Page 66 of Mr. Edwards

Lifting my hand, I skim my knuckle down the side of her face, trying to ease her concern. Inside though, I feel like I’m about to pop a damn artery. Never in my life have I felt this kind of rage. Murder is not something I’ve ever thought about. Taking another life seems unfathomable to me, but if this guy were in front of me right now, he’d one hundred percent be leaving in a body bag. I’d tear him limb from limb and have zero regrets.

“Sunshine,” I whisper as I place my lips against her forehead because I don’t know what else to say. Sorry doesn’t seem like a strong enough word. “Did you tell your mom what happened?”

I brace myself for her answer. “Yes,” she whispers, and the sadness I hear in her voice tears at my heart.

“And what did she do?”

“She kicked me out.”

I have no words for that…not a goddamn one.

Chapter 15

Carlee

(13 years old)

“Morning,” Roxy says when I exit my bedroom, heading toward the kitchen area. I pause doing a double take. Not only is it rare to get a greeting from her, but it’s even scarcer to see her up so early.

“Morning,” I reply, eyeing her suspiciously as she sits at the table nursing a cup of coffee.

Today must be a good day. They’re usually few and far between, but in the past couple of weeks, I’ve noticed a change in her. There’s a new guy on the scene of course, and she likes this one because she’s been on her best behavior ever since he came into the picture.

It’s nice to see her happy for a change but to be honest, I’m not a fan of this Bobby guy. He’s nice-looking, I guess, for an older dude. I can see why my mother is attracted to him. He has charisma, a kind of charm that seems to draw you in, but thankfully, I can see straight through him.

Roxy’s endless stream of creepy men over the years has been a huge learning curve for me. He seems to be treating her well, and he drives a flashy car. But there’s something about him that makes my skin crawl. Maybeit’s his leering eyes or the not-so-subtle glances that come my way. I don’t think Roxy notices, but the way he looks at me sometimes gives me the heebie-jeebies.

Last week, for instance, I was bending over to get something out of the fridge. I was unaware that he was behind me until I heard him groan. When I glanced over my shoulder, his eyes were glued to my ass and the pervert was licking his lips.

I’m willing to put all of that aside though, as long as he keeps his hands to himself. It’s a small price to pay to get this version of my mom.

“What are your plans for the day?” Roxy asks, surprising me. She doesn’t usually care what I do, as long as I’m not in her way.

I shrug. “I was going to help out at the gym.”

I’m still there on a daily basis. Reece even pays me now. I’ve learned enough over the past two years that I’m able to teach a few classes. It’s usually just the little ninja class, but I enjoy it. Sometimes I even fill in at reception when Michelle is on her break or running errands.

“Hmm,” she says. “I’m not sure if I like you spending so much time there.”

“I like it.”

“Something just seems off, is all,” she says, reaching across the table to place her hand on top of mine. Again, not the norm, but I’ll take any affection I can get from her at this stage. “He’s a grown-ass man, what would he want a kid hanging around all the time for? I don’t trust him.”

“Reece is only twenty-three, and he’s good to me.”

“You’re what, ten… eleven? It’s wrong.”

“I’m thirteen,” I say, rolling my eyes. My own mother doesn’t even know how old I am.

“Exactly.”

“Roxy, it’s not like that. I help out around the gym and he pays me.”

“He gives you money?”

“A little,” I say, shrugging. I shouldn’t have told her that part. I have some saved, it’s stashed under my mattress where she can’t find it, but most of what I earn goes on groceries and occasionally clothes. “Where do you think all the food comes from?”

“And what does he expect in return?” I notice she ignores the comment about the food.