Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Ugh. I wish I could move back in with Gianna, but after I left, she downsized to a one-bedroom. My mother paid for her to break her lease because heaven forbid anyone have anything bad to say about an Astor.
“Always, Mother.” There is sugar in my tone, because placating my mother is something I learned at a very young age.
“You’re coming home Sunday?” she asks.
“Yes. We plan to leave Birmingham after lunch on Sunday. We’re going to take her grandma to church.”
“That’s sweet of you girls.” She nods as I begin to carefully fold my clothes and place them in the suitcase. “I’ll be gone when you leave. I’ll see you on Sunday.” With that, she turns and walks away.
No “let me know you get there safely,” or “have fun.” No hugs, and never an “I love you.” None of those things did I grow up with.
Ryder and his family showed me an all-new way of life. Of showing those you care about what they mean to you, and spending quality time with them, even if that’s just sitting around a fire and talking about nothing and everything all at once.
I pack the clothes I know my mother expects for me to take. I wouldn’t put it past her to have an inventory of my wardrobe. My small satchel is already packed with shorts and tank tops, and a pair of flip-flops. My mother hates them and complains every time I wear them. The sad part is that I feel more at ease in flip-flops than I ever did in heels. I was born into this life, and it’s not what I want.
My mother wants me to be her clone. A socialite. But that’s not who I am. I want to be a good friend, a wife, and a mother. I want a simple life where I’m not always feeling like I’m competing to have the best of the best. I want to love and be loved, and I have that with Ryder.
I’ve been given tremendous opportunities, and I’ve never had to want for a single material thing. However, that’s not what’s important. It’s the hugs, the “I love yous,” the “be safes,” and the “let me know when you get theres” that I crave. Money can’t buy any of that.
Money can’t buy love or trust.
Once I’m packed, I carry my bags down to my car. My mother is already gone, so I head out early. I can’t stand to be in this house, this lonely, cold, enormous house. I’d rather wait around at Gianna’s tiny one-bedroom apartment.
The drive is about twenty minutes, and when I pull in, I scan the lot, looking for someone who might be following me. I never had to worry about that before, but after what my mother did to my brother, and knowing she wants me to stay away from Ryder, I’m extra vigilant. I’ve never given her a reason to worry that I was disobeying until now. Hopefully, she’s still in the dark. The extra phone was a genius idea, and I’ve told Ryder that several times. Gianna and I even use it. I don’t know that my mom can read messages, but I know she can track my location, and that’s enough for me to be extra cautious.
Locking my car, I make my way to the door, and my hand is poised to knock when Gianna pulls it open.
“Hey, you.” She smiles and hauls me into a tight embrace.
This. This is what life is about. The connections you make.
“Hi. I needed out of that house,” I tell her, stepping into her apartment.
“I bet. How are things?”
“Same. She’s dictating my life. No talk of marriage, so I’m counting that as a win. I know it’s coming, though.”
She gives me a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry, Jordyn.”
“It’s not you. You’re doing me a huge solid by letting me use you as my cover this weekend.”
“He was devastated. Ryder, I mean. That day when he showed up here. It was so sad to watch. He really loves you.”
Hot tears prick my eyes. “I love him, too.” It’s not that I didn’t believe her. Gianna is my best friend, and I trust her, but while I was away, it was easier to pretend as if her words weren’t true. I was hurting and missing Ryder so much, and I knew, or at least I thought I knew, there was no way around doing what my mother asked. If only I would have gone to him, we could have started this search into her sooner.
Maybe we could have already been living out our happily ever after.
“I hope this gets resolved. You two deserve to be together after everything that you’ve been through.”
“It’s a long shot, but until I’m forced into marriage, we’ll continue to sneak phone calls and visits when we can, and—” I shrug, because I don’t want to say the words out loud.