Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77857 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77857 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Maddy scowled at the house again. “You are telling me he has a girl up there this morning?”
“Yes, but it’s his house. He can have over whoever he wants.” I was defending him. What had this man done to me? I could hardly believe my own words.
“I don’t know much about what went on with the two of you. It isn’t my business. But I do know that Blaise thinks it was serious because of some things he saw from Trev. That being the case, Trev having a girl over this soon is cruel. He needs to be slapped.”
Why did I run down here? I could have gone to my room and cried. But, no, I’d had to be dramatic and run out of the house like a lunatic. I wouldn’t even be able to look at Trev again. I’d tossed my pride out the window with that reaction.
“Please, if you could, just keep this between us. I’ve already embarrassed myself in front of him. My reaction was pathetic and humiliating enough. I’d like to let it go and move on with my life. Don’t say anything to him or anyone. If I could just start working today, that would help.”
Maddy nodded. “Of course. I understand,” she said gently. “But if you need to talk or vent or cry, I’m here. I’ll listen, and I won’t say anything.”
I sniffled. “Thank you.”
“Of course. Now, let’s get you working and too busy to think about this mess,” she said before heading into the stables.
Thirty-One
Gypsi
Eight Days Since Trev Walked Out of My Room
Tonight would be my first event at a fundraising gala as Garrett Hughes’s future stepdaughter.
Stylists arrived at the house, and they styled our hair, did our makeup, and chose our clothing. Mom loved every moment of it. When Garrett came in to see how things were going, she jumped up and threw her arms around his neck. He looked at her with that worshipful expression.
Trev had disappeared again, and I hadn’t seen him since the dining room with Bea. This time, I was avoiding him too. Seeing him was the last thing I wanted. My emotions were a fragmented mess. How long would this last? Did you eventually get over the devastation? Move on and feel again for someone else? I wasn’t sure I wanted to ever give my heart to someone again. But then I’d remember how it had felt to wake up with Trev. How laughing with him and cuddling in his arms had given me that deep-seated joy. I’d like that with someone who wanted it with me too. Who thought I was special. Who could love me in return. One day, maybe. If I ever put myself back together again after this.
These were things I would have asked my mother, if it wasn’t Trev who had caused the damage. She was high on life today, watching me get fixed up. Looking in the mirror, I had to admit they had done a good job. I almost felt like I might fit in at this thing.
I just wished someone had warned me before I climbed into the limo. Trev was sitting in the far back corner. Our eyes locked for only a moment, and then he dropped his gaze back to his phone, as if the sight of me bored him. Nothing could have prepared me for that greeting. I wasn’t sure I could breathe; my chest constricted so badly. I’d warned him that the day would come that I bored him. It was here, and all it had taken was my telling him I loved him.
I slid in to sit across from my mom and Garrett. The massive rock on her hand caught the light and sparkled.
“I’ve always put you in pink because you love it, but, wow, we should have tried gold on you. It brings out your eyes,” she told me.
“You look incredible in gold,” I told her.
She should be wearing this dress, but they’d put her in a shiny silver dress that clung to her curves.
“I copy-pasted with you, honey,” she replied. “What looks good on me will always look good on you.”
I shrugged. Mom was a level of beautiful I wasn’t, but I wasn’t going to argue that with her. She was my mother, and to her, no one could compare to me.
“Maddy brought me your recent photos to look over. They’re impressive,” Garrett said. “You have a real eye behind the camera.”
“The camera you supplied me with has a lot to do with that. I don’t think it makes a bad picture,” I told him.
That was the truth. The camera had every bell and whistle made.
“It takes talent to produce those kinds of photos,” he replied, and then his gaze shifted in the direction of Trev. “You going to look at that phone or be social?”