Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83221 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83221 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“Hey,” I say in greeting. “I see you found your clutch.”
Her eyes narrow on me. When she’s not zoned out on Xanax or whatever is helping her cope for the day, she can be kind of scary. It’s what made her a fantastic attorney before she met Darren.
“What’s going on with you?”
I gape at her in disbelief. “What?”
“First that nonsense with your brother and then—”
“My brother? Mom, he is not my brother.” My voice is shrill and shaking. “He’s my stepbrother.”
“Don’t be a child, Willa. This is exactly what I’m talking about. Your dramatics are always over-the-top.”
I’m stunned, which is dumb because it’s not surprising. When it comes to Darren and Levi, she’s always sided with them. It’s like, when she married Darren, she turned into someone else. Someone pliable. Whatever Darren wanted, Darren got. She wasn’t like this when Dad was alive, nor after when it was just the two of us. Something changed.
“Mom,” I croak out. “I’m not being dramatic.”
Her lips press together as she disregards my comment. I notice, despite her flawless look, her hands tremble slightly. “I’m going to a gala with Darren tonight. Get along with Levi, please. We have enough going on in our lives without you two adding to it.”
“He took pictures of me, Mom. While I slept.” Hot tears burn at my eyes, but I’m too angry to let them fall. Why is she taking their side? “He violated me.”
“Enough,” Mom snaps, her voice rising a few octaves. “Don’t you think you’re blowing this a little out of proportion?”
“He had half-naked pictures of me on his phone and was showing his friends!” I cry out, choking on a sob. “My teacher saw them!”
She flinches at my words. Barely. Almost imperceptible. Then, she straightens her spine and points a manicured finger toward my bedroom. “You live in the house with a teenage boy. Learn to lock your door at night.”
“Mom…”
“I can’t afford for you to ruin my marriage. Not now.”
I shake my head in confusion, tears racing down my cheeks. Unable to face her any longer, I turn on my heel and run to my bedroom. Slamming the door shut, I make sure to throw the lock, that Levi no doubt can pick, and then push my nightstand in front of it. I toss my backpack to the floor and fall face first onto the bed.
I’m eighteen now.
I should just pack my stuff and leave.
It’s silent and dark when I wake, but when I check my phone, I realize it’s only seven. Mom and Darren must be at their gala and Levi, if home, is being quiet. I take a quick shower, ignore my grumbling stomach, and crawl back into bed.
I have many missed texts from Callum.
Callum: Willa, we can talk about this.
Two missed calls follow that text.
Callum: I get that you’re upset with me, but don’t ignore me. We were having a discussion.
Another missed call.
Callum: Let me know that you’re okay. Please.
His concern makes me physically ache. My mom doesn’t care, but Callum does. Even if he doesn’t want to let our feelings take us somewhere together, he still cares about my well-being. I finally text him back.
Me: I’m okay.
Callum: Thank fuck.
Me: Sorry I left you hanging. I had a fight with my mom.
The phone starts ringing, but it’s Callum calling me on FaceTime. I panic for a second, knowing he’ll see me look like a pathetic mess. With a sigh, I answer it anyway. I need to hear his voice. He’ll have to get over my messy, wet hair and bloodshot eyes.
I mash the accept button and then his handsome face fills the screen. “Hi.”
His brows crash together. “You’ve been crying.”
“Yeah.” I swallow hard, looking away from his penetrating stare. “It’s been a rough day.”
“Is that why you’re in bed so early?”
“I had to get away from her—from them.” A humorless laugh escapes me. “She actually said I need to remember to lock my door.”
The line goes silent.
“I lock it, Callum. I do. He obviously gets in anyway.” Hysteria crawls up my throat. “The best I can do now is block the door with my nightstand.”
He growls. My sexy teacher growls like he’s a mountain lion or a bear or a rabid wolf.
“Your home is supposed to be safe,” he bites out, fury crackling through the line. “You shouldn’t have to barricade your door.”
“I have no choice.”
“Have you been locked away in your room since you got home from school?”
“Yep,” I say with a nod.
He scowls, his blue eyes flashing with rage. “I have to go.”
And then the call drops.
Umm, what?
I sit in silence for several moments, wondering what would make Callum hang up on me. Did I make him mad? No, he was most definitely angry on my behalf. I try and text him.
Me: That was abrupt…
Nothing.
This really has been the worst day. First the fight with my mom and now all these mixed messages with Callum. On top of that, I’m getting a serious headache from skipping dinner. All I want to do is roll over, bury my face in my pillow, and forget this day even happened. I’m not sure how long I lie there, obsessing over the day’s events, but I’m startled when I hear a tap on glass.