Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 82(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 82(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
“Well, don’t you look pretty this morning,” Mom says, sliding me a plate of eggs and toast. Admittedly hungry, I devour both of them and start toward the door when she ruins the peace. “Darling, I know your break-up is fresh and all, but seriously, the guy I want you to go with is perfect for you. Even if it is just for prom.” God, she is making me want to stay in my room until prom is over. I hold my finger to my nose and keep my back turned.
“I am going to be late, Mom. We can talk about this later.” What is her deal? I think to myself, driving down the street. I mean, I get it, sort of. If this is a girl, I would want to have all these moments with her, but not to the point of obsession.
Pulling up, I am grateful Hunter is already inside because his truck is outside, but he is not. I walk into the school, smiling at those who wave at me, hurriedly trying to get to my locker. The less time people have to look at me, the better my chances of not being noticed.
“Hello, Gwen.” I am stopped dead in my tracks by Hunter’s sister, Heather.
“Hi Heather, how are you?” I ask, trying to smile. She and I used to be so close. Lately, I have been avoiding her like I have her brother, and it makes me feel like shit.
“I am just wondering what is going on. Everyone here knows you are perfect for one another, so why did you break up with him?” I see she’s going straight to the point. Trying to handle it delicately, I answer her.
“Heather, sometimes people change. You are too young to understand, but one day, when you fall in love, you will see.” Her head jumps back as if I slapped her.
“You know what, I may be young, but I know what love looks like, and I know when someone is lying.” I move toward her to ask her what she means, but she turns around and slaps me back with her words. “By the way, Gwen, how many big shirts do you have in your closet?” With that, she walks away from me before I can say anything. I feel like something is stuck in my throat. My head begins to spin. How does she know? I have been so careful. My mind immediately begins wondering if she is going to tell her brother.? Oh my God. I am going to be sick.
The rest of that I spent terrified she was going to rat me out. The few times I saw Hunter, he would look at me; I swear I could see the accusation in his eyes, but then I would calm myself and walk away. One thing she said right: How long am I going to be able to pull this off? Not just hide the growth, but emotionally. Having to hold this in and carry this burden alone is likely to kill me.
When school is finally over, I breathe a sigh of relief. One more day down. More miserable ones to come.
chapter six
Hunter
After school, instead of heading straight to work like I usually do, I go to the Heartstrings offices. Gladis is the world’s best matchmaker, and I need her help.
I walk into her office, and her young, blonde assistant is on the phone, so I sit down and wait. The assistant hangs up the phone and smiles at me. It does nothing for me.
“Welcome to Heartstrings Dating Agency. How can we help you fall in love?”
“No need for that, ma’am,” I tell her. “I’m already very much in love.”
“Too bad,” she says.
“Hunter!” Gladis says, coming out of her office, coffee cup in hand.
“Hello, Gladis. I know I don’t have an appointment or anything, but I was hoping you had a few minutes to spare for me.” She sets her coffee cup down on the counter and pulls me into a hug.
“Of course. Come on in. Katherine, hold my calls.”
“Sure thing, Boss,” Katherine says, smiling at me again.
I follow Gladis into her office. She leads me to a couch in the corner. “How are you holding up, Hunter?”
“Not great, to be honest.” How do you tell the love of your life’s mother that you’re dying on the inside?
“Did you ever figure out what you did wrong? Henry and I have been trying to figure it out but have come up with nothing.”
“Why did I have to be the one to do something wrong?” I ask hotly. She lied to me. She led me to believe she didn’t love me anymore. She made me think she wanted other men to touch her perfect, tanned skin. Her tight, pink pussy. She made me think that everything we shared was just a way to pass the time for her and I should take her over my knee the second she’s not all fucked up from carrying my kid.