Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94653 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94653 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
“Now get dressed and I’ll take you home.”
Chapter 27
Fallyn
“We have an interested buyer,” Mom announces. “They just submitted an offer.”
“Really?” Even though I know that selling the house is for the best, I still have mixed feelings. “That’s good news.”
“Yeah, it is.” There’s a sigh. “I just wish that none of this were necessary.”
“I know.”
She drops her voice to more of a hushed whisper. “And your father is still trying to figure out a way to reverse the decision. He’s contacted a few different lawyers and spoken to the board members. I don’t think there’s anything he’s going to be able to do.”
I swing away and stare out the window. “Maybe cutting ties completely with the Westervilles is what needs to happen.”
It should have occurred years ago. Then my father’s anger and rage wouldn’t have continued to simmer. We could have all healed instead of being forever stuck in this purgatory.
“I don’t know, Fallyn. I really don’t.” There’s a pause before she changes the subject. “How’s your job at the diner?”
I wince, knowing that at some point, I’ll have to confess the truth. “Um, it’s good.”
“I realize you’re happy about the loan coming through for the semester, but I wouldn’t have minded if you’d returned home for the spring. It would make all of this a little easier to deal with.”
“I really don’t think that’s the case, Mom. It’s better that you only have to worry about the two of you right now.”
“I suppose that’s true.”
When my phone dings with a text, I pull the cell away from my face to glance at the screen.
I’ll pick you up in ten.
My belly spasms.
“Fallyn? Are you still there?”
“Sorry! I need to get going, Mom. But we’ll talk soon, okay?”
“Sure. Love you, honey.”
“Love you, too.”
I stare at the text from Wolf and contemplate my options. After yesterday, I’m nowhere near ready to see him. There are so many conflicting emotions that war inside me. I have no idea what I want.
Or need.
Although, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that the pull I feel for Wolf is even more consuming than when we were younger.
Decision made, I pop my head into Viola’s room. “Hey, would you mind driving me to work?”
She glances at me from where she’s studying at her desk before leaning back and stretching her muscles. Since living together, I see how hard she works to get top grades in school. It also makes me doubly glad I didn’t major in engineering.
Although, it’s not like I was ever in danger of that.
I’ve helped quiz her for a few tests. It’s like staring at a foreign language.
One I never want to learn.
“Sure, I could use a break.”
When she doesn’t rise from her chair, I glance at my phone and clear my throat. “I don’t mean to rush you, but I need to get moving.”
“Oh, sorry!”
I force a smile. “No worries.”
“I wouldn’t want you to be late for your new job.”
And I wouldn’t want to run into Wolf on the way out. He’d probably demand that I go with him, and then he’d let it slip that I sold my V-card to pay this semester’s tuition.
That’s not something I’ve worked up the courage to mention to my cousin.
I know that I should, but still…
It’s humiliating to be in this position.
We both snag our jackets before heading into the hallway. When we pass the stairwell door that leads to the lobby, I shove it open.
“Let’s take the stairs instead. It’ll be faster.”
She shrugs. “Sure.”
As soon as we make it to the first floor of the building, I glance around, relieved that Wolf has yet to arrive. There’s been a few times when he’s been heading up the sidewalk as I’m leaving the complex. I hold my breath as I push through the glass door. Cold air strokes over my cheeks as I burrow into the collar of my jacket. My gaze flies over the parking lot, relieved that his vehicle is nowhere in sight.
With my arm looped through Viola’s, I drag her to her white Jeep.
“Jeez. You really are in a hurry,” she mutters, hastening her pace to keep up with me. “You must really enjoy waitressing there.”
“Yup. Don’t want to be late.”
Less than two minutes later, we pull onto the street and leave the apartment building behind in the rearview mirror. Just as we turn the corner, I catch sight of Wolf’s electric blue Mustang and quickly duck down.
Viola glances at me with a frown. “Are you all right?”
I take a second or two to fumble around on the floor. “Um, yeah. Just dropped my phone under the seat.”
With a shake of her head, her gaze slices to the windshield. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re acting weird. Is there anything you want to talk about? I feel like it’s been a while since we hung out. Maybe we should get Juliette, Stella, Carina, and Britt together for another girls night. The last one was so much fun.”