Page 31 of Every Single Vow
Billy was probably lying. Trying to scare me. I never could trust a word coming out of his mouth.
“Are you sure? Cooper isn’t home yet, and I don’t want you to...”
Be impulsive. Reckless.
As usual.
On any other day I would. But I have a twelve year old girl down the hall who needs me to be in control.
“Seriously, Ivy. I’m alright.”
I’ll break down later.
She studies me a second before she slides her phone back into her pocket. “Ok.”
“I need to check on Arizona anyway. I’m sure she’s wondering what the plan is from here. That’s what we should focus on.”
With a quick nod, she wraps me in a hug. “I’m here if you need me.”
“Thanks, Ives.”
Once the front door shuts behind her, I take a deep breath.
He can’t hurt you.
He’s far away.
He won’t come back here.
My palms land on the countertop as I close my eyes. The urge to run is strong. The urge to ride. To hideout. But it was time I stopped letting Billy Sterling wreak havoc on my life. Even from behind bars.
Moving my feet, I start down the hallway, stopping in front of the guest bedroom door. I knock twice, waiting for Arizona to respond.
“Come in,” she calls.
I crack open the door, peeking in. “You got a sec?”
She sits her notepad down on the bed. “Step into my office.”
This girl has such a personality.
Pushing my way through the door, I make it to the bed, sitting down on the end while she’s resting against the headboard.
“So, how are you doing?” I ask, wincing when she keeps a blank stare.
“Fine.” She fidgets with her pencil. “Are you ok?”
“Me? Of course.” I pull my legs up, tucking them beneath me. “I just wanted to make sure you were settling in. See if there was anything you needed. I’m sure you are wondering what the heck is going on around here.”
“I’m good. I actually have a bed to sleep in, so no complaints here.” She shrugs.
My heart pangs. Then anger rises at my mother. How careless she was.
“Well, you will always have a bed to sleep in here. I promise you,” I tell her with sincerity.
“Now that Cooper and I are legally married, we can file the paperwork to request custody. It will most likely be temporary at first, and we have to jump through a few hoops, but I don’t want you to worry.”
“Ok.” She flickers her eyes up to me.
