Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
But it’s not my body whispered.
Asshole: Mmm, call me Daddy again.
I made an exasperated noise and tossed my phone into my bag. Fuck him. He was so annoying. Could you get high blood pressure at my age?
Thankfully, he left me alone, but I knew he’d be laughing in that arrogant way of his if he were here.
When the bell rang and school was let out, I gathered my books and put them in my bag as I walked down the hallway. The noise was deafening with everybody talking at once and eager to get out. I felt this strange tightness in my body the closer I got to those doors, knowing Hades would be waiting for me.
I was adjusting my bag and not paying attention for a split second when I ran into someone. Textbooks scattered across the floor, and I bent down to pick them up, muttering an apology.
“We just keep running into each other. It must be destiny.”
I glanced up just as Trevor crouched down and started helping me pick up my books. I gave an awkward laugh because the way he looked at me after he said those words meant a little something more than I was comfortable with.
When I had all my things straightened, we both headed toward the doors, which Trevor held open for me. I stepped out into the warm, September air.
“Thanks for helping me back there,” I said as I scanned the front of the school, where all the overpriced cars were lined up.
I was about twenty feet from the curb when I stopped, realizing Trevor was still right next to me. I glanced at him expectantly, his expression telling me he had something on his mind.
“Listen,” he said and lifted his hand to shield the sun from his eyes. “I’m throwing a party this weekend. It’s kind of like a back-to-school thing. I do it every year. The entire school comes. You should, too.”
“I’ll be honest.” I adjusted my shoulder bag and felt this discomfort filling me. I hadn’t talked about my parents’ passing, and as the weeks had passed and I was getting into this new routine, I didn’t want to risk opening up that fresh grief again.
“Oh shit. I’m sorry. Did I overstep? I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable, and it looks like you are.”
And now my face was on fire because he’d noticed how awkward I made things.
“No, you did nothing wrong. It’s just… I lost my parents not that long ago. That’s why I’m living with Hades. It’s a long, complicated situation. And as much as socialization sounds great, I don’t think I’d be much fun to be around.” I was also pretty sure Hades would not be agreeable about me going to some party. He was a strict asshole on the best of days.
“I’m really sorry to hear about your parents. I lost my grandmother last year. I know it’s not the same thing, but I was really close with her.”
No, not the same thing, Trevor. But thank you for trying to empathize with me.
Instead of saying all that, I just smiled.
“But the parties are really low-key. We just hang around, eat a lot of shit that’s bad for us, and sometimes there are drinks.” He winked. “It might be good for you to meet other people from school?” He held out his hands, almost in surrender, and grinned. “Of course, no pressure. But the offer stands if you change your mind.”
My skin tightened again, and I realized it had nothing to do with the awkward situation of telling someone my parents had died and everything to do with being watched.
I rubbed the back of my neck but refused to look around because I knew who watched me.
I was sure Hades was lurking somewhere in the shadows, glowering at me for not being punctual and in the car. I was pretty sure I pissed him off because he had to wait.
Well, let him.
“Thanks again for today and showing me around.”
Trevor gave me a lopsided smile and shrugged before shoving his hands in the pockets of his pants. “My pleasure.”
The apples of his cheeks turned red, and I felt a little strange to be on the giving end of making someone blush. My phone vibrated in my bag, but I ignored it as I listened to Trevor talk about the party more.
I wasn’t interested, but I listened and smiled at the appropriate times, trying to push out of my mind the fact I knew Hades was watching. Was making him wait immature? Probably. Justifiable? Absolutely.
My phone chimed with text messages, which I kept ignoring. It was on the fifth ring that I exhaled in exasperation and said, “Give me one second, Trevor.”
“If you keep harassing me with the back-to-back phone calls, I’m gonna have to block your number,” I said in a singsong voice.