Page 12 of Heartbreak Hero

She had been eight and Shane four when the Jones family had adopted them. They were biological brother and sister and had lost their parents in a car accident a few months prior.

Laura Jones had looked her and Shane over and decided that they would take them home and groom them according to some hierarchical system that Sara now wanted no part of.

Of course, when she was younger, she had enjoyed the perks of being with the Jones.

She had indulged in yearly trips to Switzerland and brought her friends along with her. Sure, It had been fun growing up with the Jones name because they wore the best clothes, went to private schools, and were given cars to drive.

But that had been before her adoptive mother and father tried to mold her into something she didn’t want.

When she wanted to attend cosmetology school after getting her business degree, her parents had been livid. They wanted herto continue her education and get her PhD to become a lawyer—of all fucking things.

They couldn’t prevent her from starting up the salon, but they told her she would get no financial assistance whatsoever.

Sara didn’t need their help, and they soon realized it when she put herself through cosmetology school and opened her own beauty salon.

She was suddenly reminded of the phone call from her mother a few weeks ago. That was when she became grateful her phonehadbeen stolen.

“I need you home,” Laura Jones had said flatly.

“Sorry, I can’t make it.”

“Your engagement party is coming up.”

“I’m not getting engaged.”

“After all I’ve done for you. After all I’ve given you.”

“And I appreciate it, but I’m not going to marry some blue blood you picked out so his family can line your pockets.”

“Are you sure about that?”

Sara’s stomach fell. “What do you mean?”

“Shane hasn’t finished his master’s yet.”

She heard the threat in Laura’s voice. If she didn’t toe the line, then her adoptive mom would use Shane as leverage.

“He’s a grown man. I’m sure Shane will figure it out,” Sara said snidely. “I’m not going to marry Justin whomever and you can’t make me.”

“You think so?”

“Wow…just wow…” Sara sighed into the phone. Her adoptive mother was living in an era long past.

“Goodbye,” Sara said and hung up the phone.

“You gonna eat with us?”

Mandy’s voice floated from the doorway, jerking her back to the dusty room filled with boxes, and Sara leaped from the bed.

“You bet I am.”

Kevin Wilson sat across from Chester Miller and sipped at his drink.

The Velvet Lounge was quiet for an early afternoon Monday.

“Where’s that cute manager of yours?”

“She’ll be in later.” Kevin was used to men asking about Sara. She was all kinds of hot, and when she told him she was looking for work, he had offered her the manager’s job at his lounge on the spot.

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