Total pages in book: 12
Estimated words: 11299 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 56(@200wpm)___ 45(@250wpm)___ 38(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 11299 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 56(@200wpm)___ 45(@250wpm)___ 38(@300wpm)
That night, when we got to McDonald’s, my mom told me that Grandma White had asked her to come clean at her property. How it was an incredible opportunity, and she was excited. I was excited because she was.
But nothing could have prepared me for that property. Four mansions sat on that estate, and the gardens reminded me of the queen’s gardens in Alice in Wonderland. They had a mansion for each son and then one for Grandma and Grandpa White. Everything screamed old blue blood money, and I was scared to even touch anything.
So, I didn’t.
I’d sit in my corner, or I’d go out in the gardens to play.
It’s crazy how my life began compared to now and all the amazing things that have happened in between. But nothing can ever touch the first time I saw him.
My daddy. Charles White.
I didn’t even know my mom had given me one of his shirts when I’d spilled grape juice on mine. When he walked up to me, an eye cocked and an easy smile on his face, I wasn’t scared; I felt at ease. My daddy is a charmer, and he loved me from the jump.
He always tells people, “I knew she was special the moment I saw her in my Metallica shirt, but nothing, and I mean nothing, could have prepared me for when I saw my LillyJane.”
It’s a real rags-to-riches love story and one of my favorites. I don’t think I’ll ever have a love story like theirs, but a girl can dream. Mom and Daddy have loved me hard, and sometimes I think it’s because they couldn’t have any more kids. Sometimes I feel like I was blamed for that. Mine wasn’t an easy birth and she was so young, but she never came out and told me that. Apparently, Daddy is infertile too.
“Cameron, that’s all in the past.”
“Yes, but this is my future, and I refuse to have a child that I’ll resent. I know it’s not my fault, but this isn’t what I want. And that may be selfish, but I don’t want this to not be an option. I know I am taken care of, I know you and Daddy would move mountains for me, and for this baby. But I’m not ready to move mountains for anyone but myself. I’m not ready to be a mom.”
“I told you we’d raise the baby, Cam,” she says, her voice flat.
“But I don’t want you to, nor do I want to give up a year of my college career. I’ve worked so hard for this.”
“Cameron, this baby was conceived for a reason.”
“Yeah, faulty birth control and super sperm from its dad.”
I’m met with silence, and my stomach twists. “Have you told the father?”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I don’t know if I will.”
“Cameron. You need to. At least see what he wants to do. Maybe if you had some support, you’d feel better.”
“It’s not about support, Mom. I don’t need anyone for that. It’s about my dreams and aspirations. A child will not add to those right now, and that’s not fair to it.”
I’m met with a disappointed silence and a look that makes it clear she is not happy. “I want you to think long and hard about this before you make the decision.”
“I know, Mom,” I say, wiping my face.
“And know that I love you, no matter what,” she says, holding my gaze. “But I don’t agree with an abortion. I understand that you don’t want to lose your career, but maybe you should not have had sex.”
I close my eyes, and I know that the anger burning inside me is brought on by fear.
And that my mom is being kinda bitchy.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have. But I did, and now I have to figure this out.”
“Yes, you do.”
We stare at each other for a while, and then I decide to end the call without saying goodbye. One reason being because my heart is broken, and the other is because I feel betrayed by her. Doesn’t she want better for me? I know she didn’t get to choose, but I do have the choice.
Shouldn’t I be able to make it?
Chapter Two
Benson
I carry the puck up the ice, my lungs burning and my heart pounding in my chest. This is just a practice, but playing for Jayden Sinclair is no joke. He is an alumnus of the University of Bellevue, and he also played in the NHL until injury made him retire. He has a chip on his shoulder now, and he is dead set on proving to everyone that he is not done with hockey. Not only is he driven, but he has a structure like no other. He isn’t here to play around. He wants a winning team, and if you aren’t here to win, get the fuck off the ice.