I just wanted to get to my room and turn my anger and jealousy into lyrics and music, the only things that ever truly relieved my aching heart.
“Pax,” Lana quipped as I walked the hall. “Will you read me to sleep? Moira is off tonight and Mom doesn’t like to read. Besides, she’s passed out anyways.”
Inwardly, I sighed. I wasn’t in the mood to entertain the kid, but one look at her hopeful face and I gave in.
No matter how furious I was at CC, I couldn’t help but feel happiness looking at Lana.
“Fine. But only for thirty minutes tonight. I have a headache.”
“Yes.” She closed her zombie game, gave a fist pump, and set her phone on the nightstand. “Peter Pan, right?”
Nodding, I walked to my bedroom and grabbed the book, then returned and settled into my chair.
“We’re almost finished with the story, you know.” I opened the book to the part with the bookmark.
“That’s okay. We can start a new one.” Her gap-toothed grin blasted me as she slid under her covers.
I began reading, trying to put energy into each character just as my mother had done for me, hoping I’d lose myself and not think about CC and Mick making out at the theater.
Ten minutes later, I started the part where Peter forgot to return and get Wendy for spring cleaning, finishing the story. “And that’s the end.” I shut the book.
A slight whisper of rustling movements floated from the hallway.
I forced myself not to glance toward the cracked door, knowing Terri must be listening.
“That’s so sad, Pax.” Lana frowned. “How could Peter have forgotten to get Wendy?”
“Maybe because she ran home and left him alone.” Unable to help myself, I moved my stare to the door.
In the shadows, I caught the barest glimpse of light shining from CC’s eyes before she left.
“Poor Peter. He lost everyone, didn’t he?” Hugging her Darryl figurine to her chest, Lana petted the toy’s face.
“Maybe he was always meant to be alone.” I stood. “Now, go to sleep. I’ll find us a new story tomorrow.”
“Okay.” She yawned. “But pick something with a better ending.”
I switched off her lamp.
If only we could all choose a better ending.
Shutting her door, I stepped into the hallway and marched straight to Cotton Candy’s room. Not bothering to knock, I twisted the handle and pushed against the wood.
Chapter twenty
Terri Kingston
Icouldn’thelpmyself.Hearing Paxton’s low murmur coming from Lana’s bedroom, I crept closer to hear the story, feeling cold and left out.
Mick was interested in me for more than a partner in Jiu-Jitsu, and for a moment, it had felt wonderful to know someone found me attractive, yet as his lips had skimmed my neck, I couldn’t stop thinking of how Paxton’s eyes lit up every time he saw me, how his mouth and hands had always been gentle…of how his lips had met Katrina’s.
Unable to tolerate one more moment in the dark theater with Mick, I’d begged him to take me home. Being a gentleman, he’d complied without a complaint.
I stalked to the bathroom, pulled out my toothbrush, and slathered toothpaste on the bristles, aggressively cleaning my teeth.
Have I been wrong this entire time and only seeing and hearing what I wanted?
It physically hurt my heart thinking of Paxton with another girl—especially Katrina—but I couldn’t deny what I’d seen. Her blonde, slender figure pressed against his tall, hard body.
