Chapter 4
Ihaven’t been back in my room for more than five seconds when my phone vibrates. As I pull it out from the pocket it’s been wedged in, I thumb it open to see it’s my friend Ellie, checking in on me. That girl. I’m going to miss the hell out of her. It makes my heart twinge. Shoot, I miss her already.
Ellie:Have you gotten there yet?
Ellie:What’s their house like?
Ellie:OMG don’t tell me you’ve already gotten sucked into their world and have forgotten me.
I chuckle for a second. It would be hard to forget my bubbly best friend. She’s about the only thing I’m going to miss from my old life. And I warned her—once I left, I kinda hoped I wouldn’t be back. She swears she’s going to follow me wherever I end up.
Me:I am …
I frown. How do I put this?
Me: Slightly overwhelmed so far. Our trailer would fit in the entryway of this place.
Ellie:Oh, shit.
Me:And, I swear to you, the walk-in closet is the size of a bedroom.
Ellie:Hot damn. You struck gold, then, huh?
Me:I guess so.
Ellie:How about the family? Nice?
Me: Well, they thought my name was Lyle and were expecting a guy.
Ellie:Oh, snap.
Me:But I think it’ll be okay.
Ellie:How about the sons? Are they cute? Fun?
Ellie:Or are they rich assholes?
Me:One has a huge dick. I’ll fill you in later.
I laugh to myself, knowing that last comment is going to have her eyes bugging out, and she’ll be cursing me since I’m leaving her hanging. With that amusing thought in my head, I tuck my phone back into the pocket of my skinny jeans so I can get back to unpacking like I should have been doing instead of snooping around and ogling some stranger’s junk.
I groan as I realize how ridiculous this ginormous closet looks with the piddly amount of clothing I own hanging in it. I’ve got three uniforms for school, which were given to me as part of my scholarship. There are a few other tops hanging up, but that’s it. I silently pray no one pokes around in my stuff. I don’t need anyone to know how little I’ve actually come here with. Thank fuck for uniforms, actually. It’s hard to tell who has money and who doesn’t when you’re all forced to wear the same thing.
I pull the last of my clothing from my suitcase and tuck everything in the drawers of the dresser—two bras, a handful of panties, socks, some leggings and joggers, a sweatshirt, my practice leotards, and a second pair of jeans. I’ll have to remember to ask where the laundry room is, because I’m always washing things.
After I put my toiletries into the drawers in the bathroom, I stare at my reflection in the mirror and realize I have nothing left to do. I’m unsure if I should stay here or go downstairs or what. And now that I’ve been caught sneaking around, I have no idea if Beau will say something to his parents or brother, or if he’ll be the type to keep his mouth shut about it.
Ugh.I have no idea. I didn’t get a good enough read on him in those two minutes I’d talked to him to say for sure. As I let my mind drift back, thinking on it, my eyes roam over the reflection in the mirror, curious what Beau thought when he first saw me standing next to his bed. I’ve got a heart-shaped face, a pert little nose like my mom’s, and hazel eyes. My medium-length brown hair has a hint of red and is just the right length to scoop into a ponytail. I’m nothing special, but I’m attractive enough, I guess.
None of this matters, not one bit, because meeting boys and having fun isn’t on the agenda. That’s not why you’re here, Lyla.
With a deep breath, I tuck my hair behind my ears, then look down at my outfit: my favorite purple sweater, jeans, and sneakers. I wonder if I’m dressed appropriately for dinner. I don’t have anything nicer to wear, so worrying about it is pointless.
And now I’m totally stalling, nervous to officially meet these boys who attend Rosehaven Academy and who I’ll be living with for the foreseeable future. Time to suck it up, buttercup, and show them you’re made of strong stuff. They’d better think twice before they cross you.