Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 89878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
The sound of the door slamming wakes me. My room is dark except for the sliver of light creeping beneath my door. I lean over to glance at the clock on my nightstand. It’s almost three in the morning.
Loud voices echo from the hallway. Bill and Mom. She’s crying. I can’t make out what they’re arguing about, but I can tell he’s drunk. I pull my covers tighter over me, hoping the barrier will drown out their voices.
“Go back to sleep, Georgia,” I coo to myself, but my thoughts turn to Lettie.
“Bill, no. She’s sleeping. Leave her alone.”
“I told her not to leave her bike in the driveway.”
“I’m begging, please—”
The remainder of her plea is cut short by the sharp crack of his hand slapping her face. I hide deeper under my covers, flinching when my door is thrust open.
“Bill, please leave her alone.”
“Stay outta this.”
I curl into myself, praying he listens, when my comforter is ripped from my body, and he fists my ponytail. I cry out in pain as I’m yanked upright by my hair.
“What did I tell you about that bike?”
“Let me go! You’re hurting me.”
“That’s the least of your worries, you little brat. I told you to put that bike away, but you didn’t and I just ran it over.”
I put it away, but Lettie asked if she could ride my bike earlier. I had said yes, trusting her when she promised to return it to the garage. But I keep that to myself. I can’t risk him going after her.
“I’m sorry. I forgot.”
“Oh, you’re sorry? Do you think sorry’s gonna fix the bike I paid for?” He rips me out of bed, his fingers still tight in my hair. My mother cries in the doorway but does nothing to stop him.
“Let go of me!” I scream, but it becomes muffled when his hand swipes across my cheek.
“You’re gonna pay me back for that bike.” He shoves me forward. My back hits the corner of my bedpost, and I fall to the ground. I want to cry, but I’m too afraid my sister will wake up and he’ll redirect his anger to her. Instead, I curl into the fetal position as his boot makes contact with my stomach, taking away my ability to breathe.
“You’re gonna learn, you little bitch.”
“Bill, please. Just come to bed with me.”
There’s a pregnant pause before he speaks again. “Wear something more decent to bed. I won’t have little sluts living under my roof.”
“Bill, please…”
“Worthless kid.”
A beat later, my bedroom door slams shut.
I wake up, struggling to breathe, feeling the pain from Bill’s boot.
“Hey…” I blink, turning my head, groaning at the soreness. Jackson is sitting at my bedside.
“What…?” I try to sit up, disoriented. My throat burns.
“Take it easy. Try some ice chips.” I do so. The wetness feels glorious as it slides down my throat. I suck too many chips into my mouth and choke. “Easy.”
I’m too unsettled from the dream. I don’t know why I’m here. Did Bill put me in the hospital? Why is Jackson here? “What happened?”
He cradles my hand, placing gentle kisses along my fingertips. “You were in an accident.”
“With you? What happened to your face?”
Guilt flashes in his eyes. His voice is barely audible. “It wasn’t me. You were in an accident with Vince.”
“Vince?” My voice trembles with confusion. Why can’t I remember?
“You got into a car thinking it was your Uber, but it was Vince’s mother, Veronica.”
“What? Why?” I can’t bear the way his eyes are locked on me. “Who did that to you?” He doesn’t respond, and I open my mouth to demand he tell me when a name slips off his tongue, silencing me.
“Noah.”
“What?” Snippets flash through my mind. Noah and Jackson fighting. Punch after punch. “Oh, God…”
“Peach, you gotta calm down.”
“What have I done?”
“Nothing. You’ve done absolutely nothing but be this amazing, beautiful soul that came into my life.”
“He knows. I destroyed him. I destroyed you.” The words catch in my throat. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
Jackson stands, his shadow looming over me as he cups my cheeks. “Stop,” he says urgently. “Stop. That doesn’t matter.”
“I ruin people’s lives. I should’ve never agreed to go home with Noah—”
“Stop,” he commands, his tone thick with emotion. “I won’t let you believe that was the better option. If you hadn’t, I never would’ve found you.” His eyes lock onto mine, raw and unguarded. “Peach,” he whispers, “you’re everything I thought I could never have. Before you, l felt nothing. And then you walked into my room, and I felt like fate had finally delivered exactly what I needed.” He pauses, taking in a deep breath. “I fought it. God knows I did, but it was impossible. I found myself needing you, selfishly wanting you—your smile, your touch, your laughter. I had no right to crave you the way I did, but I couldn’t stay away.” He presses his forehead to mine. “I have no right to love you, but I do. These past few days, I’ve been so damn lost without you.”