Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 29520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 148(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 148(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
I yawn loudly while snuggling back against a pillow. “Last night was fun, but it’s not like I’ll ever see either of them again. Those cowboys were just passing through and I didn’t even get a last name,” I say with a shrug. “Besides, it’s not like I’ll be calling Lake Puckett home for much longer myself.”
Bess shoots me an empathetic look. “I’m glad you had a small bit of fun before you left at least.”
I snort with disdain. “Yeah, but this whole situation sucks, Bessie. I’m not a bad person. I know I’ve made mistakes but it’s not like I’m the only teenager in the world to screw things up.” I rub my eyes, feeling a fresh batch of tears at the ready. I’m not normally so emotional, but something about my impending move to the reform school feels so final.
Bess takes my free hand between hers. “You’re going to be okay, Juniper. And we’ll write to each other. It’ll be like just like in the old days, with pen to paper. Speaking of,” Bess hops off the bed quickly and walks to her closet. She retrieves a small wrapped box and sits beside me on the bed once more.
“It’s not much, but I thought you might like this at your new school.” Bess smiles, always a gentle and generous friend. “You can do it, Junie!”
Touched, I take the box from her, rubbing my hand across the brightly colored lid that resembles splashed paint. I open the hinge and gasp at the gorgeous stationary inside.
“It’s perfect, Bess, thank you.” I hug my friend tightly, overwhelmed by her thoughtful parting gift and the fact that all too soon, I’ll be leaving my entire life behind me.
“Now, tell me about those guys!” she demands, and with a series of giggles, we fall against the pillows and gossip the morning away.
Later that afternoon, I’m back at my own house, wrapping up some final loads of laundry and contemplating my future. Again, this situation sucks. Yes, I set fire to that girl’s locker but it’s only because she asked me to. Why can’t people understand that? Life is so unfair.
But even though the injustice stings, my mind turns once again to last night’s wild events.
Holy smokes. Stanton and Shane were sexy, sure, but more than that the two men exuded power, control and mystery. I’m not usually so wanton with my body, but something about the twins made me feel compelled to give myself to them, strangers or not. It was a deep and immediately intimate connection – something I’ve never felt with a man before.
I plop onto my bed and reminisce about their matching black hair and sharp, blue eyes. I feel my breath catch as I remember their strong hands on my body, and their hard members deep inside of me, owning both holes. My eyes flutter open, my entire body suddenly aroused by the mere thought of their possession.
I don’t regret my wild night with the twins one bit, and if my current arousal is any indication, I’d probably meet them in that back alley again tonight if they were around. I flip over onto my back so that I’m staring at my ceiling, feeling all tingly inside.
Just my luck that I’d meet two hunks right before I leave, I think ruefully. What awful timing.
I let my eyes wander toward my half-packed duffel bag, scattered toiletries, and small stack of personal items that I’m allowed to bring to the ranch. Do I wish I hadn’t been so dumb as to get myself shipped off to reform school? Absolutely. But at the same time, I know that I’m going to have to make the most of an absolutely heinous situation. Sighing, I sit up to continue packing, feeling like I’m headed into a terrifying unknown.
Before I know it, my last week has passed in a blur. I say another tearful goodbye to Bess with promises to write when I can, and there’s a dramatic farewell with my parents at the airport.
“Oh Juniper,” my mom hugs my neck fiercely, her tears hot on my skin. “Call us whenever you can.”
My dad, usually stoic, looks miserable. “We just want the best for you kiddo,” he says gruffly. “You know that.”
I purse my lips and nod, still angry with my parents for forcing me to go to this place, but fully aware that it’s too late to do anything about it now.
“You have money for the airport?” my mom asks fretfully as she takes stock of my bags. “I know it’s a short flight, but you might be hungry.”
I nod. “I’ve got some cash,” I reassure her. My mother pulls me into her arms for one final hug.
Once I’m on the plane, I gaze out the window at the Wyoming landscape below. I take in all of the beautiful colors and wild acreage, and find myself wondering how I’m going to make it through the next year. I know next to nothing about the Lazy R Ranch, except that it’s a place where I’m supposedly going to learn something about myself in order to ‘grow up.’ As if.