Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 89608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“Fuck you.”
“Don’t tempt me, baby. I’d never turn down a good fuck with you—”
I raise my hand to slap him, but the glass entrance door opens, and Rachel sticks her head out. “Excuse me. Sorry to interrupt.” Noah releases my arm, losing his nasty snarl.
“No problem.” He gives me one last glare before plastering on a smile and turning to Rachel. “What’s up, Rach?”
“Your father called. He wanted to make sure Miss Price made it back okay.”
Noah looks back at me, an accusing scowl on his face. “Tell him his pet made it back in one piece,” he mutters, shoving past me, his shoulder jarring mine. He flings open the door to the stairwell and takes off down the stairs.
“Asshole,” I cuss under my breath. Noah’s car is gone. He left me to fend for myself to get a ride home. I shake my head and pull out my phone, searching for my ride app. I text Noah while I wait.
Me: You’re a real prick. Just proves I made the right decision.
Three little dots come across my screen and then disappear. “Ugh!” How the hell did it take so long for me to realize what an absolute dick he is? Oh, right, mind-blowing sex had me seeing rainbows instead of red flags.
Well, no more.
My Uber finally arrives, and I climb in, hitting the first person in my saved Favorites.
“Oh, wow, my big sister didn’t forget about me after all.”
It’s been days since I last spoke to my little sister. Guilt presses heavy on my chest. I hate that I let this much time pass. It’s not like me, but the past couple of days have been consuming.
“Lettie, you know I’d never forget about you.”
I hate that I’m here while she’s stuck there—under the same roof as a monster.
Going off to college was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, knowing I was walking away and leaving her behind. There were nights I almost packed my bags, ready to throw it all away just to be close enough to protect her. But I knew I couldn’t. I had to get out—I had to build a way out for both of us.
Even taking the internship weighed on me, knowing she’d be alone all summer as well. But I have a plan. Once she finishes high school, I’m going to get her as far away from him as possible. Assuming Bill doesn’t get his hands on her college funds too.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m kidding. How’s Chicago? How’s the internship? How’s Noah?”
“It’s all really good,” I lie. The last thing I need is for her to worry about me. I’m the older sister. I'm supposed to be the one worrying. “I really like the job so far.”
“And Noah? You two good?”
I should have never mentioned in our last conversation that I was unhappy with him. “Yeah. We’re fine. The same stuff.”
“Georgie, you don’t have to stay there if you don’t want to.”
I do. I refuse to be near Bill. It kills me that my sister has to deal with him on her own, but he’s never touched a hair on her head. It’s the only reason I can justify it. If that changes, it will be a different story.
“If he’s being a jerk, come home. Better yet, let me come there so I can kick his balls in.”
“Lettie! Language. Honestly, everything’s fine,” I say, forcing a steady tone. “With the money I’ll earn over the summer, I’ll be able to pay off a significant portion of my loans and breathe a little easier.”
“Ugh, I hate that Mom isn’t helping you. I told you, you can use the money Mom and Dad put away for my—”
“Not a chance,” I cut in firmly. “That money’s for you.”
“But, George—”
“No buts. You’re going to college, Lettie.” My ride pulls up to the Blake estate. “Listen, I gotta go. I wanted to call to make sure everything’s good—that you’re good.”
I hold my breath, waiting, listening for any indication that something is off.
“I’m good. Don’t worry about me.”
“Call you this weekend?”
“Yeah. Love you, Georgie.”
“Love you too, Lettie.”
I hang up, my chest tightening even more. Our call was supposed to make me feel better, but it had the opposite effect. I check in on Lettie every chance I get, terrified that one day she won’t pick up. Or worse, that she will, and I’ll hear something in her voice that tells me he’s finally turned his rage on her. Bill has never dared to lay a hand on her like he did my mom and me. If I ever get wind he’s touched a single hair on her head, I swear to God, I’ll kill him myself.
I step out of the Uber, my gaze flicking to Noah’s car parked beside me. The urge to drag a key down the side of it flares, but I shove it down and force myself to head inside. The house is quiet—too quiet. Not wanting to run into Noah, I move quickly, grabbing a water bottle and a banana from the kitchen, and slip up the stairs, shutting myself in my room.