Total pages in book: 177
Estimated words: 163387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 817(@200wpm)___ 654(@250wpm)___ 545(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 163387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 817(@200wpm)___ 654(@250wpm)___ 545(@300wpm)
"You okay, Cody?"
"Of course, are you?" It wasn't easy lying to her or keeping anything from showing, but I knew I had to keep it hidden not only from her but from everyone else in the room. Because I've made up my mind, and I'm not done getting blood on my hands.
LISA
I can’t believe I just spent the last few hours laughing, playing games, and having a good time just a short while after I was certain my end was near. It’s a serious juxtaposition those dueling emotions, and I’m sure I owe it all to Cody, though I’m still not quite certain how he did it, how he got me over that debilitating fear so effortlessly.
He hadn’t left my side all evening for one, not since we left the room, and somehow no one had mentioned what happened beyond the first few minutes when everyone wanted to make sure that I was okay. No one dwelled on it, for which I was extremely grateful because it was only after the dust had settled that I appreciated just how dangerous the situation had been.
Something else I’m grateful for is the fact that my phone hasn’t been ringing off the hook. I’d begged Jess not to tell my family, to let me have this one so I could at least enjoy one night in my new apartment before they snatched me and locked me away somewhere for the rest of my natural life. It appears that she had taken pity on me and not called in the troops. Now I’m thinking back on the whole experience and wondering what the hell got into that idiot’s head.
Nothing he did or said made any sense then, and it still doesn’t now that I’ve had time to mull things over. He spoke as if we were in a relationship, and I was somehow betraying him with Cody. His ramblings were so disjointed I’d had a hard time keeping up. That, added to the genuine fear I felt, left me feeling listless, like I was missing something, but what?
“Here, baby, have this. I called mom, and she said this was a good calming tea.”
“You told your mom?” I felt real panic at the thought since she and mom had become so close. Who knows what she’d say to overturn my carefully crafted apple cart?
“No, I just told her you were a bit tired from studying and everything else that’s been going on.”
“Oh. What is it?” I sniffed the steam and inhaled the scent of chamomile.
“Where did you get this?” I took my first sip and smiled.
“I ordered it to be delivered. Now stop questioning me and drink it while it’s hot. Come.” He climbed into bed beside me and wrapped his arm around me, bringing me in close until I rested against him with the cup in my hand. The tea hit the spot, and having him this close helped a lot as well. Though I was no longer terrified, I still felt a bit raw.
“You’re okay now, right baby? You’re not lying to me?” He kissed my hair the way he had the last ten times he’d asked the same question.
“I’m fine, thank you.” I’m even better now that I know how you’d react in a crisis. I must’ve thanked him a thousand times for getting here when he did, but I plan to show my appreciation much better as soon as the lights go out.
“Cody!” I don’t recall hitting my head or receiving any kind of injury, but suddenly my head felt very odd, and my eyes wouldn’t stay open.
“Yes, baby!” He took the almost empty cup from my hand before it fell and got me settled into bed against his chest. “Umm, this feels so good!”
CODY
The next few words from her were slurred, and I waited while holding my breath until she passed out. I eased her off my chest and onto her pillow before pulling the covers up over her and sliding out of bed. Moving as quietly as I could, I pulled my shirt off over my head while toeing off my shoes as I walked into the closet to find something else to wear.
I hadn’t even had the chance to admire the efficiency of her mom or her mom’s assistant. Everything was unpacked and either hanging or folded neatly in drawers that made no sound when you pulled them. I’m not sure, but the furniture in this place looks like it cost a couple mints, and for a building that’s been around a while, everything from the ceiling to the walls looks new. The place also looks like something you’d find on the pages of a magazine, but none of that can erase the fact that her first night in her first apartment had been marred with violence.
I slipped on a long-sleeved thermal Henley followed by a sweatshirt and the matching pair of sweats before pulling a baseball cap down over my head as I walked back into the bedroom. She was out cold when I sat on the bed next to her to brush her hair back with my palm. I lost count of how many times I’ve said thanks for keeping her safe.