Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 68308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
“To check into more things than Jim McIntyre?”
“One of many. Did you check the attendance for today?” I’d gotten her a login. Kinsley has free rein at this point. She can go poking around whenever and wherever she wants, and I’m sure she will.
“I did, but nothing stood out.”
“It’s only been a day,” I point out. “And because a person doesn’t get marked as absent doesn’t mean they weren’t.”
“That’s true!” Kinsley lets out a small gasp. “I mean, I could change them in the system.” That’s what I had been thinking. I know it’s what my cousins and I would do, but I don’t know if others have those means. But a lot of means come down to money, and there is plenty of that to go around at Golden Prep.
“Stay put,” I tell her.
“You can’t park—” Kinsley stops herself. “Never mind.” Not sure if she’s saying never mind because she believes I’m dropping her off or because you can’t park here, but she knows I don’t give a shit. A cop in this city isn’t going to run my tags and then tow me.
I pull my keys out of the ignition before hopping out and coming around to open her door. I offer her my hand. She takes it.
“You don’t have to walk me up.”
“First off, never dropping my girl at the door, and second, I’m coming up.” I close the car door behind her.
“Like up up?” Kinsley tentatively points up toward the sky, but I know she means the building.
“Is that a problem?”
“You’re supposed to be invited.” She lets out a laugh meant to be playful, but it’s nervous. Yeah, my girl can’t act for shit.
“We’re only here to pack you a bag.”
“Whoa, now hold on.” I already got her hand and head inside the building.
“Nothing has changed from yesterday, Bunny,” I remind her. “And your parents aren’t home,” I add, knowing that will lessen her anxiety a bit.
“They aren’t?” I shake my head no, hitting the button for the elevator. The doors slide open, and I step on.
I almost hit her floor and the key code but control myself. Not going to freak her out when we’re so close to her home. It’s better that those things happen when I have her on the farm. Then it’s not so easy for her to get away. Not that she could either way, but there's no need to make things harder than they need to be. I mean, she hasn’t reacted badly to my obsessive, overbearing ways yet, but I don’t want to chance it. She doesn’t need to know the extent of the details I know about every part of her life, for now.
Kinsley grows quiet, shifting on her feet as she nibbles her bottom lip. “I know, Bunny. We won’t deal with it today.” I knew the topic of her parents was going to be an issue. They can go fuck themselves for all I care. If they wanted to put in their two cents on who Kinsley hangs around, they should have taken a more active role in her life. I’ll play nice with them for her sake. For the time being.
“I’m sorry, I’m a jerk.” Shit, her eyes have filled with unshed tears.
“You’re not a jerk.” I pull her to me. “And I get it. We can all pretend we don’t give a shit about our parents’ reactions, but it still can hit you hard.” Even if she doesn't owe it to them. That's on them. They'll learn soon enough that Kinsley can choose if she wants them in her life or not.
“But you didn’t do anything, and I know they won’t be happy about you. People just judge you.”
“Bunny.” I grip her chin to make her look up at me. My sister can turn on the waterworks, and I’ll shake my head. Kinsley here is about to unman me, and she hasn’t spilled a tear yet. “How your parents feel about me has nothing to do with you. Don’t apologize for them.”
"I know." She puffs out a small breath.
"And don't feel bad for me. People can't help but judge, and it's not as though my family hasn't earned some of it." We might not be fully by the book, but it's a big-ass difference from how my grandfather and great-grandfather ran things. I'm not proud of all the shit they participated in. “Sometimes, judging people keeps you alive."
"You are so good with your words." Kinsley shakes her head. "Making me laugh and then being wise."
"I'm not all-wise. I fucked with Jim because I know I can."
"Well, my vibes aren't great when it comes to him."
The jury is still out on him for me. I don’t know if he’s one of those teachers who enjoys the power and it goes to their head a little too much, or if he is an asshole I need to keep an eye on. Either way, he got the message loud and clear. If he’s as smart as he thinks his glasses and bow tie make him look, then he’ll tread lightly when it comes to Kinsley.