So when August’s name pops up, I lean in closer to listen as I sit across from my sister at a local café the next afternoon.
“I mean, I know he’s bad. But have you seen him? I would like to use and abuse that body, that’s for sure.” I roll my eyes at the girl’s words and Rhianna giggles.
“You’ve been avoiding going home most of the week,” Rhianna says, lifting her milkshake and bringing it to her lips. “I mean… you know you’re always welcome in my home, but don’t you think it’s time we find you your own place?”
“I was planning on doing exactly that.”
Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “You plan to leave the confines of our parents’ house?”
I nod.
“Please tell me it’s not with that loser,” she says with an eye roll.
“No. I’m leaving him.” I watch as Rhianna’s eyes go wide.
“Have you told him that?”
I tuck my hair behind my ear and glance down to my coffee that’s going cold. “I’ve been trying, but he really isn’t taking the hint even though I’m using a sledgehammer to deliver it.”
“Want me to pretend to be you? I’m sure I can make him take the hint.”
She used to swap with me in school when I couldn’t cope with things, and she could.
Problem with this little scenario is that Anderson can tell us apart.
“No, I have to do it.”
“Good, he’s a dick anyway.”
“That he is,” I agree.
“Tomorrow then. Tomorrow, we’ll search for a house for you.”
I give her a simple nod in agreement.
The girls next to us start talking again about August. I stay quiet but listen intently.
“He’s the talk of the town,” Rhianna says. “They’re either scared of him or want him.”
“I saw him,” I tell her.
“Where?”
“At the supermarket. He was trying to buy food, but they wouldn’t serve him.” Her eyes go wide. “I bought it for him, but he wasn’t impressed.”
“You bought food for him?”
“Yes, I’m not a bitch, Rhi,” I reply, shaking my head.
She holds up her hands. “Never said you were, but I am surprised. Noah said he’s done a lot in that old house, but the neighbors aren’t happy he’s living there. They call the cops on him a lot.”
That makes me sad.
“Do you think anyone will accept him?”
“Well, you seem to have.” Rhianna smirks, lifting her coffee to her lips to try to hide it, but I can see it in her eyes.
“I was just being a decent human,” I say defensively.
“He’s hot, much hotter than before…” she says, trailing off.
But I know what she wanted to say… than before he went to prison.
“That doesn’t mean he’s a good person, Rhi. Now, that’s enough.”
She shrugs but keeps a smirk firmly on her face.
And I wonder, why am I so drawn to August?
Chapter 6
August
A week goes by fast, followed by another. It’s lonely. I haven’t left the house.
Noah dropped in last week with some essentials, and since then, I haven’t left. But I need to because I’m out of food again, and my money stash is becoming smaller with each passing day.
I’ve never held a real job. Before I went away, I did what was necessary to earn money. It paid, and I never thought beyond that. I probably should have.
There’s a small knock on my door, and when I pull it open, I beam. It’s the first genuine smile I have had in weeks. Paige is standing on the other side with a bag full of pastries in her hand, and I can smell the delicious treats, which makes my mouth water. All the letters she sent me when I was in prison told me how much she loves to cook, sweets being her favorite. I promised to try them one day in my return letters.
Today must be the day.
“August.” She says my name with excitement.
I pull the door open further and she comes inside, her eyes darting around the room before they come back to me. “It’s beautiful.” She pushes the bag into my hand and goes to the table, running her hand along it. “I made them this morning for you. I hope you like tarts. I’ve made a few different kinds since I wasn’t sure which flavor you liked.”
“I do like them. Does your father know you’re here?”
She scrunches her nose up and turns her head away, then proceeds to check around the house. I reach for the cell phone Noah gave me, which I haven’t used, and send her father a text message letting him know she’s here.
“I want you to meet someone…” She pauses. “Beckham. He wants to meet you, too. If you’re willing.” I can see the hope in her eyes at the mention of his name.
“This your boyfriend?”
“Yes. I love him. He’s good to me. Really good.” Her smile is so large, her eyes twinkle with the emotion she’s feeling.