Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 179(@200wpm)___ 143(@250wpm)___ 119(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 179(@200wpm)___ 143(@250wpm)___ 119(@300wpm)
“You’re pouting.” He laughs even harder. “I’m sorry,” he gets out through his laughter somehow.
“You sound like it,” I say dryly.
“It’s just cute.” He sighs, catching his breath. “And really nice. She’s going to be good for you.”
“But am I good for her?” Teddy is so full of life and sweetness. She still has so many things in life to experience. Would I be robbing her of those because I want to have her all to myself? I don’t want to hold her back, but I also know that I’ll never be able to let her go.
“Yeah, I think you’re good for her.” Jack leans back in his chair. “The girl takes a lot on. Always watching over everyone. You’ll watch over her.”
“But what if I want her all to myself?”
"I don't think stealing her away every now and then will be a bad thing. In fact, I think it might be good for her.”
“You’re encouraging a beast inside of me that I am fighting to control.” The irrational part of me isn’t talking about stealing her away every now and then, but forever.
“I can only tell you what I believe. You do what you will with that information.” He shrugs.
An email from Zero pops up with more information on the Derrick kid from her school. I’d requested additional information, and I knew Zero could get everything and more. He doesn’t let me down.
His note on the email, stating that I should take a look at this, raises my hackles. I click on the kid’s phone data he sent over. I see a series of pictures of Teddy that were taken from his phone. I can tell from all of them that she has no clue that it’s even happening.
They aren’t only at school but at the diner and even the store, along with a few in other places. I can tell he was trying to get one up her skirt but failed. My blood starts to boil. I keep clicking, wanting to see it all.
It shows how often he goes to her social media. There are days when he visits her social media pages more than fifty times, which is absurd considering that Teddy's social media posts appear to be made only four times a year.
His porn searches have my blood going from boiling to ice cold. This kid seems to have a dark side, and from his other searches, he may be plotting something. I’m out of my chair, grabbing my phone. I can’t sit here.
She’s with that sick bastard at school. I know there are people everywhere there, but that doesn’t mean shit. My Teddy is sweet and trusting. He could lure her somewhere under the guise that he needs help. Endless possibilities flood my mind. None of them are doing anything to calm me down.
“You okay?” Jack asks as I head towards the office door.
“No,” I tell him, not stopping. In fact, I don’t stop until I’m pulling into the school's parking lot. I get out and glance around. Not much has changed.
I stand there not sure what the fuck I’m going to do now. To get into the school you have to go through the main office; once school hours start, the doors lock. You can only exit.
“Oh my gosh, West Haven, is that you?” Up pops a girl with dark-reddish hair from behind the front desk. She appears to be around my age. Her face softens. “I was sorry to hear about your brother.”
“That makes one of us.” Her brows rise. This town isn’t naïve to the fact that Karl was an asshole who threw money around to get what he wanted. I’m sure everyone has also heard rumors of why I moved away and never came back until now too.
“Well, ah—” she stumbles, trying to find her words after my insensitive comment. “You were always the nicer Haven.”
That may be true, but it doesn't imply that I was kind. I kept to myself. I can’t place this girl's name, but we must have gone to school together.
“Thanks,” I tell her. “I wanted to swing by since I’m Willa and Rich’s guardian now.”
“I can see if Principal Roberts has a few minutes to meet with you. He’s got a pretty packed schedule today, but I’m sure if I tell him it’s you that he’ll make time.”
“Tell him I won’t take up too much of his time.” The last thing I want to do is meet with the principal, but I know it’s a necessity if I want to check on Teddy today.
Shelly's nameplate on her desk catches my eye as she steps away, but she still doesn't resonate with me. A few seconds later, Principal Roberts is coming out of his office with Shelly trailing behind him.
“Mr. Haven.” He holds his hand out to me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”