Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 127146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Jackie is packing her bag at the table and freezes when I enter. "Oh! I thought you were with your mom all day?"
"She is already tired of me, so I decided to give her a little space. Apparently, there is a fine line between hovering and caring."
She sits at the table, and I avoid looking at the scarred wood so I don't remember how Drew's hands felt holding me down there.
I swallow hard and give my friend a smile. "Anyway, I should get some studying done."
She nods, her eyes soft, her smile gentle. "Do you want to talk about it? How is she doing?"
I throw my shoulders back and set my purse on the table by her bag. "She's fine. Weak from the meds and the illness, but she's doing better and will improve once we start these new meds."
"How does she feel about some experimental trial?" There's something in her tone that I can't pinpoint, and I don't want to even try.
"Well, she's tired. But she will be happy once it starts working and she's still alive. Otherwise..." I can't say the words, a lump stuck in my throat. "Otherwise, we don't have much time left together."
She surges up and comes around to take my hands. She's a little shorter than me, so I'm staring into her eyes.
"Oh honey, it'll be okay. It'll all be okay."
I want her to promise. I want the world to promise that I'll get to keep my mom. She's the only thing I have left in this world, and I can't lose her too.
Instead, I sigh and squeeze her hands, then release her. "Yeah, it'll be okay. We start the new drugs and see how it goes. It has to be okay."
She returns to packing her bag, one eye on me and the other on her stuff. "Oh, I meant to ask if you're busy next weekend."
It's my turn to sit, and I tug my cell phone out of my pocket to check my calendar. "Lord Drew hasn't requested my presence yet, so I think so. Why? What's up?"
"I'm working with a temp agency to do some catering. Like serving, cleaning, that sort of thing. It's for a big law firm in town, and they always tip well for these things, especially if you are the one to keep the liquor flowing."
I snort. "And you always seem to come home with a couple of bottles of that overpriced liquor."
"I was thinking, if you were free, you might want to come? It'll be so much better with you there. The food should be good too. It's from that restaurant uptown neither of us can afford."
I'll likely be with Mom for the weekend, getting a head start on cleaning and prepping so I only have to stop by after classes. Still, I have plenty of studying I could be doing. "I shouldn't."
She braces her hands on the table and leans in. "Do you know how much money I make at these events? More than I need for a month in one fucking night. You have to come, Bel."
One night for a month of pay does sound like a good idea. I could get a head start on money and maybe back Drew down on his studying if I need to. He won't take that news well, though.
"Please. It will be so much more fun if you are there. I'll even give you my tips. For your mom, of course."
I lay my head on the table. "Fine. Fine. I'll be there."
CHAPTER 27
DREW
There are days I don't want to see my father, and days I really don't want to see my father. The second I spot the idling limo outside The Mill, the day becomes the latter. With a sigh, I take my time picking up my boots, sliding them onto my feet, and grabbing a jacket. Drawing out the time I leave him waiting is dangerous, but it's really all the power I have in the relationship with him...for now.
One day, I'll get away from him, and make that bastard pay for what he's put Mom and me through over the years. Pay for the way he portrays himself as the perfect father and businessman. I know the truth, and eventually, so will everyone else.
Lee and Aries wander down the stairs into the foyer and eye me slowly while I’m tying my boots on the bench by the door. Sports equipment is scattered on the floor around me, so there's really only enough room for this one spot on the bench at the moment.
Aries rubs the back of his neck and leans to see the car idling in the drive. "Your dad?"
I grunt more than answer. Lee frowns, and they share a glance before both of them direct their attention back to me. I sit up straighter, my back pressed against the wall.