Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 142764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
So fucking soon.
"Stay away from me, Drew. We're done."
“We will never be done.” I speak through my teeth.
“We are, and honestly, I’d stop trying because desperation doesn’t look good on you.” She steps over me and starts walking toward the door.
“Go to the police, get a restraining order…” I force myself to speak even though my breath is labored. “Tell Sebastian so he can put a bullet in my head because the only way you’ll ever be free of me is if I’m dead.”
“You’re pathetic,” she sneers over her shoulder.
She has no fucking clue. No idea the lengths I will go when it comes to her.
I gasp for air and shift on the floor, swallowing down the pain. "You can run, Wallflower, but you can't hide, not from me."
She pauses at the door, her hand gripping the handle. Then she twists around and stares down at me. There I see a fire in her eyes that threatens to burn me to fucking ash.
"I'm not trying to hide, Drew. I'm right fucking here, and when you can be honest with me, then maybe we can have a real conversation. Until then, we’re done."
When she walks out, I let out another shuddering breath. The roar of the four-wheeler engine fills my ears. Lying flat on that floor, I don't think I've ever been more attracted to her than I am right now. Even in her anger, she's beautiful, and when she directs it at me… Fucking hell, it turns me the fuck on.
My balls ache, and I adjust my still raging hard-on with a twinge of pain.
After a few minutes, I roll over and sit up so I can get the fuck out of this cabin. Memories of Mom laughing with me on the floor before she started to get really sick assault me. This place used to be a sanctuary, but now it’s nothing but a house of horrors.
I stand so fast that I’m hit with a wave of dizziness, but I don’t slow. The pressure on my chest is too much. I barely manage to turn off the lights and fireplace before walking out the door, slamming it closed behind me, hoping none of the memories inside come home with me.
Once outside, everything feels lighter, and after I lock the door, I turn to face the river and listen to the sound of the rushing water.
I smile, staring up at the night sky. Bel thinks she’s calling the shots, but I know she’s simply waiting. Waiting for me to hunt her down and make her mine all over again. I will. I’ll claim her, and when I do, I’ll make sure she understands that nothing and no one will ever come between us again.
10
BEL
School is still taking some getting used to. Things are different in both good and bad ways. Memories of Drew and Jackie overshadow everything. Thankfully, I haven't seen either of them since I restarted classes.
It’s also incredibly lonely. But I guess I’d rather be alone than surrounded by people who don’t care about me.
At least today is Friday, so once the day is over, I’ll be free and won’t have to return for two more days. The tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and I do my best to ignore the desire to peer over my shoulder. It’s been like this for a couple of days now, and the whispers are growing increasingly loud. Then there’s the fact that I can feel the other students’ eyes on me, tracking my movements.
One table over, a leggy brunette sneers at me and snickers about something to one of her friends while I pack my books in my bag. My hair is up in its usual messy bun, my glasses askew as I bend over to grab another book, but my skirt, opaque tights, and soft cashmere sweater are new and fit me perfectly. As does the wool coat and the designer backpack.
Yet somehow, I'm still not good enough for them.
I shove my shiny new laptop into the laptop bag and zip it closed, then shoot the girls a glare and march up the steps toward the door. In the back of my mind, I hear Drew's voice in my head. They can go fuck themselves. At least that’s something we agree on.
Once out in the hall, I sigh and let my shoulders slip down from my ears. My body relaxes all on its own, as if it knows danger is no longer present.
On the corkboard ahead, there’s a flyer, its black ink printed on neon yellow paper. It reads: PARTY AT THE MILL!!!! That must be what had Sebastian’s attention this week since he’s been mostly absent. I know he still has duties required of him by The Mill, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.