Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 62569 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 313(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62569 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 313(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
"It’s time.” Ivan put the car into the spot where the admin building rears its ugly head. It was a modern black and white monstrosity that basically looked too expensive to be on a college campus. The designer even added in a mirror bridge that reflected your future—no joke, I wished I was making this shit up—as you walked across it to the building and into the actual campus.
If I didn’t have the family I did.
If I wasn’t jaded.
Maybe if I still had my heart, I’d find it inspiring that when I looked down into the mirror I saw my own reflection with words of encouragement at each step.
Except now?
I just wanted to break with each and every single step.
I hadn’t walked across it since my freshman year—it terrified me, thinking about my future or lack thereof.
Where was my place anyway?
I felt even more insecure now than when I walked through those doors so many years ago, how does a person even step into the shoes of the legacies who walked through this school and made it theirs? Who threatened the world with their power and intimidated the students with their ability to rule with iron fists?
I was part born into something huge.
Everywhere I looked I saw the stamp of my family name.
And every time someone looked in my direction I knew what they were thinking.
I was either someone they wanted to befriend.
Someone to stay away from.
Or someone to hook up with and brag about.
I was never truly me, not the way Louis had always made me feel as if I was special but also not special. It was hard to explain; maybe he just made me feel human.
I cracked my neck.
“Are you going to be okay?” Ivan was using his soft voice. I hated his soft voice.
I opened my door. “You’re using the voice again. It only annoys me more. Next time just punch me to get my attention.”
He snorted out a laugh. “I’m not going to punch one of my favorite people, and last time you punched back—a tooth cracked—not my favorite moment.”
I smiled. “And yet one of my top five.”
"Shocker.” He smirked and reached for his door. Opened his mouth again.
“Nope.” I waved him away. “Pretend feelings don’t exist just like I am right now. You used to be good at that until your tiny heart grew.”
“Ouch.” He jumped out.
"Oh please, I’m sure Bella made it all better.”
His smirk was back full force. God how did such a player end up married with a baby already? "No comment.”
“Mmm…” I laughed as I settled my white leather Prada bag over my shoulder and kept my black sunglasses firmly in place. “It smells.”
“It’s called nature. Those”—Ivan pointed toward the rest of campus—“are trees.”
"And that”—I pointed at him—“is an ass, out in the wilds of Chicago. Watch how it slowly stalks its prey and—”
“Shut it.” He slid off his aviators. “There he is, right on time.” Ivan checked his watch. “Does it piss you off how punctual he is, or is it just me?”
Striding toward us with purpose, Ace was wearing a camel-colored trench coat, tight jeans, and black boots. He had his hair slicked back, and he should look like a tool; instead, he looked like he belonged on the cover of a magazine.
GQ most likely.
"How much do you bet he counts his steps and only stops on even numbers?” I tilted my head. “And yes it pisses me off that he’s always on time. I swear the man probably counts every strand of hair on his head instead of sheep then mourns the loss of even one on his pillow when he wakes up.”
Ivan choked out a laugh. “He does have nice hair, though.”
"Your compliments don’t make him more appealing. Let’s get this over with. Like you said, I have class.”
“Yup.”
People walked by us, some stared, others held up their phones. I was used to going viral. The sheer amount of reality shows that our family was pitched was crazy.
Did they really think we’d let cameras film all the gory stuff or were they really under the false impression that we were just descendants of a crime family but kept our noses clean?
People couldn’t be that stupid, could they?
Ace eyed me up and down.
“Ten bucks he checks his watch twice.”
Ivan cursed. “Twenty says he goes for a third time.”
“Why a third?” I wondered.
“Because…” Ivan started walking past me. “He’s nervous.”
“Why?” I glance around. “It’s not like we have any threats.”
Ivan looks over his shoulder. “It’s funny.”
“What is?”
“How you don’t count yourself.” He clapped his hands. “Hurry up.”
I follow after him. “Me? I’m nothing I’m barely—”
“Late.” Ace shook his head. “Traffic was light, what was the hold up? Anything I should know about?”
“Question.” I held up my hand. “Do you get offended when your body gets sick? Like if you sneeze are you pissed just because your immune system isn’t strong enough to keep the germs at bay? Furthermore, if I sneeze on you is it more intimidating than pulling a knife?”