Page 56 of Petals of Blue: Part One
"News flash, dipshits, words don't have the power to blindfold you. Erica made you all smile. She made you want to bemore! How could you let the words of rich pricks steal your motivation?!"
"Derrick, honey..."
My breath catches, and I slam a hand over my mouth as a sob fights to break free. Jared's mom steps into view, and my goodness, she isbeautiful. I wish I could reach through the phone and beg her to hug me.
I miss Clara so much.
Derrick seems to deflate, and the phone wiggles a little. Roman getting nervous maybe? Why does that make me feel giddy again?
When Derrick finally says something, his voice is much quieter. "Where is she?"
"What?" Jared, I think, asks.
"Erica. Where is she?" Derrick doesn't even turn to look near the guys. Just stares at the ground.
"Home, I think," Roman answers this time. I so badly want to scream that I'm here and beg for their address. What I wouldn't give to see Derrick's beaming smile as he greets me like he used to. These people were always so happy to see me. Would they still feel the same way?
"And what are your intentions?" Derrick’s dropping bombs, I see.
The phone jolts, and I believe Roman just stiffened.What is it he's worried about me hearing?
Someone clears their throat. "To love and cherish her." Silence. At least on their end because I am absolutelywheezingover Felix's declaration. I can't catch my breath I am so stunned.
"We want her to be ours," Declan adds, and there are a few grunts that sound like agreement.
Derrick turns slowly, looking at a few different points around where Roman holds his phone. "Her presence is required at Thanksgiving. Fix it, bring her home."
The screen wiggles and the video chat ends, but my mind isn't ready to rest.What just happened?! COME BACK!
My phone pings, and a text from Roman comes through.
Roman
Monday 7:45am
Roman : Have a good day, beautiful.
Me: You too!
Read
Tuesday 6:56pm
Roman : Feeling avenged, Petal?
Tears soak my cheeks. Yes, and all I want to do is drive to their townhome and beg them to tell me if what they said was the truth. Which feels like a problem I should think about. Where did this attachment come from?
Ineed three to five business days to process this.
Thirty-Six
ROMAN
No response, only a read receipt. I would give anything to know what Blue thinks about the total ass-reaming Jared's dad gave us. Mr. Jones has always been the kindest man. I knew we would be in some deep shit when he found out about Blue, but I didn't expectthat.
Derrick acted as if his own daughter, his flesh and blood, was the one so viscerally betrayed by us. Jared didn't seem surprised, neither did Declan, which makes me wonder what I missed after moving away.
"Roman, are you okay?" Declan murmurs. The other two left the kitchen a little while ago, but Dec stayed and seems to be watching over me. Sometimes I forget I'm the big brother.
