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)
“One thing I’ve never had to worry about is Elliana’s grades.” Wow. It almost sounds like Irene is trying to compliment her daughter. That can’t be right. Since everything has to be about her.
“I’m sure with Carter to show you around, you won’t have any problem meeting new people and making friends.” Dad is too busy winking at Irene like he’s trying to reassure her to see my mouth falling open. What is it with him making promises for me, deciding what I’m going to do, what will or will not be a problem? The fuck? It’s like he’s had a personality transplant.
“I’m not sure I should.” Putting butter on a piece of toast gives me something to do with my hands other than letting them shake with rage. When I end up tearing the bread because I’m pressing too hard, I have to set the whole thing down on my plate.
“Why not?” There’s an edge to his question. It makes me lift my gaze to meet his from across the round table in the kitchen’s breakfast nook. The sunshine streaming in through the window to his left makes his eyes sparkle, but there’s nothing cheerful in them. “Are you so busy you can’t introduce your stepsister to your friends?”
At least he’s only calling her my stepsister this time. Maybe he finally figured out he was taking things too far. “It’s not that I’m busy. But…”
I have to ask. And since the girl we’re talking about is staring at her plate like it’s the most interesting thing she’s ever seen instead of speaking up for herself or even participating, I’m the only one who’s going to point this out. “Is that what she wants? For me to introduce her around? Maybe we should find that out first.”
He doesn’t blink before asking, “Why wouldn’t she want that?”
Jesus Christ. He’s either trying his damnedest to be oblivious, or he really has lost his mind. I’m not even sure anymore.
“Forget it. Whatever.” I shouldn’t have said anything. He doesn’t get it. He refuses to.
Obviously, Irene isn’t cool with the fact that Dad has stopped paying attention to her for an entire thirty seconds. She leans across the table, tits ready to fall out of her low-cut shirt, to tap her obnoxious fingernails against his arm. I don’t know how she manages to do anything with nails that long. “Did you tell Carter yet?”
I swear to God, if she’s pregnant, I will flip this fucking table.
Dad’s face brightens right away. “We’re going on a little trip this coming weekend, the two of us,” he explains. “I expect you to be on your best behavior while we’re gone.”
An entire weekend where I won’t have to breathe the same air as the gold-digging whore? The day is finally starting to look up, even if it makes me sick to think of how soon she’ll be spending more of Dad’s money when she did nothing to earn it. It’s one thing for him to support me—I’m his son, and I’m not walking around asking for elaborate weddings and expensive trips.
“Have a good time,” I murmur, forcing a tiny grin before finishing my food. I need to get out of here before I say something I can’t take back. If there’s one thing I won’t accept, it’s letting a couple of gold diggers ruin my family. And no matter what Dad says, we were a family before he met Irene.
I’m on my way to the sink with my plate when Dad speaks behind me. “I guess you’ll need a ride to school.” He’s not talking to me. I have a car.
A look over my shoulder tells me the freak only nods with her shoulders up around her ears. It’s like she’s always in the middle of flinching. What the fuck is she flinching away from? Disgust is flowing through my veins like the water flowing over my plate before I leave it in the dishwasher—one of the few chores I have to do around here.
“Carter will drive you.” I close my eyes and grit my teeth, facing away from them while Dad once again offers my services without asking first.
“That would be so sweet.” Irene simpers. Lucky me, turning around just in time to watch her stretch her body across the table to give him a big, sloppy kiss.
I might throw up here and now.
After clearing my throat to remind them they aren’t alone in the room, I grunt, “I’m ready to go.” My backpack is waiting by the front door, so after a quick nod to everyone, I head that way. If the girl wants to get to school, she’ll follow.
“Carter.” Dad catches me in the hall outside the kitchen, and I stop, rolling my eyes at the ceiling before turning his way. He holds a finger to his lips before jerking his head toward the dining room, then looks behind him to make sure Irene isn’t lurking before joining me by the table.