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ChapterOne
RYLEE
"We there yet?"
I don't fight the smile that spreads across my lips. "You're in luck, Little Bug.Thistime, yes, we are almost there." Layla’s answering squeal makes my ears cringe.
"When we swim in the big lake?" My eyes flit to the rearview mirror to see her nose plastered up against the window.
My eyes warm in tune with my heart. "Ocean, say ocean." A giggle bubbles beneath my ribcage when my five-year-old butchers her pronunciation. "We will go swimming in the ocean soon." If she keeps hearing the word, hopefully, it will help her learn how to say it. "Let's go home first. What do you think?"
All the airy joy I was feeling plummets when I catch sight of her furrowed brows above her crystal blue eyes. A mirror of my own.
"Not Daddy." Layla's little voice is firm and absolutely not a question.
Fighting back the tears that threaten to distract me from the busy roads of Charleston, I try to be grateful for how mature my daughter is. It sucks how aware she was during her first years of life. Maybe I'm a terrible person for being relieved that my little girl wants nothing to do with her dad, but her feelings are valid.
"No Daddy. I promise, Bug. We are going to our new home, kind of like the last one. With this one, we can go to the big ocean whenever you want!" My voice is as cheerful as the smile I flash at her.
It's a weak attempt to keep the guilt from eating at me. It's always there. Just below the surface, festering on any sign of weakness I show it. But I can't. Layla has seen enough of my tears to last a lifetime. We left so she would never have to watch her mommy cower and cry ever again.
"Yeah! Beach!"
Just like that, she has me huffing a laugh once again, her speech sounding more likebitch.
Cranking the volume on theMoanasoundtrack, I hum along to the beat, enjoying the salty breeze dancing with my freshly colored locks. White curls tickle the edge of my vision, Layla jamming to her favorite songs in her car seat. Eyes wide, she takes in the winding streets of our new neighborhood in South Carolina.
Excitement and giddiness brighten her teeny features when I park. Our new little townhome is just outside of the heart of Charleston. A quiver in my chin forces me to take a deep breath. She amazes me every day with how accepting she is.
We have moved every few months for a little over a year now, and each time, she’s welcomed the change with open arms and high pitch appreciation. Unfortunately, we can't keep going like this much longer.
I havemaybeenough left of the money my Nanna left me to get us by for two more moves unless this next release does well.God, I hope my readers really love this one. We need it.
"Mommy, look! Pink hair!"
Releasing a sigh of tension, I tuck my copper flyaways behind my ear and unbuckle my seatbelt. Out of the car, my shoulders relax as a woman approaches us. Pink bob bouncing, sundress swaying, she skips over to the car with a lanyard of keys swinging from her fingers.
I open the back door, ducking to unstrap Layla before setting her down beside me in the driveway. Her thrilled chatter at meeting someone new is background noise to my assessment of the stranger approaching us.
"Hi!" The woman thrusts a dainty hand out. "I'm Gabby Harper; you must be the new tenants."
Giving her hand a quick shake, I nod and take a step further away without making it obvious that I don't like her so close to us. "Yes, I'm Rylee." I smile down at my bouncing girl holding onto the hem of my dress. "This is my daughter, Layla."
My hand gives an involuntary twitch when the woman suddenly bends at the waist with her hands on her knees. "Hi, Layla! It's so wonderful to meet you, sweetie!"
Thankfully, Layla doesn't seem to dislike Gabby, which is made evident when she rambles about the drive from Mississippi. The woman bursts into a fit of laughter when my sweet girl butchers the tongue twister. Twining my fingers with Bug's, I allow my eyes to trail away from her and take in the cream-colored townhome. White shutters are framed with pink flowers in the late morning sunlight, the lawn freshly cut and bright green.
This was a decision I made after Layla went to bed one night. Alone with my thoughts of wanting to give her everything this life has to offer; I decided the East Coast would be perfect.
So, I splurged wanting Layla to swim in the ocean and come home coated in sand to a comfortable, fancy home. We haven't been staying in dumps, luckily. Nanna's money has been used for more than just an escape. Layla has had the adventure of a lifetime this past year.
"Would you like a tour?" Gabby's twinkly voice snaps me out of my thoughts.
"No, thank you. We will just take the keys."
I swear her entire five-foot-two frame turns into a representation of confusion and concern. I would feel bad for being so curt, but I can't deal with someone in my new home right away.
"Okay." I will admit that her muted tone does grate on my nerves, since I'm the one who dimmed her spirit. "Here you go!" Bright smile back in place, if not a little tight, she hands the keys over.
