Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 101796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
It’s pretty obvious he was too busy imagining what he would do to get back at me to actually do the smart thing and give me a call. It was one thing for me not to bother calling him once I knew he had already left for school the other day, but this was different. He was just looking for a reason to be pissed at me, and it blinded him to common sense.
Am I going to say that out loud? Sure, why not tap dance on a field full of landmines while I’m at it?
“Let me guess,” he mutters, folding his arms. God, he is overwhelming—so much that I have to consciously hold myself together in front of him. He makes me feel so small, and I already felt small enough. “Since there’s only two people I can imagine who would actually talk to you, you went out someplace with Wren and Maya? Don’t flatter yourself into thinking that means you’re worth anything. They’re just nice girls. They would do the same thing for anybody.”
He’s right, of course. I already knew that. That doesn’t mean I needed to hear it. Something within me aches.
“Why don’t you think about that while you’re alone here in your room?” He pushes his way past me, but not before hip-checking my dresser hard enough to make everything on top of it either fall over or roll off onto the floor—including the one and only memento I have from my grandma, who was always more of a mother to me than Mom ever was. Her beautiful porcelain music box tumbles to the floor and smashes against the wood, destroying what’s left of my heart all at once. Tears fill my eyes before I can help it as I stare down in disbelief at the pretty, painted porcelain now in tiny pieces.
“Whoops.” That’s all Carter says before striding from the room, snorting softly on his way across the hall while I curse the day Mom met Paul.
Forget that. I curse the day I was born.
SEVEN
Carter
“Isn’t this nice?” I swear, Dad is trying like hell to crack his teeth, and he’ll succeed if he doesn’t stop smiling so hard. “I could get used to this.”
An early dinner at a fast casual Mexican restaurant? Yes, we have definitely hit the peak of excitement around here. It takes a lot not to laugh in his face.
Really, the only thing keeping me from doing that is reminding myself he’s going away for the weekend after we get home, and I would rather not have anything getting in the way of that. I’m not trying to spread the word that the party is canceled or anything. There’s no way we’d be able to get the word out to everyone. Not the way Tiana talks. Half the world probably knows by now.
“This is nice, isn’t it?” Like Irene gives a shit. She’s ready to settle in on a beach somewhere—she’s even wearing a bikini under her sundress. The thin straps are visible every time she moves. “And if anything, it makes me look better. It’s already hard enough for people to believe I gave birth to one baby. If they see me with two kids, they’ll be even more surprised I was able to keep my body in shape.”
She’s had a little too much wine, already pregaming for her trip. For once, I have to adopt Elliana’s method of staring at my plate like it’s the most fascinating thing ever. It’s either that or burst out laughing, something I doubt Dad will appreciate. Hold it together. They’ll be gone soon.
Staring at my plate has other benefits. For starters, not having to see the look Dad gives Irene when he lets out a little growl of approval. Jesus, save me from this. Let somebody drive through the front window or something.
There’s a second or two where I almost wish I could stand Elliana, practically wedged in the corner of the booth. This is one of those moments where we could have looked at each other and rolled our eyes, but instead, I would rather use the spoon on the table to scoop out my eyeballs. That’s pretty much how I feel about her right now. Not that she’s done anything to change my opinion.
After clearing his throat, Dad manages to pry his attention off his wife. “So, do you have any plans this weekend?”
The idea of Elliana having plans comes closer than ever to making me laugh. “Not really,” I tell him, while until a few minutes ago I was making a list in my head of what everybody’s supposed to bring. “I’m going to lie low.”
“Really?” My wicked stepsister opens her mouth for the first time since before we arrived at the restaurant. “I thought I heard people talking about something big going on this weekend.”