Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 146548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 733(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 146548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 733(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
Before I can reply, she’s going on, “We need to talk to you. I think it might be bad, really bad. You don’t need to say anything yet. I’m about to text you all the details.” She hangs up.
So you know Winona Briar Meadows as the fourteen-year-old fearless animal lover with a spirit as wild as the Meadows family. You follow her Instagram account that’s littered with nature photography and rock climbing excursions. If she’s not advocating for animal rights with Ben Cobalt, then she’s hanging with her girl squad and keeping to herself. You beg her to post more selfies, and you criticize her when she doesn’t.
I know her as Nona, my cousin who could practically be my little sister. Who I used to carry on my shoulders through the Costa Rican forest while she snapped photos of every damn thing: the leaves, the dirt, the ants and the trees. She would bloody her hands, run off a cliff, and split open her heart for any living thing, and it’s terrifying.
Fair Warning: I will decapitate you with a rusted blade if you fuck with this one, and she’ll probably try to stop me.
My head is spinning on Nona’s words we shouldn’t be here and bad and the “we” in we need to talk to you. Who’s with her? Where are they? And what the fuck happened?
Near the double door entrance, I spot Jane.
She’s stuck chatting with the old woman who bought her. I flag down Janie, and she pries herself away from our grandmother’s friend. Strutting down the aisle, her banana purse thwacks her hip.
I haven’t talked to my best friend all night, and she’s one of the people I’d want on my side during a shit storm.
I catch Jane’s hand. “Bonsoir, ma moitié,” I say, kissing her cheeks.
“It’s just you and me, old chap,” she replies. “And the older crew, security, and about two-thousand dreadfully stuffy socialites.”
Cameras flash as we greet one another, and her blue eyes dart to the left, but not for long. She pushes her wavy hair off her shoulder. “Now that you’re public with Farrow, one would think they’d care less about analyzing our friendship.”
“That’s too predictable, huh? I guess our friendship is just that good.”
She smiles brightly, but her lips downturn as my phone vibrates in my fist. “I know that look. Who’s in trouble?”
“Winona. We may need to leave early.” I slip next to Jane so she can skim the text with me. The message has a ton of random nature and animal emojis.
Ben drove us to the Philly Orchestra Hall. We ditched paparazzi, and we’re parked in this dead-end alley thing on the side. We’re waiting here for you. Please come to talk. It’s very very important. – Winona
“Their personal bodyguards are here for the event, aren’t they?” I ask Jane.
She ties her hair back, cheeks flushed hot. “They were given temp bodyguards tonight. It’s likely Ben and Nona ditched them, and it’s even more possible they’re here to protest the auction.”
“I don’t know.” I stare off, thinking. “Winona and Ben are passionate about these things, but they’d both rush in and not just wait in Ben’s car. It seems weird…” I trail off and notice Charlie alone, still slumped on a seat.
He tosses his bowtie to the floor.
I’ve stopped bringing him into the fold. Because he kept ignoring me every time I did. And maybe he still will, maybe he’ll hate that Winona called me first, but I don’t want to chisel him out of my world anymore.
I look to Jane. “Should I ask your brother to come with me?” Jane has always played neutral in my feud with Charlie, but I can tell it’s strained her relationship with him.
She smiles. “Oui, oui.” Yes, yes. “Vous deux, allez-y. Je vais rester avec Beckett au cas où il serait bientôt appelé. Je ne veux pas qu’il soit seul.” You two go. I’m going to stay here with Beckett in case he’s called soon. I don’t want him to be alone.
I wave Charlie over, and he surprisingly drops to his feet and saunters to me. I explain what’s happening and finish with, “Want to help?”
Charlie stares at the ground, processing everything. And when his yellow-green eyes lift up to me, he answers, “You’re in luck. I’m available.”
I was prepared for a fight, but this is better. So much better. And I turn on instinct, looking for someone else.
Farrow.
He’s still chatting with Ace Steel down the aisle, but Akara and Oscar flank him like they’re two-seconds from pulling him backwards.
I cup my hands around my mouth. “Farrow!” I call out, and nearly every head swerves in my direction.
Farrow locks eyes with me, and I know, in this second, that I want him with me.
So I text Winona: me, Charlie, and Farrow are coming in a sec. Don’t drive away.