Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 88080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
That I’d be a part of his world like I always wanted to be.
Instead, he sent me away.
Dismissed me so he could talk to his attorney. They’re probably getting naked as we speak. I let out a snort at my poutiness. Jordy is a lot of things—angry, fierce, vengeful—but he’s not cruel. He wouldn’t lead me on just to fuck his attorney when she showed up. I’m just pissed that he sent me away. It means he’s still protecting me, and we both know what happened the last time he tried to protect me.
A car turns onto our street and heads toward our house. It’s unfamiliar—a black luxury vehicle. Maybe a BMW, though I can’t tell from this far away. It pulls into the driveway, stopping just a few feet from where I’m sitting on the bottom step outside our garage apartment.
Three car doors open and I recognize everyone immediately. First, I see Hollis climb out. Behind him, Penny follows, though I wish it were Charlotte. It’s the driver who surprises me.
“Mr. English?” I say, rising to my feet.
I’ve only met their dad a few times. He’s always been nothing but business when he visits. I know the girls have gone to stay with him at the hotel before whenever he’s in Hood River. They usually leave with shopping bags full of gifts. The last time he came to visit, Charlotte left with a cherry-red Audi TT RS. I can tell Penny’s already sporting new tennis shoes and Hollis has a new hoodie.
Must be nice to have a dad who spoils you rotten.
“Hello, Roux,” Mr. English says as he approaches. “I’ve told you to call me Garrett.”
“Sorry,” I mumble. “Where’s Charlotte?”
Garrett’s jaw clenches. He and Hollis exchange a look I’m not meant to interpret. “She’s off with her boyfriend.”
Penny makes a motion with her fist and mouth like she’s mimicking a blow job. My cheeks blaze with heat as I stifle an inappropriate giggle.
“Roan’s not here,” I tell Garrett.
“We’re here to talk to Jordy,” Hollis chimes in, tugging at a strand of my hair. “Is he up there?”
“With Samantha,” I say icily.
Garrett’s brows lift and Penny snorts out a laugh.
“His attorney,” Hollis tells his dad. “Come on.”
Penny and I follow Garrett and Hollis up the steps. At one time, Garrett was bigger than Hollis, but ever since Roan and Hollis got on their freak gym kick, my brother-in-law has bulked up. Garrett is handsome for an older man and could probably land someone like Samantha if he wanted, but he’s clearly still pining over their mom.
Good luck, buddy.
Kelsey’s boyfriend—and my legal guardian, Mike—is obsessed with her. Spoils her rotten with dinners and presents and stupidly sweet gestures. Garrett, according to Hollis, cheated on Kelsey. His loss, too. Kelsey is kind and gorgeous and the mother of his children. Garrett really screwed up.
We make it to the top of the steps and enter the apartment. My eyes skim right over to where Samantha is leaned across the table showing Jordy something on her computer. The way she looks at him grosses me out.
“Oh,” Samantha says, jerking back. “We have visitors.”
Jordy’s dark eyes land on his favorite place—my lips—and then lazily skim down my front, leaving fire in the wake of his stare.
Garrett introduces himself to Samantha as Jordy stands. He makes a beeline over to me, his body thrumming with the need to touch me. I reach for him and he moves like he might take my hand. At the last second, his hand flies up to rub at the back of his neck.
“Girls,” Garrett says, cutting through the crackling energy between Jordy and me. “Can you run along so the adults can talk?”
Jordy winces and I recoil, fuming at his words.
“I’m staying,” I bite out.
Garrett frowns, shaking his head. “Go to your room.”
I gape at him in shock. Samantha wears a satisfied smirk. Hollis has the sense to look guilty but doesn’t intervene. When my eyes land back on Jordy’s, his eyes take on that dead look he gets when he shuts me out.
“Come on,” Penny says, taking my hand.
“I want to stay,” I whisper to him.
“Go with Penny.” He nods at my bedroom before turning his back on me.
Fire bursts up inside of me, but before I have a chance to yell at him, Penny is dragging me through the living room. She has to shove me into the room and then closes the door behind her. Hot tears of anger flood my eyes, streaking down my cheeks.
“Seriously?” I hiss. “They act like we’re little kids!”
“Daddy’s meetings are always boring,” Penny says. “Trust me, we dodged a bullet.”
She nosily starts picking up picture frames, reading poetry pieces, and peeking in drawers. That’s Penny for you. Always lurking and noticing things.
“Is Char really with Ryan?” I demand.
“Yeah. He’s such a dick, too. No one but me ever sees it either.”