Page 8 of Stephan

Scott scrubbed his face with a towel.“Stephan, I don’t think you can get Jade if she’s at my place. Myparents wouldn’t allow it. They aren’t like everyone here. Theywouldn’t let you just take her. Jade is new and they know it.”

“She’s mine. I n—”

“Stephan, shut it.”

I glared at Derick as he narrowed his eyes atme. I knew he wanted me to keep quiet. I probably sounded like apossessive arsehole. It was the curse’s fault, and I couldn’texplain to Scott or my friends, they’d think I really was crazy. Iknew people thought us Silverman’s were eccentric.

“You’ll see Jade tomorrow at the party.Right, Scott?”

Scott’s gaze went from me to Derick. He knewsomething was going on, just not exactly what. “Er, yeah, sure.Cassie is dying to go to one of your parties. She’ll make sure Jadecomes. I’ll drive them to your place myself.”

I nodded, not trusting my voice. I could waituntil tomorrow to see her again. I’d call Zeck again when I gothome and see what he’d found out.

*****

Scott stayed for a while and he’d helpdistract me. Derick took him home half an hour ago and I’d justgotten off the phone with Zeck. I sat at my computer shocked at theinformation I was reading. Jade was only seventeen, she was alittle over a month away from eighteen. I was nineteen, so therewasn’t a huge difference in age. She was smart, not only to keep upwith people a year older at school, but she was street smart. Ifelt like an even bigger arse as I read about her. Jade’s motherhad died of a meth overdose only two weeks ago. She had no knownfather, and there were three different restraining orders againstmen her mother had been with. DoCS, Department of CommunityServices, had been called several times, but nothing had come ofthe visits. There were notes though, and he felt sick as he readone after another. Why the hell hadn’t they taken her? Jade hadraised herself. She now lived with her mother’s father who was heronly known relative and a drug dealer. Zeck had dug deeper findingout she received Centerlink benefits from the age of fourteen. He’dhacked into her account and I could now see how Jade spent themoney, with care at the grocery store, and the cheapest clothingstores.

A knock sounded on my door and knew it wouldbe Derick. “Come in.” I didn’t turn to him I kept reading.

“So anything good?” He didn’t need to askwhat I was looking at.

Running fingers through my hair, I cleared mydry throat. “I’ve been an idiot. I knew we were lucky and spoiled,but…” I couldn’t tell him. I stood and moved from the computer.Derick took my place. I laid on my bed and tried not to come upwith images of what Jade’s life would have looked like and whatshe’d been through.

After a while the side of the bed sank.“Fuck, bro, that’s some serious shit. What are you going todo?”

Ha, that was the big question. “I don’t know.I’m going to need help. I didn’t want to bother Mum and Dad, butI’m gonna need Mum.”

“Do you still want her?”

I sat up and snarled, “What the fuck kind ofquestion is that? Of course I still want her, she’s mine. I justhave to take it slower than I wanted.” I stared at Derick. “I’mgoing to give her everything, Derick. I promise she will want fornothing. I’m going to surround her with everything she could everwant, luxury, friends, family—and love.”

Derick stood. “You know I’ll support you, andMum will love spoiling her.” He walked to the door. “I know youdon’t want to hear this, but you need to go slow and build up hertrust. You won’t be able to just move her in here and expect her tofollow your orders. You need to give her time to get to know you.Jade is not one of your normal women, so treat her right.” He leftmy room, shutting the door.

As much as I wanted to get angry at Derickfor what he said, I couldn’t because it was all true.

*****

Jade

Cassie’s parents were nice, and I learnedwere she got her no filter—her father. He just said whatever cameto mind. I didn’t think I’d blushed so much in my life and I’ddefinitely not had a sheltered life. He seemed like the laid backone in the relationship, were Cassie’s mother was all perfectly puttogether, not a hair or piece of clothing out of place.

Scott didn’t come home until after dinner. Iwas relieved when Derick came with him to the front door and notthe wanker. Derick hadn’t stayed long and he didn’t say a word tome.

I stayed in the guest bedroom, which was thebiggest room I’d ever seen. The bed felt odd, it was soft and thesheets were of a high thread count. I’d never had a bed so soft orsheets so smooth and soothing against the skin. I tossed and turnedall night.

No one woke me in the morning, and when Ilooked at the bedside clock I was shocked to see I’d slept pastten. I’d never done that before. I was an early riser. I showeredand rushed to get dressed so it wasn’t too late when I made itdownstairs. When I walked into the kitchen I was surprised to seeCassie’s dad at the stove and only Cassie at the table, set withplates, knives, forks, juice and cups.

“Hi, Jade. I hope you slept okay.” I smiledat Cassie’s father. I couldn’t tell him I hadn’t. “Yes,thanks.”

“Are you hungry? Go sit down. I’m doingsausages, hash browns, bacon, and eggs.”

I sat at the table next to Cassie. I wasn’treally a breakfast person. I sometimes had an apple or a mandarin,but nothing like what was being offered. “Yes. Could I please havea hash brown and an egg?”

“Sure.” He came over with a plate filled withalready cooked food.

I placed the items on the plate.

“So what are you girls doing today?”

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