Page 71 of Regrets

His head lifts, not showing a second of fear. “A whore.”

My fist draws back, and I punch him square in the nose with a quick jab that sends his head back and blood pouring from his nose.

“Get out.”

“Gladly. I never want to see you again.”

I turn and start for the door. “You know, he was the only good one, the only one worth a damn! And when he died, I would have taken all of your trust funds away.”

I look back over my shoulder. “So why the fuck didn’t you?”

“Your goddamn mother and her bleeding heart.”

That’s what finally pushed her over the edge? Him wanting to take our trust funds away?

“I’ll make sure to use the money for something you really fucking hate.”

I turn and yank open the door, managing to avoid Lola before I climb in my car and make the long drive back to my house.

When I get there, I’m instantly annoyed by all the cars parked outside.

This is definitely not fucking good.

I climb out of my car and walk up the stairs, infuriated by the loud music I could hear from the driveway. When I walk in, I see P in full destructive mode.

There are people all over my fucking house, and a guy is grinding against her ass as she sways to the music, her long hair down and all over the place.

I’m afraid I’m going to do to the guy pressed against her what I really wanted to do to my fucking father.

We finally get one step ahead and are violently dragged back to the past. Every. Fucking. Time.

38

PENELOPE

TEN MONTHS AGO

Why am I here? I should have told Nora no. Why didn’t I tell her no?

“I’m going to campus. There’s a party some chick wants me to go to.”

I look up at Linc from the book I’m reading. He just showered and looks as good in a t-shirt and jeans as any guy ever could in a three-piece suit. “Why are you telling me?”

I moved in last week, and honestly, it hasn’t gone well. We’re both angry and lost. I’ve struggled to make myself go to class.

With every breath I breathe, all I feel is guilt.

“I don’t know.” He grabs his keys, and I jump up.

“Wait. Let me go with you.”

“What? No.”

“Why not?”I need to escape. I have to get out of here.

He hates having me here just as much as I hate being here. That much is very clear, but we both granted Nora’s wish, and now we’re stuck with each other for a year.

“Fine. I’m leaving soon though, so if that’s not what you want to wear, move your ass.”

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