anymore at all. Not if you’re going to hurt Hattie like this.”
I don’t have to react because Linc does.
“And I think you should’ve gotten your ass beat a long time ago.”
He pushes forward, his fist colliding with Finch’s jaw in a brutal crack that echoes down the hall.
Finch stumbles back, crashing to the marble floor.
Chaos erupts—my mother gasping into her hands, Hattie screaming, the maid of honor frozen between bolting and helping, while my father rushes to Finch’s side. All while their own daughter stands on the outside looking in.
“Come on.” Linc takes my hand, warm and steady. “Let’s get the fuck out of here.”
I don’t think twice about following him, leaving them all behind.
It shouldn’t hurt this much. I should be numb by now, but the truth is, a part of me really wanted that new beginning. Now that dream lies in ruins behind me, with the rest of my family.
The storm hit out of nowhere. Thunder cracks, lightning tearing across the sky like it’s just as pissed as I am, a perfect reflection of this whole shitastic day.
Flights have been grounded, every hotel’s booked solid thanks to some convention, and the one place I do manage to find is a rundown motel with a single room left. Two beds this time, but the irony still stings.
Though, nothing hits harder than the girl beside me. Harlow hasn’t said a word since we left, she made it clear she doesn’t want to talk, and I’m not about to push. She looks one breath away from breaking down or tearing someone’s head off. I’d rather not be on the receiving end of either one.
Can’t say I blame her, though. I’m pissed too, and they’re not even my family. The only thing dulling the edge is the ache in my knuckles from putting Finchy Boy on his ass.
That relief is short lived once we arrive at the motel. The outside is even more rundown than the pictures showed, our only option for food is either a vending machine or the bar across the street that looks seedier than this place. And because the universe apparently has fucking jokes tonight, we’re given room…wait for it…sixty-nine.
If I had it in me to laugh, I would.
Rain hammers down in sheets as we haul our bags across the slick pavement, water dripping off us by the time I jam the key into the lock and push the door open. Inside, beige walls, a scuffed dresser, two double beds, and a questionable stain on the ceiling wait for us. Other than that, it’s relatively clean, and quiet. So, I’ll take it.
Harlow, not so much. She storms in ahead of me, yanking her bag until it snags on the dresser. Before I can warn her, the wheel jerks, handle ripping from her grasp, nearly tripping her, and that’s it. She finally unravels.
“Goddamn it!” She kicks the suitcase, clothes bursting free as she unleashes every curse in the book. “Stupid piece of shit!”