Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 97337 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97337 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Now all I could do was count down the time I had left before college begins and what we were going to do in the meantime. I may have stopped the flow of gossip for now, but I don’t kid myself that it’s going to end there. Not unless I take care of Robert. But I guess I at least wanted my family to be on my side.
“Where are you going?” I hadn’t realized I’d gotten to my feet until mom’s words stopped me.
“This was my doing. Right now she’s sitting at home alone, scared and probably feeling as low as she can.” Knowing her that might not be far from the truth.
“So what, you’re going to her?”
“Yeah mom I am. I guess I expected too much.”
“Drake, you can’t just drop a bombshell like that in our laps and expect us to be happy for you.”
“You’re right, I can’t, but I’m an adult and I have to take responsibility for my actions.”
I didn’t feel anger, or regret, not even disappointment. I just knew what I needed to do. If my own mom felt this way about her, I can only imagine what everyone else in this town were going to think and feel once the word got out. I didn’t kid myself that some wouldn’t disregard the story I’d spread and draw their own conclusions. What a mess.
I ran up the stairs and took a quick shower. The growling of my stomach while getting dressed reminded me that I hadn’t eaten, but I couldn’t eat a thing now if my life depended on it. I packed a bag and headed back downstairs.
They were both still sitting where I’d left them when I walked in to tell them I was leaving. I leaned down and kissed mom on the cheek and the mere fact that she didn’t pull away gave me hope. Dad just gave me one of his understanding looks and a slight nod and I gave him the ‘I expect you to work on her’ look back.
I called her as soon as I got into the truck then sped my way over there. There was something very freeing about not having to sneak around anymore and I wondered if maybe I’d made things worst by not coming clean with my folks from the very beginning.
But how was I to know that I’d feel this way this soon, and what’s more, that that idiot would force my hand? I don’t even know how she feels about this whole thing, other than that the one thing she’d been afraid of had somewhat come to pass.
She was waiting for me at the door when I drove up. “Give me your car key.” I held out my hand and waited while she turned around to get it. I pulled her car out of the driveway then got back in my truck and drove it around back where it was hidden, before pulling her car back where it was.
She didn’t look half as bad as I’d expected, but that shine she’d worn the last time I left her here was gone. I knew shit was serious when I was more interested in comforting her than fucking. So without another word I lifted her and headed for the sofa in the living room.
She sat curled into my lap for the first few minutes, neither of us saying a word. “I told my parents about us.” She damn near flew off my lap but I held her in place with my arm around her middle. “Stay still!”
“I had to tell them. If we’re going to get ahead of this thing, we need them on our side.”
“What did they say?” I didn’t want to lie to her, but I didn’t want her to feel any worse than she already did either.
“They’re going to need some time to get used to the idea, but remember what I told you. No matter what happens, I’ll take care of you, you don’t need to worry.” I don’t know if she believed me or not, but it took her a while to relax and let me hold her without stiffening up in my arms.
“Does your mom hate me? I bet she does.”
“She doesn’t hate you, she just… she needs time to process all this. It’s my fault. I didn’t give it enough thought. I figured because of the way I feel about you that she’d just be accepting. But I don’t want you to worry, mom will come around, I know her.”
That’s the hope I’m holding onto, that the woman I know would see past the fact that Lizzie is my teacher and give me the benefit of the doubt. The fact that she didn’t try to stop me from coming over here is encouraging, though I’m sure she knew she wouldn’t have been able to once my mind was made up.