Winter… My baby. She deserves so much more.
But I know I still have a chance. Lauren Kingston is going to lose everything—I’ll make sure of it. She’ll be the one begging to see Jaden and Maika by the time I’m done with her. I start the car and pull my phone out of my pocket.
Then I smile.
And stop recording.
21
On Hold
If someone had told me a few hours ago that I’d be dragging my feet walking into the elevator of our apartment complex, I would’ve laughed. Me? Dreading going back to the place I’ve been so desperate to live in again? Good one.
Fiddling with the phone in my pocket, I try my best to prepare for what’s about to happen. I’m not ready. Not even close. I know once I walk through that door, I’ll have to tell her.
Worse, I’ll have to show her.
I don’t want to think about what hearing that recording will do to her. I think she always knew Lauren was a heartless piece of garbage, but knowing it and hearing her mother point-blank say that she hates her daughter are two different things.
The door opens before I can get my keys out. Kendrick and Allie stand in the doorway, on their way out.
“Hey, man,” Kendrick says at the sight of me. “You look like shit.” I crack the ghost of a smile. I know that’s his way of saying “It’s good to see you around here again.”
“Feel like it, too.”
“She’s letting you sleep here tonight. That’s progress,” he points out.
“Understandable after the day she’s had. But you’re not off the hook just yet,” Allie teases.
“Trust me, I’m aware. You think you could put in a good word for me?”
She smirks. “I don’t think I have to, since she’s letting you sleep in her bed.”
My eyes grow. “Wait, what?”
They laugh at my reaction.
“She’s in her room.” Kendrick pats me on the shoulder before they disappear down the hall.
The apartment is silent. I glance over the living room. As stupid as it may sound, when I see Jay sleeping on the couch like a baby, I’m relieved. They were right. No sign of a bed on the floor, and the guest rooms are all taken. I kick my rising hopes back down. Maybe she just ran out of blankets. After all, we have Alex, Kass, Will, and Jaden living with us right now.
I walk to our bedroom and push the door open quietly. She’s lying on her side with her head propped on her bended arm. My eyes travel down her body against my will. She’s wearing shorts, a tank top and… no bra. Most likely because she’s going to bed soon. On a mission to fuck with me, my hormones decide now’s a good time to picture her naked.
“Hey.” Her voice startles me.
I must be beyond obvious because she sits up and cradles her knees to her body, covering her hard nipples in the process. She looks like she feels awful. I could make her feel better.
“Hey.” I rip my eyes back to her face. “I’ve got the clothes.”
She nods faintly. “Thanks.”
“Did you want me to stay tonight or… ?”
I already know the answer, but I need to hear her say it.
Panicky, she blurts, “I mean, unless you don’t want to. If you don’t want to, you can go. It’s fine, I—”
“Winter.” I shut down her spiraling. “I want to.”