“I really don’t have the cash to throw around,” I said belligerently.
Remy reached out and covered my hands with his large hands. “I know how you feel,” he said quietly. “If it makes you feel better you can work part-time at one of my restaurants. It’s five minutes away from campus so you can catch a bus to it. Work twenty hours a week until you graduate, and I will pay them back.”
Looking into his blue-grey eyes, I felt like he truly did. He had street smarts about him that none of the others had. A little bit of seriousness that made me believe his life was probably the most like mine.
I knew twenty hours a week wouldn’t cover the spending Jemmy would more than likely want to do, so I was torn.
“Once you’re comfortable with your powers, and if you’re interested, you can always come work for Knights as well. I’m sure the guys and Jemmy wouldn’t mind an additional member of the team,” Will suggested.
I nodded reluctantly. It couldn’t be as bad as working half naked for tips. I told myself it wasn’t complete charity if I would work it off later.
“I generally go to the restaurant on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays,” Drake said quietly from across the table. “You can catch a ride with me if you would like?”
“I guess that can work,” I said, hesitantly. There were so many things going on in my life all at once.
“Excellent,” Will clapped his hands. “It’s settled then.” He handed Jemmy a credit card. “Don’t go overboard with your own personal purchases,” he gave her an indulgent smile.
Jemmy smiled wide. “You know me so well, Pops.” She winked at him then grinned at me. “We’re going to have so much fun.”
“You’re an open book; it’s not that hard to know your actions,” Drake muttered with a small smile.
“She’s not a doll baby, so take it easy on her,” Noah warned.
At Jemmy’s expression, all the guys started laughing.
I leaned back in my chair and realized I had only known these people for a brief period of time—if you didn’t count Mr. Jace being my teacher and my mental connection with Jax—but I felt like I fit in somehow. It was a feeling I hadn’t felt in a long time.
Chapter 8
I felt a churning in my stomach as Mr. Jace, Will, Jax, Remy, and I headed over to my stepmom’s trailer. That feeling of embarrassment engulfed me once more as we pulled into the park. Jax and Mr. Jace had controlled expressions on their faces since they had already seen how we had lived. Remy looked grim, but Will looked positively angered.
“Is this how Roger had you living? Where he was hiding you?” he asked, his jaw clenched.
“No,” I said quickly, a little perturbed that he would think my dad…my uncle… would have me living in these conditions. “We moved around a lot, but we always stayed somewhere nice. When he was killed, he had us in a beautiful four bedroom, three bathroom house. We had an inground pool and lived in a respectable neighborhood.” I cleared my throat, fighting the emotions warring in me. “Heidi, my stepmom, stopped paying rent on it and we ended up moving in with her mother.”
When we pulled up in front of the trailer Jax and Mr. Jace exited the vehicle with me. “You guys can stay here,” I said with a shake of my head.
“We don’t want you by yourself with her,” Jax said clenching his jaw.
“I’ve been by myself for years,” I said obstinately. When he looked like he wanted to argue I held my hand up. “Please. Let me do this.”
Reluctantly, he nodded.
I took the stairs up to the dilapidated porch and prayed that this would be the last time I ever had to come here. I really didn’t need much; just a few mementos. I needed my notebook full of music I had created over the years, my money, the picture of my dad/uncle, Ella’s first baby blanket, a few snapshots I had of myself and Ella, and a few other things I knew Ella would want.
I was surprised to see that the house was eerily quiet. There was no television blaring or sounds of any movement. I wrinkled my nose in disdain as I looked around the tiny trailer. I had only been gone for a day and a half, but it looked like it had been a lot longer. The trailer was in total disarray; trash, food, dishes, drugs, alcohol bottles, beer cans, and more paraphernalia was strewn everywhere. Gingerly, I made my way to my room and pulled the trunk out of the closet. Everything I really wanted was in
here. I just needed to add a few items.
I grabbed my money first and stuffed it down to the bottom. I then started collecting the new items I had just got Ella; she would be hurt if I forgot them.
If I hadn’t been so self-absorbed and focused, I would have heard the heavy footsteps in the hallway.
“Well, well, well, look what the cat drug in,” a familiar voice drawled behind me. My skin instantly crawled.
I hastily turned and took a step back. “Stay away from me,” I hissed with false bravado. “My friends are right outside, and I will scream.”
He laughed humorously. “I saw, that’s why I parked down the street and came through the back door.”