Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 117494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
“Because you don’t.”
“As if. I only care about you.”
“You only hurt me.”
“Not true. I just see the shitty situations you put yourself into and try to circumvent you, by putting myself there first. And look, it worked in so many ways. You didn’t work at the ice cream place. You would’ve hated working there.”
“I would’ve loved working there. I would’ve been working with my best friend. Aly worked there.”
“Oh. Right.” She frowned. “Aly and Harper. Those two never liked me.”
I cackled. “That cemented them as my two best friends. Because they hated you.”
Claudia rolled her eyes. “What are you doing here, Kali? For real. You’re not here for me, but if you are, I’m here, and I’m not leaving. So what now, my golden and saint-like sister?”
I stopped in my tracks, because she was right.
She did not sound like she wanted to leave. I could hear the finality in her tone, and I knew my sister. There was no talking her into anything. If Aly and Harper were here, I’d ask their input, but I could guarantee it would’ve been along the lines of getting her unconscious and kidnapping her, then hoping she wouldn’t wake until we were back in Indiana.
Maybe it was a good thing they weren’t here.
“Why are you so set on staying?” I asked. “For that Roadie guy?”
Claudia seemed to wither in front of me, and that was something I’d never seen.
Well, one time, when she’d come home from a date with a popular senior. She’d never talked about what happened with him, and I never saw her with him again.
“Claude?” My voice dropped low. I didn’t know how to handle her like this.
She shook her head, as if to clear it. “I’m not staying for him. He’s like all the others. I’m staying for Machete.”
“Machete?” I didn’t want to know why he had that name.
“He’s a good one. You’d approve of him.”
I frowned. “You’re his old lady?”
“Maybe. I think so.” She shrugged. “I hope so. It means something here.” She eyed me. “I hear you’re Shane’s old lady?”
Now my claws were out. “I’m not, but that’s none of your business.”
She laughed. “You keep doing what you do best, my sister. You keep lying to yourself.” She went to the door. “Thanks for this chat. I’ve gotten what I needed out of it.” She stopped and studied me for a moment. “Do yourself a favor this time? Shane’s a Red. They’ve got girls who let them do trains on them. And they all join in—or most of them. If you couldn’t handle Foley, you really can’t handle Shane. Ghost. He’s the biggest head honcho here, and they like their power structure. The fact you’re still here means he’s snuck in and started to dig deep in you. Don’t let him in anymore, not even an inch. Foley made you like this, but Ghost will finish the job. You can’t handle this life. Get out while you can. They ain’t here. This is your best shot at running, but I’m not going. I’ve got the one guy that’s not a piece of shit. Give Mom and Connor my best. I ain’t ever going back.”
Then my sister, the lovely peach she was, left, and I stood there, going over her words.
“Get out while you can. They ain’t here. This is your best shot at running…”
I rolled my eyes.
I knew my sister.
If Claudia was telling me to go, I sure as hell wasn’t going to.
Me: Updating! I’m still with Shane. Found Claudia. She’s not going anywhere.
Aly: Good Lord, she’ll never change. On the upside, Harper and I have had a divine Saturday. We golfed this morning. (And sucked.) Had a delicious brunch at the country club here. This afternoon was spent at the spa and tonight, Harper has no clue but Justin is flying in. I am planning on spending the evening at Manny’s. Bring on some more Brandon and that regular guy. I didn’t catch his name last night, but I did meet Roy. He seems like a great kid… if he’s a kid. Who knows at this point.
Aly: Are you seriously okay, though? Please tell us if you aren’t.
Me: I am. Promise. Right now I’m pissed at Claudia, so all is normal.
Aly: Call us if you need backup. Harper will probably bring a pitchfork intended for me (cause I’m the one getting Justin here), but he might take his aggression out on your sister. You know how we both feel about her. Good old Claudia.
Me: Yeah. Good old Claudia. Start stretching to evade and dodge the pitchfork. Harper is fast.
Harper: You both suck! THIS IS A GROUP CHAT, DID YOU BOTH FORGET?
Harper: Stay safe, K. Share your location with us plz. Aly, start stretching. Start. Stretching.
Me: Dad. I owe you a phone call. Here’s my initial apology before the real groveling happens. Give me a few days. I’m on Claudia duty right now.