Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
I smile, leaning my head back against the cushion. God, I love my mom. And my brother. All my brothers, and of course, my dad. Us Fourniers…well, we fucking rock.
“Listen, honey, I’m on my way out the door to meet a client, but are you sure you’re doing okay? You can always come home if you want.”
“I know, Mom,” I murmur, my eyes misting a little. I have to admit there is some appeal about going back home where I can be secure under my parents’ wings while I try to find myself.
But that would mean giving up Van right now, and I’m not ready to do that.
Even if he is being a stubborn shit who won’t admit that we’re exclusive.
So I tell my mom, “Maybe if I can’t get another job. But right now, I’m good.”
“Okay,” my mom says with a worried sigh. No matter I just told her I’m good, she’s going to worry. She’s a mom. She continues to prove that by asking, “How’s Lucas?”
My heart clenches as I think about the pain my brother is in. He’s gone from getting drunk to now just being very, very quiet and withdrawn. I can’t even bait him into yelling at me anymore.
“He’s not good,” I tell her truthfully. While I don’t want her to worry, he needs his mom worrying about him. “But I’m keeping a close eye on him.”
“I’ve been calling but he’s not returning my calls,” she says glumly. “But at least he’s texting me, so that’s something.”
“She’s going to be hard to get over,” I say, because the fact they created a baby together creates a bond that’s hard to replace when it’s broken.
“I hate for any of my kids to hurt,” my mom laments. “But I also know that Lucas will be okay. I know all my kids will be okay.”
“Awww,” I tease her to lighten the mood. “Is that your way of saying I’m forgiven for dropping out of school?”
“You’re not forgiven until you finish your degree or pay me and your father back every dime you wasted,” she replies tartly.
I laugh and promise her, “I know. And you have my word I’ll make it right somehow.”
“I know you will, baby,” she practically coos at me, and I withhold my snicker. “I love you, and your dad told me to tell you that he thinks you’re all right for a wayward kid.”
“I’m twenty-two,” I point out.
“You dropped out of school without telling us,” she replies smoothly. “That puts you in kid territory.”
“Whatever,” I mutter, like a freaking thirteen-year-old.
To this, my mom giggles. “Bye, honey.”
“Bye,” I murmur, and when I disconnect, a painful longing for home hits me so hard it steals my breath.
God, it was so stupid of me to drop out. Maybe I should go back and just go to med school. I know I can do it, that’s not an issue. I’m clearly the smartest of all the Fournier kids, and I have no doubt I’d be a successful doctor.
With a growl of frustration, I toss my phone onto the couch beside me and stare at the ceiling. Lucas is at the gym, and I have no clue where Van is.
Not that I care.
Not until I get exclusivity.
Yesterday morning in the garden shed I rocked his world good. And when I rocked his world, it rocked my own. Damn, but I loved all the dirty things he promised me, and that night, I was looking forward to him delivering them.
But it wasn’t in the cards. Because not only didn’t he call or text me with promises that I’d be the only one in his bed, he went out with Lucas.
And I wasn’t invited. My night off, and I was stuck at home by myself.
I stewed for a few hours, and then I couldn’t stand it anymore. I shot Van a text.
Where are you and Lucas partying tonight?
He didn’t answer me right away, but when he did, I could hear the smirk in his words. None of your business.
That chafed.
So I did what any girl who wanted to gain the upper hand would do. I pulled out my vibrator and took a lewd picture of me using it right there on the couch. I texted it to him with the words, This is what I’m doing.
I expected him to either A) ignore me, or B) curse at me for turning him on.
Instead, he shocked the shit out of me when he texted back, Get yourself off with that thing and send me a picture of your face as you’re coming.
Oh wow, did my panties get wet.
And this wasn’t technically me giving in on the exclusivity promise I was requiring, so I did exactly as he commanded. It wasn’t easy either, but I managed, and the photo was pretty hot.
In fact, his exact words back to me were, That’s fucking hot. I want to use that on you.