Chapter 14
Ikeep to myself the rest of the day. I’m completely embarrassed at my outburst. This year is going to feel ridiculously long if I spend most of it in my room—not that this room isn’t a huge upgrade from our trailer. Ugh. I guess I hadn’t expected every conversation with someone would end in confrontation. I’ve done nothing but fight with Beau since I got here. I can only assume he’ll use everything I’ve done against me. That’s how it works, right? He’ll see an advantage and take it.
I hadn’t thought every last thing I’d do here would feel wrong or make me feel like I’m less than. And shit, I’m terrified to walk through the doors of Rosehaven Academy tomorrow morning and pretend to be one of them. They’re going to see right through me, immediately able to detect the Thorn in me.
I laugh to myself. I am kinda prickly like a thorn, so I guess they’ll be right in a way. If I can get through the rest of this year, soon enough I’ll be at a college, having earned my spot on a team, and I’ll be able to look back at all of this and it’ll be like some weird dream.
On the bed next to me, my phone rings, startling me. It can only be one of four people. I doubt it’s Aria, so it’s either Ellie, Simon… or my mom. A ball of nerves seats itself right at the base of my throat when I see it’s the latter.
Even though every last piece of me screams to ignore the call, I reach out and tap accept. Picking up the phone, I’m immediately greeted by my mother’s screeching voice. “Where the fuck are you, Lyla? I got home and there are no groceries or anything. Are you out at the store right now?”
I close my eyes, trying to breathe slowly. In through the nose, out through the mouth. “That’s hilarious, Mom.”
“What’s funny?”
“No, really, you’re going to die laughing. Do you mean to tell me you’ve just now realized I’m not there?”
“I had shit to do, sweetheart.”
“I’ve been gone for three days, Mom. And you’ve had no clue. Awesome parenting right there, ladies and gentlemen.” I give a weak, sad laugh.
“Where the hell are you?”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m fine.”
“I’ll ask Simon. He’ll tell me.”
I cringe. I really, really hope he doesn’t. Simon agreed he’d help me get the spot on the team at Rosehaven, but more importantly, work it out so that no one would know my background. They’d snapped me up without so much as a second thought—and obviously not much digging around at all. It’s entirely possible they don’t know my mother is unaware that I’m here. That thought makes me nervous, because if my mother finds out where I am, it could definitely cause issues.
“Do me a favor and don’t call again. I’m fine.”
“I’m your mother.”
“Yes, but I’m not your problem anymore. I’ll be eighteen soon. Forget about me.”
“You have to finish school. You don’t want to turn out like me.”
Damn right I don’t. That’s why I’m here.“I’m in school, Mom. It’s all good.”
“You’re not shacked up with someone are you? You can’t afford a baby, trust me.”
“Mom! No, I’m not shacking up with a boyfriend.” Exasperated, I sigh. Tears prick the back of my eyes.
“Sweetheart?”
Oh boy. Here it comes.I clench my fist. “What?”
“Got any money for me? I sure could use some. Especially since you left me with no groceries.”
“No,” I hiss. “I have no money to give you.” Nervousness claws at me.
“Fine. Bye.” She ends the call before I can say anything.
Frustrated, I whip off my T-shirt, pull my sports bra over my head, and shove my shorts down. I think it’s about time I tried out that soaking tub. Throwing my phone down on the bed, I head for the bathroom. Before I can get there, my bedroom door opens unexpectedly, and my heart jams into the base of my throat as I slap my forearm over my bare breasts. I suck in a startled breath, then shriek out my surprise.
“Hey.” Beau blinks. “Fuck, sorry. I’m not used to knocking. I never do with Griff.”
“Well, yeah. That’s because he’s your brother. Knock next time.” I stare at him and make a little circling motion with my finger. “Could you turn around or something?”