Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 25941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Kyle pulls out his own phone with a smug expression on his face. My heart starts to pound so hard I’m sure everyone can hear it, but no one is paying attention. My little corner of the library is tucked away. My phone starts to go off, and I see texts from Kyle pop up. I already know from the look on his face he’s got something I’m not going to want to see.
Knowing I don’t have much of a choice, I reach out and click the messages. My stomach drops when I see pictures of Walsh and me from this morning. “Please,” I whisper as tears sting my eyes.
“This would be embarrassing for your sister’s husband. He’s a well-respected businessman. Not to mention I’m sure Walsh’s career would be ruined. Fooling around with a girl still in high school? You might be eighteen, but you’re still teenage pussy.” I gasp at his crudeness.
It’s so different when Walsh says dirty things to me. This is cruel. “What do you want?”
“I want you.”
I’m already shaking my head before he’s even finished. “I’m not having sex with you.”
“No, but you can break things off with Walsh and tell him you made a mistake. You can tell him you want to be with me.” Kyle has lost his freaking mind. I think more than anything it’s his ego and pride that’s on the line. “What will it be?”
I fight back tears, not wanting to cry in front of Kyle. “I’ll break things off with Walsh.” The words make me ache as I say them, and Kyle smiles before licking his lips.
“I’ll pick you up tonight at seven. Be ready and don’t wear the stupid glasses.” He turns and walks away while I stare at his back until he disappears.
Shoving all my things in my bag, I call Graham and ask him to come pick me up. I know my sister and Luke went into the city for a doctor's appointment because she’s getting an ultrasound today. Then Luke is taking her out to dinner and dancing. Kat loves to go dancing, and I’d already told her I’d be out for the night with a new friend. She just asked for me to send the address and to be safe.
My hands shake as I text Walsh.
Me: Something came up. I can’t make it tonight.
Walsh: Why. What’s come up? Are you okay?
Me: Family stuff
My phone starts to ring in my hand, and Walsh’s name lights up. I hurry out of the library and out the main doors of the school. My phone only stops ringing to start again. If Walsh is anything, it’s relentless. That’s what worries me. I don’t think he would care if he ruined his career. He might be fine with it at first, but he’d grow to resent me. Then there is still my sister and Luke.
“Hey,” I say, answering it.
“What’s going on?”
“I can’t do this.”
“Can’t do what?” His tone turns firm.
“I need to think, please.” A sob escapes.
“I’m coming to you.” I hear him moving around.
“No! I’m leaving school now. I just…” I trail off.
“Little flower.” His tone softens. “Everything is going to be okay. I told you that you’re mine. This isn’t some fling. Do you understand that?” He’s only making this harder.
“Walsh,” I breathe.
“I’ll give you some space, but this isn’t over. Understand me?”
“But—”
“No buts. Buts are long gone, little flower. You could already have my baby inside of you.” My hand goes to my stomach, and a longing I didn’t know I had hits me hard. If that’s true, then maybe we could be together. Or it could make everything so much worse.
“I’m sorry,” I say before I end the call and turn my phone off. I’m too weak not to answer him if he calls.
Thankfully, Graham pulls up a few minutes later.
“Nadia, are you okay?” he asks when I get into the car.
“Not really. I just want to go…” I almost say “home.” “Back to the house please.”
“All right.”
“Please don’t worry my sister.” I can tell Graham wants to fight me on this. “I’ll talk to her tomorrow, just let her have today.” Graham nods before pulling away from the school. Maybe I can talk some sense into Kyle tonight and try to make him see reason.
The ride home is torture. As soon as the car stops, I rush inside to my bedroom, and I barely get the door closed before I burst into tears.
Chapter Fourteen
WALSH
“I’m so sorry.” My sister finishes packing the last of Kyle’s things, and I take the bag from her.
“I’m sorry too, but he’s gotta grow up at some point. Maybe this is what it’s going to take.”
I called my sister this morning after dropping off Nadia, and she got on the first plane out. It started because I went to buy Nadia flowers, and when I checked my wallet my credit card was missing. I had to call and report it stolen and then they went through the list of recent charges. Turns out Kyle was using it to buy all kinds of shit without my permission. Deciding it was time to end his stay, my sister's here to take him home.