Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 129986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
I did expect Janie to understand that.
If circumstances were different and things were how they used to be, I wouldn’t have fought going to the hospital after nearly drowning, but they’re not. Nothing is how it used to be, and I could not afford to waste this weekend.
They didn’t give me a choice, though.
I glared at the cliffside mansion and the asshole who lives in it—even though I knew he couldn’t see me—as they loaded me into the back of the ambulance and drove me away.
I missed a shift at work I couldn’t afford to miss.
Josie from next door had to bring Mom to the hospital when I finally called her the next morning. I didn’t even want Mom to know what had happened, I hoped I could be in and out of the hospital in a few hours and just sneak in before she woke up.
That didn’t happen. I told her not to come to the hospital, but she insisted. At least they brought my backpack so I could get my homework out of the way, but Mom couldn’t stay. Her immune system is severely compromised at this point. Catching a cold would hospitalize her, anything more severe than that would kill her.
I told her to go home and not to come back even though it killed me not to spend the time with her as we had planned. Josie checked in on her, but I should have been there.
The time is gone and can’t be brought back, and all because I went to a stupid party I didn’t want to go to in the first place.
The whole experience cemented my decision to be done with Janie, at least for the time being. After high school, we’ll probably go down different paths, anyway, so I doubt we’ll reconnect, but some relationships aren’t meant to last. I don’t have time to be friends with Janie right now, and I’m not going to take risks like the one I took the other night. It just isn’t worth it.
My Monday is better spent with Mom than at school, anyway.
The day goes pretty well. We sleep in, then have brunch on the back patio. Josie gives me a ride over to the Daringtons’ mansion to pick up my car. I go during school hours so I know I won’t have to see Dare while I’m there.
Originally, I was going to try to pick up a shift tonight to make up for the one I missed over the weekend, but as much as I need the money, I decided not to. We already lost the weekend together. Yeah, I’m on the fast track to maxing out all our credit cards since Mom has no income, and mine is just part-time, but I have the rest of my life to work on paying that back. At the end of the day, will going to work tonight make enough of a difference to justify losing that night with Mom?
The answer’s no. Of course it is.
The doorbell rings around 4 o’clock. It’s a little earlier than I expect. I made a grocery order to be delivered around 5 since grocery shopping is another thing I don’t have time for. I paid for everything—including the tip—on the app, so I don’t grab my phone or anything, I just head for the door. The delivery people are supposed to leave our bags on the porch and go, so I don’t expect to find anyone on the other side.
But when the door swings open, there is a person standing on the other side.
A tall, troublingly handsome person with dark hair and a jaw that could cut glass. His cool, deep brown eyes meet mine and my stomach drops, memories of the other night flashing back to me.
Me underwater, struggling to get back to the surface.
Him diving in after me, grabbing me, and dragging me to safety.
Saving my life.
He’s an ass, but he did save my life. Of course, I’m grateful to him for that.
That’s the only reason I don’t shut the door in his smug face immediately.
Without even trying to hide it, his gaze rakes over my body. Mom and I were staying in today, so I’m wearing a pair of activewear Capri leggings and a plain purple T-shirt. His gaze lingers on my legs, then drifts to my boobs.
A shiver runs down my spine. Maybe he notices because a smile teases the corner of his mouth when our eyes finally meet.
“What are you doing here?” I ask without a hello.
“Making sure you’re alive.” His tone is light and playful despite his words echoing the assholey sentiments he expressed the other night.
I prop a hand on my hip and cock an eyebrow. “How gallant.”
“Isn’t it? I rode my steed over and everything.” He glances past me into the house.
On instinct, I move closer to the doorframe and pull the door closed a bit to block his gaze. “As you can see, I’m alive and well.”