Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 140742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
After I’m finished cleaning up, I stand under the shower spray for a few more seconds. It usually helps me relax. Today, all it does is bring back awful memories. I switch it off and get dressed. I wonder if my sister is alive, and if so, where she is. I’m not sure how I feel about seeing her ever again, but if she survives this, I’ll make sure she ends up in a prison or mental institution.
There’s no doubt in my mind that this too will soon become another skeleton in the Barlow closet, but unlike the times in the past when family members got off with a slap on the wrist, Mallory will answer for what she’s done. If Tate doesn’t survive, she’s fucked anyway. Our last name goes a long way in Fairview, but this was public and there’s no way people will let her forget what she did.
“I ordered breakfast,” Jackie says when I step out of the bathroom and drop my bag by the couch. She hands me a cup of coffee. “I don’t know how you take it, so I didn’t add anything in. There’s sugar and creamer in the bag, though.”
“This is fine. Thank you.” I take a sip and walk over to Josslyn again to touch her hair and her face.
To remind myself that she’s alive and well.
“You really love her,” Jackie says.
“With everything I am.”
“And you were serious about marrying her,” she says.
“One hundred percent,” I say, looking over at her. “And after the whole, ‘next of kin’ thing yesterday, I plan on doing it very soon.”
Jackie laughs and takes a sip of coffee as she takes a seat in the chair on the other side of Josslyn’s bed. I take a seat as well.
“You know, Tate asked her to marry him,” she says, lowering her coffee. My jaw tics. “Not officially,” she adds, “Unofficially. He didn’t give her a ring or anything, though he said he bought one. He must have asked about six times.”
I scowl. “He’s an asshole.”
“He is.” She nods. “He’s alive, by the way. I’m not sure if you care.”
I nod and take another sip of my coffee. I doubt I’ll ever like the guy, but he’s been through a lot—most of it at the hands of my family—so I’m glad he’s alive.
“She always said no to him,” Jackie continues. “Straight up ‘no.’ Not even an ‘I’ll think about it,’” she says, laughing and shaking her head.
My lips purse. “She should’ve never been with him.”
“She probably wouldn’t have if I hadn’t pushed her,” she says, and my eyes snap back to her. “I was raised to seek safety, not butterflies. Josslyn was always reluctant about that. She wanted the butterflies and the fireworks.” Jackie smiles looking at her daughter. “Good for her.”
“Yeah.” I feel my chest loosen a bit.
“I’m curious as to how she’ll react when you ask her.”
“You and me both,” I say, but I’m not worried. I freeze when Josslyn’s fingers twitch in my hand. I shoot out of my hair, setting the coffee down on the tray behind me. “She just moved. Joss?”
Her fingers twitch again. Jackie sets her coffee down and rushes over to the button. Nurses show up almost immediately. It takes what feels like an eternity, but is probably just a couple of minutes, before Josslyn blinks and moans.
“Is she in pain? Does she have something for pain?” I ask.
One of the nurses clicks something on the IV and keeps checking her vitals. I wait with bated breath for Josslyn to fully open her eyes. When she does, she instantly finds me. Relief hits me like a punch in the gut. Jackie goes to the other side of the bed, but Josslyn keeps her eyes on me. The nurses ask questions, and she nods and shakes her head as she answers. Finally, they leave to get the doctor.
“My God,” Jackie says, crying as she touches her daughter’s other hand, but Josslyn is still staring at me.
“You called me Josie,” she says, her voice hoarse.
It takes me a moment to process that and bark out a laugh. “I knew that would wake you up.”
She smiles, or tries to, but flinches. I freeze again. “My lips are cracked,” she says. “Mom—”
Jackie ignores whatever she’s going to say and starts telling her how worried she was and how many people in the family chat are praying for her. Josslyn listens, but every few seconds, she glances at me.
“Mom, can you ask if I can have water please?” she says, clearing her throat.
“Of course.” Jackie’s eyes widen and she runs off.
I sit back down, scoot the chair closer to her, and press my lips against the back of it. Josslyn looks at me with that soft smile that brings me to my knees.
“You own me, you know that?” I say against her hand.