Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 91560 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91560 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“You know, this is all your fault,” I tell her, watching her eyes narrow at her own reflection. She won’t look at me. I should be glad, but all it does is infuriate me. Like I’m nothing—I’m nobody.
Just like she treated me before. After I thought we really shared something special. All she did was use me for a good time, then turn her back. And I’m supposed to feel sorry for her now?
“I can’t wait to hear this one,” she whispers, the corners of her mouth tugging into a smirk. “Please, enlighten me. What did I do to deserve this?”
“Pretty simple. You know Tiana doesn’t want you anywhere near me, yet what did I find when I walked into the cafeteria? You and Wren are just as close as ever, giggling and making your big plans to move in. Is there anybody’s life you won’t sink your claws into and find a way to ruin somehow?”
“I’m not ruining anything,” she mutters, her eyes meeting mine for a brief moment before returning to her stained clothes. “That’s all in your head.”
“Tell yourself that all you want. All I’m saying is, you want Tiana to leave you alone? Then you need to leave me alone. Find someplace else to have lunch—you did before you girls made up from your fight or whatever it was. Do it again if you know what’s good for you.”
“You know something?” Balling up the paper towels, she pitches them into the trash, then washes her hands briskly. “I’m sick of you deciding what’s good for me and what isn’t. I’ll handle things on my own, thank you very much.”
“You’re feeling pretty fucking independent for somebody who needs to run to Briggs for protection.”
“That’s my business, not yours.” Turning off the water, she snorts softly. “What, are you worried it won’t be so easy for you to climb in my bedroom window when I’m living with him and Wren?”
Bitch. Everything around me goes red. I can’t find my voice. I’m too busy trying to convince myself not to kill her.
In a moment of almost desperate self-preservation, I leave the room without another word, knowing it’s either that or doing something I might end up regretting.
16
MAYA
“Exactly what in the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Dammit. The sound of Dad’s sharp, cold voice freezes me in place as I finish zipping one of my suitcases. I crammed everything I could in there, and now I’m thinking I might need more than just the couple of bags I figured I’d be taking with me. I don’t plan on coming back, and I’m afraid Dad will throw out anything I leave behind.
Sadly, that indecision slowed me down. I was hoping to be out of here before he got home from work. I figured I’d leave a note or something—either way, I’m not prepared for this, searching wildly for a response while my heart thumps against my ribs.
“Answer me,” he insists, his voice like the crack of a whip. “Where do you think you’re going? What’s all of this?”
I am an adult. It’s time to start acting like one.
Turning slowly, I find him standing in the open doorway. It’s not easy to force myself to ignore the way his fists clench at his sides. Everything about him screams anger; he is barely holding back. “I told you, Dad. I’m going to leave. I’ll be staying with my friend for a little while until I figure something out. This is what I have to do.” I’m actually proud of myself for getting all of that out in a firm voice.
Not that it matters. He lifts his lip in a sneer before snarling, “I told you that is not going to happen. What is it going to take to get through to you?” Lunging into the room, he takes one of my packed suitcases and unzips it before I can react.
“No! Please!” I beg, but he doesn’t hear me, too busy taking out handfuls of clothes and throwing them around the room. Dresses, bras, panties, it doesn’t matter. He puts his hands on all of it before strewing items everywhere.
And while he does, he screams, “This is where you live! This is where you stay! You are going nowhere!” He whirls on me, his eyes full of hatred, and all I can do is fall back a step. He’s going to hit me. I know it. My whole body tenses in preparation before I back up another step, and another, looking around for something to defend myself with. What am I going to use, a pillow?
“Listen to me,” he grits out, narrowing his eyes into slits while his face goes a dark shade of red. “You are not going anywhere. You are staying here even if I have to lock you in.”
A slow smile spreads across his face. “In fact, that’s not a bad idea. I have things to do tonight, but you’re staying right here.”