Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Dropping my phone in my lap, I look at the TV, trying to get my mind off of marriage and everything it entails. I have to watch ’til the end. I need to know what the Duke decides. My phone dings again, and I glance down.
It’s Tenly.
I bet she saw Flynn speed off.
Opening her text, my brows furrow.
Tenly: I went to see what that noise was and saw your daughter with Layla going down the alley between you and the Gradys’ house. I didn’t know if you knew or if they were being mischievous.
Mouth parted, I listen for Paige moving around upstairs, but the only thing to be heard is the show I’m watching.
“Paige!” I yell, hoping she replies. Seconds tick by, and my stomach cramps in frustration. Please don’t be doing anything horrible. I want to trust you.
Me: Thanks. I’ll look into it.
Taking the path around the house, I peek between mine and the Gradys’ property. A narrow entry creates an alley, where their air conditioning units are. I catch a glimpse of black as Layla tosses her hair over her shoulder. I walk closer, the smell of skunk gets stronger.
Weed.
I know the smell because of the neighbors who lived next to us in our old apartment building. They smoked it every Saturday night at eleven o’clock on the dot. I might dabble in the recreational use from time to time as well, but nobody knows about it. Certainly not Paige.
Walking closer, I finally see Paige. She’s in her bright orange crop top and jean shorts. Layla is dressed in her usual black attire with a striped shirt and black jeans that are so ripped, you can see her black fishnets underneath. They couldn’t be more opposite. Paige hands Layla something and shakes her head, coughing. Layla laughs and easily takes a puff.
“Excuse me, young ladies!” They both snap their head in my direction, the color draining from their faces. Getting closer, I inspect Layla’s hand, smoke creeping between her fingers.
“Hand it over. Now!” I hold my hand out, summoning her to give it to me. Rolling her eyes, she lifts her hand, and I take the rolled-up joint.
“Follow me, ladies.” I walk out the alleyway and stop at the edge of their yard. I so want to go to his house, pound on the door, and accuse his daughter of corrupting mine like he did to me when the girls were out drinking. My eyes fall on Paige. She nearly has tears in her eyes. Wait, they could just be bloodshot. Her arms are crossed defiantly, and she won’t look at me. As unhappy that I am about her smoking weed, I can punish her myself. I don’t need to embarrass her in front of Layla.
“Layla, go home.” I jut my head to the side, conveying that I want her to leave.
“What?” she asks, her tone surprised. I’m sure she thought I would drag them both to the front door and tell on them to Layla’s father, but for the sake of my daughter starting a new life, I won’t.
This time.
“Go home before I change my mind!” Narrowing my eyes, she turns abruptly, nearly tripping on her own two feet as she rushes away.
I turn my head, and Paige’s eyes finally meet mine.
“Your dad is going to have both our heads.” I sigh deeply. “Go to the house.” She marches away, with one heck of a chip on her shoulder. That teenage rebellion seeding through her and making its grand bloom.
Once inside, I slam the door. Heston shoots up off the couch, his face alarmed.
“What’s wrong?”
“Paige was smoking weed with our lovely neighbor, Layla,” I inform him, not sure what to do. I don’t think it’s good for her to be smoking at such a young age, but everyone swears by its medicinal use.
“Where did you even get this?” I demand.
“It doesn’t matter, okay!” she yells back. Her mouth is wrong. Her attitude is wrong. She’s so grounded!
Heston stands and comes over to me and Paige, staring at her with a thousand swords in his eyes.
“Does this family mean so little to you that you think you can run around doing trashy things like this?” he shouts, while Paige looks the other way.
“Answer me!” He grabs her by the chin, forcing her to look at him. Her face turns red, eyes welling with tears.
“Heston, let her go!” I hiss, shocked he would ever dare touch her.
Paige grabs him by the wrist and shoves out of his hold.
“You’re not my father!” Turning, she stomps up the stairs, and I look at Heston, wondering what the hell he was thinking.
“You don’t have the right to put your hands on her.” My voice cracks with emotion, the familiar ache in my chest from when I was with Cam, rearing its dark head.