Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95776 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95776 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“I don’t understand what the problem is.”
Dad leans back on his chair and stares at the ceiling before muttering under his breath, “Do I really need to spell everything out for you?”
His words feel like a backhanded smack. My jaw locks as heat floods my cheeks. “Yeah, it would be helpful if you did.”
With an exasperated sigh, he glowers at me like I’m ten kinds of stupid. It only serves to piss me off more. “Mia’s a nice girl. A good girl. The last thing I need is for you to mess with her head and hurt her.”
“Why would I do that?” A pit the size of Rhode Island settles at the bottom of my gut.
A knowing smile tilts the corners of his lips. “Come on, Beck,” his voice trails off as he shrugs. “You’re not the most focused guy in the world. Especially where the ladies are concerned. You’ve spent the last couple of years screwing your way through this town and other than me telling you to be careful, I haven’t said a damn word about it.”
“Mia is different,” I say through stiff lips.
“Of course, she is.” There’s a pause. “Which is exactly why she’s not for you.”
Even though I shouldn’t be surprised by the comment, I am. This entire conversation has blown me away.
“And why is that?” I grit between clenched teeth, forcing him to admit the truth.
The silence between us stretches until it becomes almost painful.
“Mia deserves a guy who has his head on straight and that’s not you. She needs someone like your brother.” He waves a hand airily as if he hasn’t just crushed my spirit. “Someone solid.”
So…now I’m not solid?
My ADHD makes me a wild card? Someone unworthy?
His comments stun me into silence. For once in my life, I have no idea how to respond.
Dad must realize he’s overstepped because he clears his throat and attempts to backtrack. “Look, Beckett, I love you. You know that, right?”
Laughter bubbles up in my throat.
Really?
After everything he said?
That’s how we’re going to wrap up this conversation?
With a—hey, buddy…you’re an idiot, but you’re our idiot.
My parents think I’m a fuckup who will never amount to diddly squat. And I sure as hell aren’t worthy of a girl like Mia.
“I’m grateful you have so much athletic talent or I don’t know what the hell you would do with your life.”
Thank fuck I’m sitting for that backhanded compliment.
Unable to listen to another word of his bullshit, I pop to my feet. “Are we done here?” I stare at the space above his shoulder, not wanting to make eye contact.
Fuck that guy.
“Yeah, we’re done,” he sighs.
“Great.” Five strides and I’m at the door. I need to get out of here before I lose my shit.
“Beck…”
My step falters and my shoulders stiffen, but I don’t turn around. “Yeah?”
“Make sure you stay away from Mia. I don’t need any problems with her parents. And that’s exactly what I’ll get if you go sniffing around her.”
When I fail to respond, his voice sharpens. “Did you hear me?”
“Loud and clear.”
And then I’m gone, disappearing through the hallway and taking the stairs two at a time before turning down the hall and slamming the door to my room. I need a joint so I can zone out and forget about the garbage my father just spewed.
For a day that started out so well, it sure turned to shit in the blink of an eye.
Chapter Five
Mia
I swipe my phone from the nightstand beside the bed and read the last text from Alyssa. I fully expected her to announce that after all these years, she had her dirty little way with Colton, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. Apparently, their little make out sess in the pool didn’t go any further than that.
I haven’t mentioned what happened with Beck. It feels too intimate to share through text message. For the time being, I want to keep the news to myself. It’s been hours and I’m still in a state of shock that we had sex.
I’m no longer a virgin.
That seems crazy.
Alyssa will go off the deep end when I share the news with her.
As I’m replying to Alyssa’s text, something pings against the bedroom window. I startle and my head whips up. A shiver of unease slithers down my spine. I stare at the window, my ears pricked for the slightest noise, but there’s nothing.
Thirty seconds later, and there’s another plink against the glass.
Someone or something has to be out there.
I rise from the bed and tiptoe my way across the carpeted floor before squinting into the darkness. When a ghostly face materializes out of nowhere, I scream at the top of my lungs and stumble back a few steps.
Large palms press against the glass as the face looms closer.
I slap a hand across my mouth as my heart threatens to explode from my chest.