Page 13 of Mr. Edwards
I race into my room, stopping by my bed and falling to my knees. I slide my hand under the mattress, feeling for the envelopes I’ve hidden there. My heart is beating out of my chest at the thought of finally getting in contact with my dad. I’ve secretly hoped that one day he’d come back here and save me.
I try not to wish for things. You just set yourself up for heartache if you do, but I know that thought will help keep me going. Without hope, what do we have?
My stomach growls as I head back into the main room, where Reece now stands by the door and waits. He stopped and got me something to eat before coming here and I devoured every morsel. Even going as far as licking the sauce off the inside of the burger wrapper. I wasn’t even discreet about it. Who knows when my next meal will be? He kept telling me to slow down as I ate, saying I’d make myself sick if I didn’t. But even if I wasn’t on the brink of starvation, I wouldn’t have been able to. Has he ever eaten a burger before? Doesn’t he realize how delicious they are?
Roxy doesn’t cook, opening a tin can and heating the contents is about her limit. He did ask me if I wanted another when I was done. I could have eaten a dozen more, but I didn’t want to take advantage of his kindness.He’d already done so much for me. Hopefully, tomorrow, when Roxy finally surfaces, she’ll go to the store.
I hand the letters to Reece and see him look over the envelope on top. “I’ll get these posted for you tomorrow.”
Smiling, I nod my head.
He flicks his chin in the direction of Roxy’s room. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay here on your own?”
“Yes.” Tonight, I’m feeling grateful. I got a happy ending, and they don’t come around often.
“Okay, if you’re sure,” he says. “Take care of yourself, kid.”
Sadness washes over me as I stand at the front door and watch him walk back to his car. His posture is hunched as he pauses briefly. When he glances over his shoulder, he looks conflicted, but the reality is, he’s probably glad to see the back of us. We’re more trouble than we are worth; I’d run and never look back if I were him.
Once he drives away, I close the front door and lock it. After checking on Roxy again, I head to my bedroom.
That night I hardly slept. It was crazy because I barely knew Reece, but the thought of never seeing him again felt like I’d suffered a great loss. I’ve been neglected and let down my entire life; I’ve never had anyone I could truly count on. But having someone as magnificent as him around would be too wonderful for words.
When I woke the next morning something magical happened. To my surprise, three things were sitting on the porch by the front door: a bag full of groceries, a box of freshly baked donuts, and the last thing had a smile bursting onto my face because it was a brand-new pair of shoes.
A warmth spread through my entire body, a kind of happiness like I’d never known. It was such an unfamiliar feeling for me, but I liked it. I liked it very much.
Part One
The beginning of us…
Chapter 1
Carlee
Three years ago…
As I enter the diner, I smile and wave at the two ladies standing behind the counter. I’m meeting Emma Phoenix, my best friend, here for breakfast. Heading toward the back of the restaurant, I take a seat at our usual booth. This place has become a regular haunt for us.
I’ve been living in Gardena, California, for around four years. I moved here, from Temecula, a few months after my twenty-first birthday. That’s how I met Emma. She’s been my neighbor for three of those years and has quickly become a godsend in my life. The dynamic Reece and I have is vastly different from the one me and Emma share. She’s my first real girlfriend. She was also the first person to tell me she loved me, not knowing at the time what those three words meant to me. I’ll always cherish her for that.
The apartment I’m living in now is owned by Reece’s cousin, Brandon. Brandon went on an extended backpacking tour around Europe, and I wanted a fresh start. So far it has worked out perfectly. Reece made a verbal agreement, so there’s no lease. Not that my mother wouldever bother to come looking, but it would be impossible for her, or anyone associated with her, to find me here if they did.
Although I miss Reece, life here is good. I have a great job managing a local bar, and a cherished friendship with the sweet girl next door.
When I was thirteen years old and Roxy kicked me out, I had nowhere to go. I was destined for the streets until Reece stepped in and offered me a room in the apartment above the gym he owned.
When I graduated high school, Reece got me a job at the bar where he bounced at night. He’d long left the strip club; he didn’t want to associate with Roxy after what she’d done to me. That’s how I got into the hospitality industry. College was never on the radar. I was only eighteen when I started working there, so I cleaned tables and served food until I turned twenty-one and was able to serve alcohol. In my downtime, I taught self-defense classes at the gym.
I had no intentions of leaving my old life in Temecula, it was my home, all I knew, but when I heard my mother was still hanging around with the man who almost destroyed me when I was a child, I was left with no choice. Call it self-preservation, but I needed to get as far away from her as I could, cutting all ties once and for all. I should’ve learned my lesson long before that.
We never really had a relationship anyway. Not a healthy one. The wounds I’d collected over the years ran deep.
I was happy and safe under the care of Reece. He gave me a real chance at a good life. One I’ve never taken for granted. I owe that man everything. Although he doesn’t have children of his own, he’s been more of a parent than either of the fuckups that created me.
Living with him had allowed me to see what stability looked like. I was cared for, cocooned in a bubble of contented bliss.
I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to forgive Roxy for the things she’s done, but I also know that carrying hate around in my heart won’t serve me well. Grudges are like poison, they’re difficult to get rid of once you allow them to settle in. The last thing I want is to be bitter and resentful like her.
