Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 40128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 201(@200wpm)___ 161(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 201(@200wpm)___ 161(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
Then, the last day before school, he sent me another message.
Behave, my raven. I’m watching, and I’ll know. The second you turn eighteen, I’ll make you pay for all your transgressions. I’ll miss you and will visit during Christmas break. Be a good girl, and I’ll give you your present early.
I almost want to piss him off and be a bad girl, but it’s not who I am. Besides, my dad would lose his shit and probably kill any man that comes around me. I consider dying my hair, getting some highlights, or doing something wild that would freak him out, but I pass. I love it when he calls me Raven. “I wanted to take off some length and touch up my bangs.”
“Sounds good.” It doesn’t take Maria long to clean me up. As I go to pay the bill, she stops me. “Your tab is taken care of.”
“What?”
Mrs. Steele winks at me. I try to give her a tip, but she stops me.
“We’re good, and by the way—you look fabulous.” I blush again, adding more color to my rounded face. The bangs add a dimension to me that I love. “I need a pic to add to my website.” She grins and snaps a quick couple of shots before I can argue. Smiling, she gives me a hug.
The timer goes off. “Sorry, I have to get these off before I get in trouble.” She grits her teeth and walks with Mrs. Steele to the wash stations. I wave to both ladies before leaving. Chrissy gives me a dirty look, rolling her eyes as I pass her station.
****
“Dad, why are there extra guards on me?”
“No more than any of the other young girls in the family,” he mutters. We all have a level of security.
“That’s not true, and you know it. Is there something you’re not telling me? Do you have a dangerous case or something?”
“No. I’m telling you that you’re completely safe and they’re just looking after you. So, have you filled out your college applications?” I want to say that I have no interest in college, but my father is so successful, and he’d be disappointed in me if I wasn’t going to school. What I really want is Will to come back and keep his promise, but how can I believe it? It’s almost Christmas, and I haven’t heard a word from him. Not even a simple text. He can’t be that busy unless girls are keeping him occupied. The thought sends my stomach rolling, and I’m immediately nauseous.
I take a look at my phone, pretending to check something before answering, “I have looked into some, but I haven’t narrowed any down at the moment.”
“Well, then, let me know if you need any help.”
“Okay, Daddy.” The doorbell rings, and he goes to answer it. When he does, he comes back a moment later, carrying an insanely large red box with a big bow on it.
“Sweetheart, you have an early Christmas present.”
“Are you sure it’s safe?”
“Yes.” My eyes narrow at my overly suspicious father. I rush to the front window, but I’m only quick enough to see the tail end of a very familiar vehicle—Will’s.
“Was that Will?” I question.
“Yes, but he had to leave.” My heart races and sinks just as fast.
“Of course he did,” I sigh, turning my attention to the massive box in the middle of the family room, taking up way too much space when all I want is that jerk who drove away. It’s been months since we’ve seen each other, and he didn’t have the decency to even say hello to me. The longer I stare at the red box, I let my frustration at his abandonment fade and wonder what could be in there.
“Well, do you want it now, or should we put it beside the tree?” my father asks, chuckling under his breath.
I whip my head his way, wanting an outlet for my anger. “I have a damn phone, and the man hasn’t called me once, and he’s only texted me a handful of times.”
“You’re only seventeen, and he’s almost twenty-one. He’s lucky that his father’s one of my best friends because I know damn well what that man is thinking when he looks at you.” A deep heat spreads over my face. “It’s best that he keeps his distance, or I might forget my twenty-five-year friendship with Boomer.” Oh. Has my father warned Will to stay away from me?
My head twists quickly away toward my gift so he can’t read my arousal. “I’ll open the present now.”
“I’ll go in the other room and check on your mother to see if she needs help with dinner.” Could this get any more embarrassing?
“Okay.” I grab the bow on the massive box that’s bigger than me. As I take off the top, the sides come down to reveal a giant, light brown teddy bear wearing a necklace with a diamond book charm. I unclasp the necklace and see that the book opens, and inside is a message written in a beautiful font: