Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Cody has his own life and couldn’t be there twenty-four seven. He, Elise, and Maggie did all they could to help me after that incident. Elise and Cody were the ones who talked to my aunt and then my aunt called whoever she did to handle the situation.
However, men aren’t a safe space for me. I don’t even know if I could allow Trevor back in. It took Matthew a while to gain my trust. If not for Melody, I don’t know if I ever would have trusted him.
“Nanna, I’m trying,” I say on the verge of tears.
She stands and pulls me into her arms, kissing the top of my head. “I know you are. I see things y’all don’t tell me.
“You’re going to be just fine. Once you stop running, it’s all gonna fall into place. The truth will always set you free, Babycakes. Truth is, your healing is right here in Texas.”
Maybe she’s right. It feels like something is holding me here. I don’t think it’s Trevor or has anything to do with him, but something is calling me home.
CHAPTER 14
Recognition
Lynn
I put on the sundress with the plunging neckline that Maggie handed to me. It’s cute. I wasn’t sure I was going to like it.
I go to step out of the fitting room as Jess is coming out of hers at the same time. She has on a cute little sundress as well. She’s a curvy little thing. Taller than me, but she’s packing a little figure.
“You look so pretty,” she gushes when she sees me.
“So do you,” I say, causing her to blush.
We both move to the mirror and stand side by side. Jess reaches to lace her fingers with mine and smiles at me in our reflection. I smile back as I notice the nervous look that comes to her eyes.
Today was her day off, no work or school, so I asked her to come shopping with me. It’s been a long week, and I needed some retail therapy.
“What’s up, kiddo?” I ask.
“I like this one. I think I’ll wear it for my birthday. Um, I was wondering. Will you guys come to my party? It would mean the world to me,” she says softly.
“The party your daddy is throwing for you?” I ask.
“Yeah, he won’t mind. You guys were friends when you were younger, right?”
I turn to face her, at a loss for words. I have no clue how to respond. I don’t want to break her heart and say no, but I know I shouldn’t agree to show up somewhere I shouldn’t be.
“Can I think about it? I’m still trying to remain low key and I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be here.”
She drops her gaze. “Oh, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. You’re LG. You can’t just show up at some teenager’s birthday party all willy nilly and what not. I get it.”
I lift her head and look into her eyes. “I’m not making any promises, but I’ll have Matthew and Wilson look into planning a drop in,” I say.
“Thank you,” she says and pulls me into a hug.
She then reaches for the locket resting between my breasts. Her brows furrow as she squints at it. She then begins to blink, seemingly trying to put pieces together.
“My daddy wears a locket just like this one. I’ve never seen him without it. I’ve always wondered who has the other half,” she says absently.
She then lifts her gaze to mine. There are so many questions in her eyes. I stumble back, lifting a hand to my head.
It feels like the room is spinning. I’ve worn this locket every day since he gave it to me. Hearing that he still wears his is a punch to the gut.
“Um, we still have more shopping to do. Come on, we closed out several shops for my visit. We don’t want to be late for any of them. Hand Maggie anything you plan to take,” I say as I move back into my dressing room.
When I get inside, I brace myself against the wall. He still wears the locket? But why?
I never take it off because it holds a part of my sister. I try not to think of Trevor’s words when he gave it to me. I only want the parts of Pook. However, in this moment his words come back like a sledgehammer.
This doesn’t end here. Pook wanted us to live, love, and be happy. Right here, right now, we should promise her that, and as long as we wear these, she can live through us no matter where in the world we are.
I choke back a sob. I’ve been breaking my promise to my sister. I haven’t been living, loving, or happy. For nineteen years, something has been missing. No, I need to be honest. Someone has been missing.