Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“I meant idiots as an endearment too,” I say with a shrug.
“Sure you did.” Easton snorts, and we all start laughing.
I’m still giggling when one of the nurses comes by to bring me a blanket. “Thank you,” I tell her as she tucks me in.
“Of course, let me know if you need anything else,” she offers with a genuine smile before heading back to the nurses’ station.
I cuddle into the blanket and let my head fall back into the cushion.
“You look cozy,” Preston says.
“They do try to make us as comfortable as possible here. It’s nice.”
“They’d better for what you are paying them,” Easton says under his breath, and I shoot him a warning look.
Not wanting to bring up my finances again, I opt for a different subject. “How is your sister doing?”
“Trying to avoid us, as always,” Easton says.
“Probably doing something she isn’t supposed to as we speak,” Preston adds.
“Oh no, why is she avoiding you?” I ask curiously.
“Because she knows she is in trouble. She is still hanging around with people who are friends with Brody. She goes to parties she has no business going to and does who knows what behind our backs,” Easton explains.
“What about your parents? Can’t they talk some sense into her?” My question seems innocent enough, but both of the guys’ mood darkens when I mention their parents.
“Our dad doesn’t really care what we do as long as it doesn’t tarnish his image,” Preston explains.
“And our mother can’t stay sober long enough to care,” Easton adds.
“That really sucks,” I offer, not really sure what else to say. I always imagined them having the perfect life; at least it looked like that from the outside. I guess I was wrong to assume.
“Visiting your house is a nice change from ours. Your grandma really loves you, and she would do anything to make you happy. It’s nice to be in such a homey environment,” Preston confesses, making me feel even more guilty.
“I don’t remember the last time we all sat and ate dinner together… Christmas, I think,” Easton says, his gaze going unfocused, as if he is recalling a memory.
“Well, you can come to dinner at my house anytime,” I invite them.
“Be careful, pearls.” Preston warns playfully. “We’ll be at your place every night if you let us.”
The thought of having them with me every day is oddly comforting.
Oh, how everything has changed.
A few weeks ago, I could not stand to be around them and now I’m looking forward to spending time with them constantly. It’s scary and exciting but, most of all, I feel happy about the future. A future with them, if you can believe it. I hardly can.
For a long time, my future involved nothing but treatments and making it through school. Now I actually have something to look forward to. And unbelievably, that something is Easton and Preston.
We spend the rest of my session talking about school and what we want to do when we finish. The twins are not sure what they want to do, but they know they don’t want to work for anyone but themselves. I also can’t imagine them taking orders from some boss.
“I want to be a teacher,” I confess. “Elementary school age would be preferred. I like working with little kids.” When I was thirteen, I used to babysit my neighbor’s five-year-old, and I had the best time doing so.
“I think you would be a great teacher,” Preston encourages me. “I can see a bunch of googly-eyed first graders following you like lost puppies.”
The thought makes me smile, because I can see that too. I can also see the twins picking me up from work, asking me how my day went. We would go home together and eat dinner with Grandma. Excitement about the future and a sense of peace settling over me.
I’m still filled with joy about my fantasy of the future when the nurse comes to my seat and starts to unhook my port. “That’s it for the day, Emma. How are you feeling?”
“Fine,” I offer with a smile. “Thank you.”
“Don’t forget the doctor wanted to see you after treatment today,” the nurse reminds me while she pulls my sleeve back over my port.
“Oh yes, that’s right. I almost forgot.” I look back and forth between the twins. “Do you mind waiting for me here?”
“Not at all,” Preston says first.
“Take your time. We’ll be here to take you home after,” Easton promises.
I nod before I kick the blanket off and climb out of my chair. Preston takes my hand and helps me to my feet.
“I’ll be right back,” I say before I make my way to Dr. Pearson’s office, which is just down the hall. I knock on the door, and he calls for me to come in.
“Hello, Emma,” he greets me with a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Please, have a seat.” He points at the chair in front of his desk.