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My hazy gaze found his stern eyes, and even though I was flushed with the pleasure he’d just given my body, he still wouldn’t let me go. I stared back at him, truly unsure of what was coming next, but something inside of me chanted a very familiar tune.
You can trust him. You can trust him. You can trust him.
Chapter One – Rose
Crap here we go again.
Nothing good ever came in the mail. The first few days after the first of the month were the days when most of our bills came and I was reminded how dirt poor we really were.
Oh well. There was no need to prolong the pain any further. “Rip that Band-Aid off”, as my mom would say. I took a deep breath and opened the mailbox.
Stacked neatly inside were three threatening letters from the same credit card companies letting me know that I was ninety days behind.
No shit, Sherlock.
The hole I kept digging every month just kept getting deeper. I’m one straw away from breaking the camel’s back.
And when that happens… shit, I don’t know what I’ll do.
The one bright spot of this morning’s trip to the mailbox was the thick pack of coupons at the bottom of the stack.
I tucked the bills under my arm and tore into the coupons as I walked back up the gravel drive to the house I shared with Cassie, and my ten year old brother. Coupons were a necessity of life in Rose’s world.
“Sis! Is breakfast ready yet?”
“Why don’t you come down here and see for yourself?”
I dashed my behind to the kitchen stove to scramble the now nearly burned eggs in a pan, while Kevin bounded down the stairs. His brooding eyes narrowed as he saw me standing at the stove, and I could feel the quip coming on before he even spat it out.
“I thought you said breakfast was—”
“I only said to come see. Sit. Now.”
He groaned but sat down at the table. He blew spit bubbles, and I grimaced. His dark hair fluttered around his head as he leaned back into his chair. He needed a haircut, but that would have to wait. The morning was as hectic as ever. I had to get Kevin to school before I could even think about clocking in for work, and I was running behind.
Fifteen minutes behind, to be exact.
My cell phone rang on the counter, and I saw Crystal’s name pop up. I loved my best friend and all, but I really needed a break. I didn’t need to be taking her call right now, but I knew if I didn’t pick up, she’d just keep calling and calling.
“Sis, food!” Kevin demanded.
“Sit down and hush. It’s almost ready.”
“We’re gonna be late for school,” Kevin said.
“And had it not taken me ten minutes to roll you outta bed, we wouldn’t be running late. Buck up and hush.”
I picked up the phone and pinned it to my ear with my shoulder as the toast popped out of the toaster. I could feel the sweat trickling down the back of my neck. Of all the mornings for Crystal to be chatting in my ear, it had to be this one.
“What?” I asked.
“Oh, good. You’re in a shitty mood. I’ve got something that’ll make you feel better!”
“You know I love you, but do spit it out because I’m late,” I said.
“Ooh. Testy. I’m inviting you for a long weekend in New York City. My penthouse is open to you, and we really need to catch up. I haven’t seen you much since school.”
“Responsibility will do that to you, I guess.”
