Page 57 of His Flawed Ride

“Only cause she was already in love with our president.”

“Let’s stop talking about my old lady before I make yours a widow and…” to me he adds, “your kid an orphan.”

Pushing up from my seat, I cross the bar and save Annie from the prospect before he can get himself in trouble.

“I thought you were resting?”

“I was bored.”

I’ve got months of keeping her entertained and I’m already exhausted.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Lily

Idon’t know what’s worse. Sleeping and being trapped in nightmares or being awake and remembering every second of the terror Hopper enjoyed inflicting upon me. The last time I woke, I wasn’t in Slade’s spare room. I was in a small bedroom with soft green tones on the wall and coffee cream curtains, drawn together to shield from the bright sun. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve drifted off. But this time, my mind is awake and Harper hovers close by.

“Mom?”

I’m taken back to all the times my daughter has had to look after me, taking on the role of a mother.

“Hmm?”

“It’s time to take your painkillers and you need to drink. I’ve made you a shake, so you don’t need to worry about trying to eat yet.”

A hot tear rolls down the side of my face as I turn my head away from her voice.

“I don’t want you to see me like this,” I say slowly.

“Yeah, well, why change the habit of a lifetime. Who knows how you heal better than me, huh?”

She’s right but this is what I didn’t want. A wave of depression ripples through me. I shut my eyes and keep them closed for so long I drift off again.

I’m alone when I next wake and I’m hit with a memory from when Harper was seven years old.

“What the hell are you doing?” I whisper shriek.

Aaron flinches then closes Harper’s bedroom door. He walks toward me then shoves me into the wall and storms into our bedroom. “I was just checking on her, thought I heard her moving around,” he tells me as I follow after him.

“You didn’t hear shit! What were you doing?” I demand.

He doesn’t answer me, but I know. It was impossible to miss how he was watching her this evening as she was showing me her new dresses for the new school year.

“You’re one of those sickos, aren’t ya!”

He spins round, his face contorted with such anger I take a step back. My brother is always telling me my mouth will get me into trouble, but on this occasion, I couldn’t give a shit.

“You were watching her. Why?”

“I told you! I thought I heard her, so I checked on her. You keep insinuating what you’re insinuating and I’m gonna shut that mouth of yours up for good.”

My gut is screaming to get out of here. For once, luck is on my side.

“I’m outta here.”

I step to the side as he leaves and once I hear his truck backing out of the drive, I fly into action. This isn’t the first time I’ve had to pack my shit fast and get the hell out of dodge. My things are thrown into my case, and I dump it in the hall.

I creep into Harper’s room and pack her clothes and the few toys she hasn’t outgrown yet.