Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
“Alright, we can sit for a cup of coffee and some pie, but I don’t have much time. I don’t want to rush you, but I didn’t know you were coming.”
“I understand, Lori. One piece of pie and I’ll be out of your hair. I promise.”
I take Nana to bed and return to the kitchen to find Michael plating two pieces of his homemade pie. He’s already poured two cups of coffee and placed them on the table. He looks up at me and says, “Have a seat. I poked around and found everything I needed.”
It’s weird, but even though we’re just drinking coffee, sitting alone with Michael feels like something Luke would disapprove of. I don’t ever want to do anything to make him upset, and I think Michael just inviting himself over might send Luke over the edge.
Michael slides a plate in front of me. “Tell me all about your life in the city. Where did you go to school? Did you have a lot of friends?”
“I went to James Madison High School. It was huge. I didn’t really have a lot of friends, but there were a few kids I hung out with at lunch and after school sometimes.”
“I figured you would have been one of the popular girls. You weren’t the prom queen?”
“I didn’t even go to the prom. How about you? It must have been nice going to high school with the same kids you grew up with.”
“I hated school. I didn’t really like the kids, so school was a pain in the ass for me. I guess that’s when my father’s disapproval started.”
“Why? Did you cut class and get in trouble?”
“You could say I got in trouble. I got in a lot of trouble.”
“Well, it looks like you turned out okay anyway.”
“Yup, just like you did. Why don’t you try the pie and coffee?”
“Of course,” I say and eat a forkful. “It’s delicious.” It’s a little dry so I take a sip of coffee.
“That’s it. There’s plenty more where that came from.” He beams, and I can’t bring myself to relax. “What about boyfriends? Did you have a lot of those?”
“No. Not until now anyway.”
Something about his expression changes like he’s morphing into a different version of himself, and he sets his fork down hard on the table.
“Who’s the lucky guy? Is it the Sheriff? Don’t you think he’s a little old for you?”
My face gets hot and I drop my fork too. “I don’t think that’s any of your business and, to be honest, that’s very rude.”
“Rude? Well, it’s not the first time someone has called me that. I don’t think I’m rude, though. I just tell it like it is. If it offends you, then maybe it’s because you don’t want to face the truth.”
I can’t believe what he’s saying to me. It’s no wonder he had no friends in high school.
“Well, Luke is a very nice person. I think you’d like him if you got to know him.”
“I don’t plan on finding out. When it comes to cops, I try to keep my distance.” He wears a smug grin on his face, and it gives me the creeps.
“Why is that? Have you had legal problems?” I take another sip of the coffee. Either the pie or the conversation has left a bitter taste in my mouth.
“There was a girl…well…a couple of girls actually who made some terrible accusations about me. I can’t understand why they would do something like that. They gave me the green light, and I tried to proceed. Then, they acted like I broke the law. You know how it is. The cops always believe the woman, right?”
“I wouldn’t know. That’s not something I’ve ever had to deal with, and I hope to never find out.” I cross my arms as the conversation takes an even more uncomfortable turn.
“Well, I’m here to tell you they do. I don’t understand why these bitches just throw themselves at you and then cry about it when you expect them to follow through. It makes me crazy, you know? I mean, if I don’t put them in their place, who will? It’s like I’m doing a public service for all the unsuspecting men out there.”
“Michael, I don’t think…” I try to stand but my legs don’t seem able to hold my weight. The room goes white and my head begins to spin. “You should leave, Michael. I don’t feel well...”
“Sit back down, Lori. There you go.” Michael’s voice echoes in my ears. “I’m not going anywhere. When you fall asleep, I’ll take you to bed and show you why I’ve been waiting all this time for you to come back to town. It’s lucky that my pops and I live right around the corner. Made it so easy for me to keep my eye on you. I saw you with that cop the other night. I saw what he did to you. How he seduced you. He crossed a line, Lori. You shouldn’t have let him do that.”