Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 124451 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124451 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
At least now things can start to go back to normal. Well, mostly.
As long as Tanner’s mom will let me, I’ll be staying at her place. I haven’t seen or heard from my mom since she walked out of my hospital room nearly three weeks ago. Not even a quick text asking me if I was alright or checking up on how I’ve been healing.
I miss her, and fuck, I hate that I miss her. It makes me feel like I’m holding on to a piece of my childhood that doesn’t deserve to have me. She’s not the same woman I lived with in Hope Falls. She’s a stranger now, and what’s worse is that I don’t know if the mother I love and miss even exists anymore.
Tanner drives through the student parking lot of Bradford Private and reaches across to hold my hand, feeling the eyes of the whole student body already on us. I let out a shaky breath and drop my gaze to our joined hands. I don’t know why I feel so nervous about this. It’s been three weeks since I was at school, plenty of time for talk to die down. Besides, Riley and Ilaria told me that most of the talk centers around Tanner and Addison. While people know most of what happened, no one has heard the story directly from any of us. There are questions that haven’t been answered, and their curiosity must be killing them. I just know today is going to be hell, and it won’t stop until the masses get what they want. Though they’ll have to get used to disappointment, because this is something none of us will be sharing with the outside world anytime soon.
Tanner pulls his Mustang into his parking spot and cuts the engine before turning to me. “You sure you’re ready for this?” he questions, knowing just how bad it’s been. After all, he’s been in and out of school over the past few weeks, attending just enough to keep his spot on the team and not be benched for any of the games. Though to be fair, his coach knows most of everything that’s happened, and if he were to come down hard on Tanner for needing a day or two at home, I’d beat his ass into the next century.
“Not really,” I admit, looking up into those deep, dark eyes. “But I have to face it at some point. Besides, all I got was a little stab wound. I doubt anyone will even notice me when Addison will be walking the halls.”
Tanner’s lips press into a hard line, knowing just how right I am. This isn’t just Addison’s first day back after being stabbed, it’s her first day since Colby raped her months ago. Sure, there might be heat on me and Tanner today with questions flying left, right, and center, but it will be nothing compared to the speculation, rumors, and whispers Addison will have to face.
The very thought of what Addison will have to go through has me glancing out the window to Hudson’s car, watching as she climbs out of his passenger seat. There’s fear in her eyes, but there’s also a strong determination. Hell, if she can survive Colby, she can survive high school. She’s going to be okay. She’s got both Hudson and Tanner at her back. If someone even looks at her the wrong way, the boys will be there to protect her.
“Come on,” I tell him. “Let’s just get it over and done with.”
Tanner nods, and as we climb out of the Mustang, we find Arizona, Chanel, and Ilaria already making their way toward us. Arizona barrels into me, flinging her arms around my shoulders and locking me in her embrace. “How are you?” she questions, refusing to let me go. “Are you doing okay? Ilaria said you were healing really well, and I swear, I wanted to see you but I just … freaking Tanner. It’s all his fault. If he didn’t kidnap you and keep you holed up in his house for the past few weeks, I would have been able to see you.”
“What?” Tanner butts in. “How the hell is this my fault? If you wanted to see her, you could have. It’s not on me that you’re too chicken shit to be in the same room as Jax.”
Arizona’s hand whips out, poking Tanner hard in the ribs. “Mind ya business, asswipe.”
Tanner rolls his eyes and shakes his head before taking off toward the front gates of the school, leaving us to trail behind and continue our conversation in peace. “I’m fine,” I tell her, lifting the hem of my shirt and showing off my scar. “See, it’s barely even a scratch.”
Tanner scoffs up ahead, but luckily he decides to keep his comments to himself.