Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 103753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Women are complicated creatures. I don’t know what to do with this information. It seems useless to me, but something deep in my gut tells me to listen to her.
Her shaking hands come together and she wrings them. “I need to go. And be away from you. I have a lot on my mind, and even though I like you in a weird way, you’re…” She swallows hard. “…I don’t think you’re good for me, Twitch.”
My lip curls, and before I can think of a response, the door clicks shut.
I’ve lost her.
As soon as I spy a smiling Happy at the bottom of the stairs, he takes one look at my face and his smile is replaced with a look of worry. Meeting me at the very last step, he wraps a large arm around my shoulders and I’m overcome with emotion. Gripping his lapel, I cry into his chest as he leads me through the back of the house to where a car is waiting.
He ushers me in, gives the driver my address, then says to me sadly, “Not everyone can be a fairy-tale hero.” He pauses a moment, then adds, “The world needs villains too.”
The car drives me home. I shower, then dress for bed.
I make an effort to text Nikki and Dave to let them know I’m home because I’m not feeling that great, and to party on without me.
Turning on my CD player and sliding under the covers, my last thought before I drift to sleep is how much I’m going to miss Twitch.
Stooping to a level I never thought I’d reach, I contemplate my current position.
My mind’s only excuse for what I’m doing is that I’m doing this for Lexi.
She needs me.
I need her.
I ignore my mind’s voice.
Because it’s wrong.
My bed dips, a tall body slides in behind me, and a strong arm comes around my waist, pulling me back into warmth.
My heart begins to race.
That’s when I smell his cologne.
I ask sleepily, “What are you doing here?”
Kissing my shoulder for a solid minute, he replies, “Ssssh. The more talking you do, the less time you’re thinking. So think, Angel. I’m just gettin’ some sleep.”
My heart stupidly swells.
He made an effort. He’s making an effort. Something tells me this is a big deal.
Leaning back into him, I whisper, “You’re not going to let me go, are you?”
Burying his face into my hair, he breathes me in and orders, “Sleep. Now.”
Unable to stop myself, I link my fingers with his at my hip and fall into a deep, restful slumber.
My brain at ease.
My heart content.
Today is not going well.
Turning left at the hall to get to Lexi’s office, I stop short when I hear a raised voice.
My brow furrows.
“You just don’t get it, Miss Ballentine! I have reasons. I can’t tell you what they are. You’re just going to have to trust me!” This comes from a young man. From the sounds of him, I’d say an adolescent.
Lexi shoots back, “Trust you like you obviously trust me?” Sarcasm drips from her voice.
I stand by the doorway and listen in on the heated exchange.
“Michael, you can’t keep cutting school like this. Mr Gilbert called me four times last week to let me know you’ve been tardy, and I’m seriously not happy with lying to your principal.” A pause, then more softly, “We had a deal. You keep your phone on you so I can contact you at all times. You really have no idea how much freedom I’m giving you, sweetie. Would you like to know why I treat you differently?”
I peek in.
Michael keeps his face lowered, arms crossed over his chest, chin squared in teenaged-defiance, while Lexi scoots closer to him and says quietly, “It’s because you’re smart, Mickey. I’ve been your case worker for two years now and I know smart when I see it. I also know that people are going to do what they can to make life easier, so I have to tell you how disappointed I am that Sam saw you the other day.”
Michael’s eyes widen, head still lowered. He shifts around nervously and swallows hard.
Lexi’s sadness sounds through her voice. “I thought you weren’t going to deal anymore. We had an agreement.”
Michael stays quiet a long time before he whispers, “Sometimes good people have to do bad things. It’s nothing personal. It’s just life, Miss Ballentine.”
Geez. That’s rough. But he hit the nail right on the head.
I’ve decided I like this kid. And Lexi was right; he is smart.
Reacting without thinking, I stride into the office. Lexi looks up and her eyes widen. She smiles warmly before her face turns to stunned disbelief. Rushing over to me, she hisses, “What are you doing here?”
Placing a hand up to stop her from talking, I move to stand in front of Michael. “Stand up, boy.”