Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 69610 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69610 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
I stare at her, my best friend, and I know I’d do anything for her.
What’s wrong with trying?
I swallow and nod. “Okay, I’ll try, but Scarlett, if it doesn’t feel right, please don’t push me.”
“I promise! Oh, I’m so excited!”
She leans forward and hugs me, and I return it, smiling at Isaac over her shoulder.
My life just took somewhat of an unexpected turn.
It seems to be doing that a lot lately.
And I’m not sure I mind.
~*~*~*~
AMALIE – NOW
“Bikers.”
It’s the first word Caiden says to me when I step into his tea room later that afternoon. I’m on cloud nine after hearing Scarlett’s label is willing to hear a song if we put one together and consider it for the album. I thought nothing could take away from my mood, but the second I step in here, a dark cloud hovers, and I know instantly my mother has been speaking to Caiden and his mother.
“Pardon me?” I ask him.
He glares at me. “I’m in here, stuck, with nobody and you’re out there, screwing around with bikers!”
Damn my mother for this.
How dare she?
She knew exactly what telling Caiden something like this would do, and yet she chose to do it anyway. Because she gets some sort of satisfaction out of bringing me down, out of hurting me. I can’t even trust my own mother. That hurts, deep.
“I’m not running around with anybody, Caiden. They are protecting me after my attack. That’s all.”
“Then why did one come and pick you up, upset your mother by telling her off, and then proceed to put you on his bike and ride off. That isn’t protection. Are you a biker whore now?”
I flinch.
“Stop it. What I do is none of your business. You’ve made it clear you don’t care about me, so why do you care what I’m doing?”
“I always knew you’d never find better than me. You don’t deserve better than me, after what you did. But you could have at least had some respect. I’m in here suffering, and you’re having the time of your life. Going on tour, riding around with some bad ass biker. Does it make you feel good, to know I’m trapped while you are flying free?”
He knows he’s hurting me. He knows it, and that’s why he’s doing it.
He’s poking me right in my sore spots.
“I can’t even get a job,” he sneers. “You can pursue your dreams, but I can’t.”
“I know,” I say softly. “I know, and I’m sorry, Caiden. You know that. I’ve told you that a thousand times over. You know I am never going to forgive myself for what happened to you, but you could get a job, you could get out there, you’re choosing not to.”
Wrong thing to say.
I know it the moment it leaves my lips.
His face goes red and he starts yelling, angrily.
“I’m choosing not to? I’m choosing not to? I look like a fucking monster. I can’t walk on the best of days. I’m stuck here, living in depression, alone, fucking scared and you’re out there enjoying your life and making yourself feel better by coming here. Does it work, Amalie? Does it make you feel better?”
“Stop it,” I cry.
“Do you sleep better at night? Knowing I’m in here, but you visit me daily so that makes it okay? Does that ease your guilt?”
I clench my eyes shut, taking a deep breath. Don’t do this, Amalie. Don’t let him do this.
I open my eyes and try to stay calm. “You’re angry. This isn’t the best time for me to be here.”
“I hope every fucking time you look in the mirror, you see this—” He jerks a finger to his face. “I hope it haunts your dreams. This is all your fault. You ruined my life. You fucking ruined me. I hope your boyfriend’s cock is making you happy. Think of me next time you’re on his bike, think of what you fucking did!”
He’s screaming so loudly his mother has come running into the room. She steps in front of me. “Get out of my house. And do not come back.”
Tears are rolling down my cheeks, but I do as she asks. I turn, and I get the hell out of her house.
I run to my car and get away from there as fast as I possibly can. I don’t know where I’m going to go. I don’t know what I’m going to do. My mind is spinning. My heart racing. My stomach turning. I’m panicking, it’s been a long time since I’ve felt that desperate emptiness that makes me feel like curling into a ball and giving up.
My vision is blurred from my tears, and I’m crying so hard no sound is coming out. I’m scared. I know that I’m at a point where I just can’t take much more. I need an escape. It’s afternoon, I still have a few hours, so I drive toward Scarlett’s ranch. I hope she’s there, but at the same time I don’t.