Ugly girl

Chapter 23

I slide out of Slade’s arms peeling the blanket up just a sliver, not wanting him get cold. What was I thinking spending the night here? Shay is going to be beside herself, Blake’s going to be tearing down people’s doors while Ben is probably down at the police station filing a missing person’s report.

I duck around his room, grabbing my clothes and trying my best to get dressed without waking him. He looks so peaceful, nothing at all like the tough, intimidating guy that I’ve come to know him as.

Last night was incredible and I find myself excited to do it all over again, yet I don’t know if I’ll ever get a chance. I don’t know where we stand. I’m a little shaky on the details due to my post-sex fog, but I’m pretty sure I admitted that I was into him. Things were said and I know he called me his girl, but how did he mean it? Are we together or was it just one of those things you say to the girl who just made you come?

I don’t know what kind of Slade I’m going to get next and the thought has nerves creeping in. I hate it. I like being strong, I like knowing what I’m up against, and right now, there’s a whole lot of confusion. Hell, I’m not even sure what I want from him myself.

Do I want to be his girlfriend? I don’t know, but do I want to be the girl he calls, the one who’s supporting him at his games, the one who knows him best? Damn fucking straight, I do.

Shit. I’m in a world of trouble.

I get myself dressed and grab my jacket and bra off his desk. Opening his door, I stick my head out and peer up and down the hall. I know he said his sisters were at a sleepover, but his parents were just out for a business di

With the coast clear, I sneak out into the hall, peeking behind doors until I find the bathroom. I quickly freshen up but don’t put too much effort into it seeing as though I live a shitload closer than I ever imagined. I’m still baffled by how oblivious I was to the fact that he was so close all this time. That weekend of no sleep without my knife could have been so much easier had I known it was just a few houses down. I could have raided the place and had it back in my hand in mere seconds.

The question of my knife is throwing me off though. Slade said I’d be safe with him last night and after fooling around a little more, I fell into a peaceful sleep, curled into his warm arms. My hand didn’t go searching under pillows for a weapon and my brain didn’t take me to places it shouldn’t go. I felt safe just like he said I would be and what’s more is that I trusted he’d take care of me. I don’t know whether that should frighten me or not. Putting trust in someone only opens me up to allowing them the chance to betray me.

I try to put it to the back of my head. This shit only just happened, I shouldn’t be thinking so hard about it, I should relax and try to enjoy the journey. The Lucien bullshit is far from over but I shouldn’t let that hold me back from enjoying other aspects of my life.

I walk out into the living room and come to a startling stop as I come face to face with Slade’s mom. Her eyes bulge out in surprise and my mouth drops open, horrified that I was just sprung by my possible boyfriend’s mom doing the walk of shame. How freaking humiliating.

“Oh,” she says in surprise. “This is different.”

“I….um….” I cringe, having absolutely no idea what to say to this woman. I mean, what is there to say? Thanks for letting me crash in your house after your son boned me until I screamed? No.

“Don’t worry,” she says with a heavy sigh. “I really shouldn’t be surprised when it comes to that boy. You don’t need to explain yourself. I was young once too.”

I give her an awkward smile and go to head for the door but as I get closer, something pulls at a memory within me. I find myself stopping and staring at the woman before me as she watches me back, wondering what kind of weirdo her son has brought into her home.

It finally clicks and I pull in a sharp breath as my eyes widen in shock. She’s the girl from the photograph, Daniella Peirce, the one with my mom and Lucien, though back then she would have known him as Lucas Valery. So many things come to mind of what I should say to this woman. She’s the one who could help nail that bastard, she’s been in my position, she knows what it’s like to have that man steal your i

I could say hundreds of things right now but what comes out of my mouth has tears springing to my eyes. “You knew my mom.”

“Excuse me?” Daniella says, tilting her head as she tries to place me.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Cruz, I know I must sound insane, but I found an old photograph of you with my mother, Rochelle. You were friends.”

Her hand flies to her mouth and she stares at me as though she’s looking at a ghost. “You’re Chelle’s little girl?” she questions with tears filling her eyes.

I nod, feeling a co

“Oh,” she cries, bounding through her living room to get to me. She crashes into me, throwing her warm, inviting arms around me. “Oh, sweet girl. I thought we’d never see you again.” I hold onto her with everything I’ve got as she squeezes me tight. “Your mom was my best friend. I still think of her to this day. I miss her so much.”

“Me too,” I say, feeling the tears begin to stream down my face.

Daniella lets out a heavy sigh and takes me by the shoulders, pulling me back to get a good look at my face. “Oh, honey, you look so much like her.” I smile as she pulls me deeper into her living room. “So beautiful and all grown up. Can I get you something to drink? How about some breakfast? I can make you bacon and eggs. I know your mom loved that.”

“I’m fine, really. Shay is probably cooking breakfast as we speak.”

“Shaylee?” she asks with wide eyes. “Are you living with her now? How is she? It’s been far too long since I’ve seen her. We were years apart in age and unfortunately grew out of touch but I still see her from time to time in the grocery store or out for walks.”

“She’s doing really well,” I tell her. “Me and Blake moved in a few weeks ago.”

“Blake?” she questions, making the tears start all over again. “He’s alive? Oh, thank God. All these years we had no idea what had happened to you two. I’m so pleased to hear that you’re alright.”

“We’re doing our best,” I tell her.

Daniella pulls me in again, rubbing her hand up and down my back as though she can hardly believe that I’m standing here in front of her. “Where have you been all these years? I’ve hated thinking about where you two could have ended up.”

I pull back and give her a soft look. “Actually…do you mind if I talk to you about that?”

“Of course, darling. Anything you need.”

“You’re not going to like it,” I warn her. “It actually has something to do with Lucien Valentine.”

Recognition of his new identity hits instantly and her eyes go wide with fear. “How do you know that name?” she demands, trying to keep her tone soft but the fear wins out and has it sounding as more of a demand.

“Can we sit?” I question. “This probably isn’t going to be easy for either of us.”

Her brows furrow in confusion and I see her trying to mentally map it all together and work out how her monster could possibly have anything to do with me or my family. “Of course,” she says, her voice a little shaky.