Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
“Oh, don’t look so surprised. Your father has never kept a secret from me long. It’s a good thing Oz hadn’t told him about the baby until the day they told me, or he’d have cracked by nightfall and spilled his soul. I’ve known about y’all helping Calvin’s friend since the day after she arrived.”
Jesus, Dad was weak.
“And you didn’t mention it because?” I asked.
She shrugged. “Not something your dad wanted me bothered with, and honestly, I felt so bad that I didn’t want to think about it or worry.”
“So, Oz knows that you know too?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Kash?”
“No. Just you.”
“Then how do you know about me spending time with Elsie?”
She smirked at me. “Your father. Oz tells him things. He tells me. I’ve been waiting until I had a chance to ask you about her. It’s my nightly entertainment. Hearing what you did with her that day. But you’re here and have been for days. She’s there.”
I met her pointed look.
“Just a friends thing, Mom,” I told her.
“Mmhmm,” she replied with amusement in her eyes.
“She is. Stop making it into something more. I’m not like my brothers. Relationships aren’t for me.”
“And why do you think that?”
I sighed. “It’s a lot of work and drama that I don’t want. I like variety.”
She rolled her eyes and set her cup down. “You do, do you?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Yet you’ve only been around Elsie for weeks with no complaining about not being able to go out and visit with that variety. To hear Oz tell it, you are rather happy with the situation.”
Oz and his fucking mouth.
“When did Oz become a gossiping old biddy?”
Mom laughed and picked her book back up. “Go back to Bane’s. Sleep in your room. As much as I love you and love having you here, you are smothering me. Let me read my book in peace and go apologize to that girl for screaming at her.”
How the fuck? Oz needed a goddamn life.
“Besides, I’m sure your cousin would love to see you while he’s visiting.”
I stilled, all other thoughts and argument vanished. “My cousin?” I asked.
She was looking down at her book and nodded. “Yes. Calvin arrived this morning. He was worried about Elsie not leaving her room and Winslet said she hadn’t been eating much.”
I was on my feet.
Mom lifted her head, and her mouth curved into a knowing grin that I did not want to be mad at her about. “I’ll make your cheese grits in the morning. But bring Calvin and Elsie with you. I’d love to see my nephew and meet this young woman who is such a good friend. I hear she’s very pleasant and helpful. Despite the horror she’s suffered in her life.”
And if I didn’t bring them, I was sure Oz would. Dammit.
She hadn’t been eating? Or leaving her room? Why the hell hadn’t I been told? Why was Calvin the one Oz had contacted? He wasn’t needed here.
“I’m going, but it’s not why you think. I didn’t know she was having a hard time. She had been fine the last time I saw her.”
“You mean before or after you screamed at her to go away?” Mom asked it so sweetly that it was almost as if she wasn’t being sarcastic.
“I’m going to apologize for that.”
She nodded. “I know. Now, run along and make things right. Calvin is a handsome young man, but he’s not you. That Savelle DNA is a fierce weapon.”
Forty
Elsie
Calvin didn’t want to explore the property, which I was thankful for because I could not have sat through a picnic with him at the pond. Not after what I’d done with Forge there. Instead, he went the opposite way, and we found a large oak tree with a nice shade.
Like he always did, he asked me a lot of questions. He was never one to make it all about him. He was curious and cared about those he allowed into his circle.
Not talking about Forge was hard, but I was afraid if I did, Calvin would read the truth about things in my eyes. He knew me too well. I kept the conversation off Forge the best that I could.
When I was finally able to get the topic turned to his life, I peppered him with questions about the set, filming, his new roommate, and what his next project was.
I ate more than I’d thought I could, and it was clear he was pleased about that. But he had brought my favorites. It had been a sure way to get me to eat.
“Oz thinks there’s a good chance you will be safe to leave soon,” Calvin said, his tone more solemn.
He did? Forge had thought I would require protection for a while. Had that changed in the past few days?
“Oh,” I replied, not sure how I felt about it. Yes, I wanted to be free to leave this property, but that also meant I would be leaving Forge.