Page 4 of Bad Boy
“Okay. . .” Mom says slowly, dark eyes searching my face, checking how I feel about things.
“Night, Ma.” I smile so she knows I’m genuinely happy to be here. “I’ll see you in the morning? I’m just gonna shower and crash.”
“Same here. Goodnight, honey.” She starts to shut the door, then pauses, remembering something. “Oh! Don’t forget. Orientation is first thing in the morning. Don’t be late, and you can take the car.”
Dammit. I did forget. “Got it,” I say instead.
“Actually, you can take any of the cars in the garage, Remi. Any at all. There are a lot to choose from. I don’t drive much anymore, but Clifford keeps them all in running order.” My pulse spikes at the thought of what cars could be parked inside those four garage doors. “And I know it’s a little soon, but I also wanted to discuss purchasing a new vehicle for each of you.”
Mom opens her mouth to protest, but Gramps halts her with a gentle hand on the shoulder. “Rainy, before you say no, just think about it. I never got to do this for you, and I’m making up for lost time with my grandson. And it would make an old man happy. So, just think about it?”
“She will. We will.” I interrupt before Mom can veto me getting a new car. Fuck that. After all the bullshit she made me live through in my adolescence, I deserve this. For no fucking reason, apparently. We could have been happy, healthy, well-fed, andsafe. Here, in Hunter Springs.
“Perfect. Thank you.” Richard smiles kindly, his brown eyes soft, warm, and glowing with an inner light and happiness. I mean,fuck, if buying me a new car makes him this happy, I’ll take a motorcycle, too. I’ll bring that up later, though, once I’ve secured the car.
“Belinda’s still here. If you’re hungry, just wander down to the kitchen, and she’ll reheat some of her delicious lasagna and garlic toast for you.”
“I’m good. We stopped for fast food about an hour ago,” I say, and Mom agrees, hastily saying goodnight before shutting her bedroom door. I think she just needs some alone time. I can’t imagine the feelings coursing through her right now, being back in this house. She acts like it’s all negative, but I’m sure she has some good memories warring with the bad.
“Well, I’ll show you to your new room, then.” I follow my grandfather down the hallway, excited to see my new space. Myownspace.
“Oh. One other thing for tomorrow, Remi. The tailor will be here later in the day to adjust your school uniforms as needed.”
“Uniforms?” I blurt becausefuck, I’ll die before I wear khakis.
Richard just chuckles at my outburst. “Yes, dear boy. Did your mother not tell you about your new school? She went there as well.”
“She didn’t tell me shit, Gramps,” I say, being completely honest with him. I’m feeling salty as hell about the secrets she’s kept from me my entire shitty life. She needs a better explanation for her lies because her reasoning in the car was complete bullshit.
Richard startles at my words, stopping in the middle of the hallway and turning toward me. His dark eyes, so like my own, shine dangerously close to an emotion I don’t know how to handle.
“Nothing? Nothing at all?”
“Nope,” I say, popping the “p” as I lean against the wall and fold my arms across my chest. “I’ve never even seen a photo of you or anyone else from her past. Didn’t know your name. Didn’t know Mom came from money. And didn’t know we were poor by choice, apparently,” I scoff and roll my eyes. “Fucking ridiculous, if you ask me.”
He doesn’t tell me not to curse or that it’s not true. He knows it is. He’s lived with the loneliness and pain of having his only daughter, his only child, leave and never look back, blocking contact for eighteen fucking years. I know she says her mother was awful, but there would have been opportunities to reconcile. I honestly don’t know if I can forgive her for this. At least not yet. I close my eyes and breathe slowly, opening them when a firm grip gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
“You’re here now. That’s what’s important. And I’m ready to make up for the last eighteen years and get to know you if you’ll let me.” His eyes shimmer with hope and, dare I even say,love. I’ve never really had anyone love me. I mean, Mom does in her own way, but she never really says it. I’ve been a burden to her my entire life. I know this.
“Looking forward to it,” I assure him, smiling back because how can I do anything else when he’s being so fucking genuine and welcoming. We continue our journey to the other wing of the house and stop in front of another oversized wooden door.
“This was your mother’s room. It offers more privacy being on the other side of the house from us, so I figured that’s exactly what an eighteen-year-old needs. I know I did at your age,” he chuckles warm-heartedly, and I find myself laughing with him.
“Thanks, Gramps. That sounds perfect.”
Privacy and seclusion are exactly what I need. I may be pissed at Mom, but I plan to pay her back for every penny she spent to bail my dumbass out and clear my record.
Because I don’t plan to stop fighting.
I never did.
I just won’t get caught this time.
CHAPTERTHREE
LINC
I’m running late.
