Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“Enough!” he shouts.
I cross my arms over my chest and smirk at him.
“Again, what we do is none of your business,” he says in an annoyed tone.
My phone vibrates, and I look down at it to see a message from Lucy.
Lucy: I’m lonely. Come over and fuck me.
I type back a response.
Me: Can’t. Out of town.
It vibrates immediately with a sad face. I lock the screen and place it back down on the table.
“I want you to go to rehab,” Bones states.
I snort. “Stay out of my life, and I’ll stay out of yours.”
“Grave.” He sighs and looks at me. His dark blue eyes look exhausted. My brother runs too much and rarely sleeps. “I made Mom a promise.”
I throw my head back and laugh, my chest shaking. “And you’re deciding now that you want to honor it? She’s been dead for eight years, Dillan.”
“Goddammit, Grave,” he growls softly, shaking his head. “I’m trying here.”
“No, Dad is dead, so now you’re going to try to take over that role.” The truth is, he has always been more of a dad to me than our father ever was. And I owe him everything for that, but I can’t change who I am. I don’t want to change who I am.
“I can’t do this again,” he whispers.
“Do what?” I look around for Nicki. Where the fuck did she go? I told her to keep them coming when I boarded his plane. “Act like you care?”
“Of course, I care.” He slams his fist down on the table. “We buried our mother, Kyle. Now Dad …” He sighs. “Is it so awful that I don’t want to bury you too?”
I swallow the lump in my throat and avert my eyes.
“I know what you think.” He fills the awkward silence. “That Mom’s death didn’t affect me, but it did.”
I lift my eyes to look at him, and he’s staring out his window.
“I did what I had to do for you. You needed me more than ever after she passed. And I’m sorry if I did a shitty job.”
Just then, Nicki comes up to our seats and hands me another drink. I take it from her hand and say the only thing I can think to say. “It’s too late to make up for lost time.” Standing from my seat, I make my way to the back of the plane. I open the bathroom door, and slam it shut, locking him out. I dig into my pocket and pull out the pill bottle that I got from Luca yesterday when Cross and I went up to Glass. I pop the lid and wash two pills down with my new drink.
I can’t handle this flight with my brother sober. Especially if he’s going to bring up our past.
APRIL
I stand in the middle of a grand foyer in a black cocktail dress with a glass of champagne in one hand and my clutch in the other. “How long are we going to be here?” I ask Alexa.
“I just wanted to make an appearance. I promised her we would come,” she whispers.
“Who?” I ask before taking another sip of my drink.
“Alexa,” a woman calls out, coming toward us. She wears a white one-shoulder dress that comes midthigh. It has to be designer and cost a small fortune. Her red hair is cut short and parted to the side, tucked behind her ear. She raises her arms, opening them to welcome Alexa in for a hug. “I’m so glad you made it.”
Alexa hugs her and then pulls away. “Of course.” She steps to the side and gestures to me. “April, this is Jasmine. Jasmine, this is my best friend, April.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” She surprises me by pulling me in for a hug.
“You too,” I say when we separate. “How do you two know each other?” I ask.
“Oh, Jasmine knows everyone,” a woman says, joining the conversation. She wears a turquoise minidress, showing off a set of long legs. It dips down low in the front, and she wears a black choker around her neck. Her dark hair is down in big waves. “Hi.” She reaches out her right hand, and I don’t miss the huge rock that covers her ring finger on her left hand that holds her champagne flute. “I’m Emilee.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m April.”
“It’s true.” Jasmine nods once. “I do know everyone. It’s because I’m so relatable.”
Emilee snorts, making Alexa laugh.
“So what’s the occasion?” I wonder.
“I just bought the place.” Jasmine smiles, holding her hands out wide. “Thought I’d have a party to break it in.”
I nod. “Well, it’s a gorgeous place.” It’s an understatement. The house is a fucking mansion with all the amenities that make places like this worth millions. Marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and expensive artifacts. Once you entered the gated property, they had valet out front to park the cars. Men in suits stood outside at the front doors, and two stood inside to greet the guests. Butlers walk around with trays of champagne and finger foods. The only thing the party is missing is puppies as party favors.