Page 14 of Tempting God

I can’t take anymore. Pushing my chair back, I run from the room, going to the second floor to the guest room that Grandfather lets me use. Hot tears stream down my face.

Dad and Grandfather are dead.

Mother is sending me away.

Everyone thinks I’m worthless.

My world will never be the same.

But one thing is clear.

I hate Grant Carter.

3

Greer

Age 24

“What do you mean, you’re not coming home this weekend? Your stepfather and I need you to house sit while we’re out of town.”

I hold the phone away from my ear. Mother is practically screaming, and I just can’t deal with it.

Not today.

My god. Does she even remember?

Probably not.

“Mother, I have finals next week. I need to study.”

She scoffs. “As if it matters.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“You’re a Blanc, Greer. Your name is what will get you through life. Once cousin Charles finds a suitable match for you, you can put aside this nonsense.”

Only she would consider going to college at Columbia ‘nonsense’. There are so many things wrong with what she’s saying, but I don’t dare point them out. No, my best bet is getting off the phone. Now.

“Mother, I’ll speak to you soon. Goodbye.”

Ending the call, I drop my phone on my bed.

I graduate in the spring, and then I’ll never have to speak to that woman again. As much as I want to end all contact with her right now, I know that she can still make my life a living hell, so I have to play nice until I’m certain she can’t ruin what I’ve worked so hard to build.

“That bad?”

I turn and find my roommate, Felicity, standing in the doorway. Her red hair is piled high on her head in a messy bun with two pencils poking out.

“You know it.”

“Well, I guess it’s a good thing we’ve got plans tonight, isn’t it?”

Felicity doesn’t know what today is. No one that knows me now knows that I lost my Dad and Grandfather eight years ago. They don’t know because it still hurts too much to think about, let alone speak about. Besides, it’s hard to mention that your father and grandfather died on the same day without having to go into details that can lead back to the Brotherhood.

I smile at her. “I can’t wait. God knows I need to get laid.”

“That’s the spirit. Did you ever decide what you’re wearing?”

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