Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“Hon, you want to be a blob, go ahead and be a blob. You have all the time you want if that’s what you need. I’m just worried, is all.”
“I’m fine. I’ll be fine. I’ve been through worse, right?”
She smiles and shakes her head sadly but she doesn’t agree.
I sit back and sip my drink. I try not to think about Ford and his hands on my skin and his mouth against my neck. Could he really have faked all that? Was any of it real? That man must be the most amazing actor in the world because I caught him at least a dozen times giving me looks when he thought I wasn’t paying attention, these longing, lust-filled looks. He’s either a master manipulator, or some part of what we had was real. And even if that’s the case, wanting to fuck me is one thing, but clearly that wasn’t enough.
I don’t know what to do.
I feel lost and like I have nowhere to turn. I don’t want to go home back to Grandfather, but Ford was my only shot at getting away. Without him, I’m screwed, and sooner or later I’ll have to swallow my pride and give Grandfather what he’s been wanting from the start.
Complete control over my life.
My phone begins to ring. I frown at it and don’t feel like getting up to answer. But Tina nudges me and I sigh, stand, and walk to where it’s buzzing on the kitchen counter.
I don’t recognize the number. Most people would ignore a call like this, but it sets my stomach tingling.
Most of the time it’s a telemarketer robot calling to check on my vehicle’s extended warranty, but sometimes when Mom’s on a bender and she’s been missing for a while…
I answer and nearly scream when it’s her voice. “Hi, honey,” Mom croaks. “I bet you’re really mad right now.”
“Mom,” I say and have to force myself not to start crying. I’m so relieved she’s still alive it’s almost painful. “Where are you? Why did you leave the clinic? Tell me where you are and I’ll come get you right now.”
“Ah, sweetie, look. I love you so much, I really do, and you know how your mom is. She’s a total mess, right?” Her voice is low and distant and nervous, and my hope turns sour. I know what’s coming next and I wish she wouldn’t do it. “But I gotta ask for money.”
“Mom,” I say sharply. “You have to be kidding.”
“I know you’re mad. I really don’t even blame you. But, honey, I owe some people some a lot of cash and they’re not very nice people. I need it, please, I really need some money.”
I take a deep breath and close my eyes. “Mom, I don’t have anything to give you.”
“Ford. Ask Ford. He’s got so much money, he won’t even notice—”
“Ford and I split up.”
A short pause. “Honey, what the fuck were you thinking, walking out on that man? He was your golden ticket! That rich bastard was going to keep us afloat for years! Or did you do something fucking stupid to get yourself dumped? You wouldn’t give that man anything to keep him happy? What the fuck is wrong with you?”
I squeeze my eyes shut as anger flares through me. “Can you please stop? Just stop it, okay? Ford was using me, Mom. It was always fake.”
She laughs and I can imagine the look on her face. Her eyes must be glassy, her face drooping. “He was using you and you were using him too! Or I thought you were, since I thought you were smart, but maybe I was wrong.”
“Stop it,” I say sharply. Mom can be mean when she’s desperate and high, and I know she’s going to say something she’ll apologize for later, and I want to skip the whole cycle of hurt and forgiveness this time if I can manage it. “It was all some complicated revenge scheme his grandfather came up with to get at our family. He was using me to hurt the Stocktons. To hurt Grandfather.”
She lets out a long breath. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but I thought you had a good thing going. Really, baby, you should’ve let him screw over your grandfather, that old bastard deserves it. I really thought you had something good for once.”
“I did too, Mom.”
“Doesn’t change anything for me though. I need money, honey. Maybe you can talk to your grandfather—”
“No,” I say sharply, almost pleading. “I’m not home. I haven’t been back since—since I left Ford.”
“Well, honey, go back. I can wait a little while, but not forever, okay?”
“Where are you? Tell me where you are and maybe I can do something.” Like drive over and drag her back to rehab.
“Sorry, honey, can’t do that. I’ll call again soon, okay? I love you, hon. Go home and talk to your grandfather for me, I really need it.” She hangs up and the line goes dead.