Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 99766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Relief floods through me. Cal’s green eyes flicker with violent delight. Ryan deserved to die. But Charlotte, being the nice person she is, seems to be taking it hard.
“Hmph,” Jordy says. “I guess baby Ramirez had one ounce of good left in him.”
“That’s crazy,” Roux murmurs. “Are you okay?”
Charlotte nods, kissing Emilia on the forehead. “It bothers me, yeah, but I also feel…” Her eyes tear up. “Relieved.”
Cal hugs her tight. “And you shouldn’t feel guilty about it either, Charlie girl. Not after what he did to you.”
“I know,” she croaks out. “It’s surreal. Like a horrible chapter in my life has been closed.”
“Too bad Kayden didn’t off himself too while he was at it,” I grumble. “Just because he does the world a favor where a Cunningham is concerned, doesn’t mean I think he’s a hero.” I shake my head. “This is why I want to become a cop.”
Jordy barks out a laugh that makes Emilia jump.
“A cop? You’re awfully violent to want to be a cop,” Cal teases, kicking out one of his long legs to nudge my foot. “I’m honestly scared for when you hit the streets with a badge.”
“You should be, Hutton. I’m going to arrest your ass for being a menace to society.” I smile sweetly at him.
“Maybe I’ll become a cop too,” Cal jokes. “I have a thirst for vengeance.”
“One fucked up idea at a time,” Terrence mutters. “I’m still traumatized over the fact you want to be a principal.”
“I think Cal just has a hard-on for authority,” Jordy says, chuckling.
“Oh God,” Charlotte groans.
“I have a hard-on for something,” Cal predictably says, nipping at Charlotte’s neck.
“On that note,” Charlotte says, handing Emilia back to Jordy. “Roux, want to help me in the kitchen?”
“Happily,” Roux replies, unable to keep her giggle at bay.
As soon as they start clattering around in the kitchen, Cal leans forward. “It’s done.”
Terrence stiffens. “What’s done?”
“School project,” Cal lies. “Penny not tell you about it?”
“Not yet.” Terrence hugs me to him. “But she will. Right, baby?”
No more lies.
“When we get home, I’ll tell you all about it. I promise.” I turn to peck his lips. “It really is a project I’ve been working on at school with a math teacher.”
Cal holds his fist out for me to bump it. “Damn straight. I can’t wait to see how it turns out.”
“Great,” Terrence grumbles. “I’m not sure I want to know now. With you two, there’s no telling what it is.”
“Too late,” I sass. “You wanted all my secrets and now you’re going to get them. Warning, they’re not all pretty.”
He nuzzles my neck with his face. “I don’t care if they’re pretty. I want them all. I want you.”
My heart flutters at his words.
The truth is much more rewarding than secrets and lies.
“Let’s just say,” Cal says with a wicked grin, “Penny is going to make one helluva badass cop one day.”
Terrence chuckles. “That, I don’t doubt for a second.”
Terrence
The classroom is quiet as everyone works on their exam. It’s strange to be on this side of the classroom. When I was in school, I wasn’t a fan, but now that it’s my job, I enjoy it. Plus, it helps to have Cal here. We always wanted to work together and we got our wish. Working with your best friend definitely has its perks.
I skim the class, settling at the two girls in the back. Liv and Heidi keep shooting each other worried glances. For all the shit they’ve done this year, they should be worried. Karma has a way of smacking you upside the head when you least expect it.
My phone buzzes, drawing my attention to it.
Grandma: Terry, bring me that baby before I come steal her.
I bite back a chuckle. Grandma may have skipped out on being an actual grandmother and forced to be more like a mother to me, but with Zella, she’s loving the grandma role. Zella adores her and looks forward to spending the night. Grandma always made me do chores and shit, but when Zella comes over, they bake and play in the garden. I’d call Grandma out on the unfairness of it all, but they’re both happy, so I refrain.
Me: I need to shop for her birthday this weekend. I could bring her by so Penny and I could take care of that.
Grandma: Good. Maybe Penny can knock some sense into your cousin.
Me: What’s up with Tierra?
Grandma: She’s being secretive. I checked her phone, but there’s nothing, which means if she’s hiding something she already deleted it. If she’s talking to that man from Rockford again, there’ll be hell to pay.
Just the thought of Tierra carrying on a secret relationship with Tim has me boiling over with rage. That fucker took advantage of her. When shit hit the fan, instead of standing by her side and agreeing they were in love, he tried making it seem like it was one-sided. I know that fucked with Tierra’s head. If she’s talking to him, I’m going to be pissed. Cal and I might have to go find his ass. Give him a warning to stay away from her.