The Road That Leads to Us (Us 1)

Neither had seeing my mom’s bra or my dad’s hand skimming up her skirt.

I turned around, walking away as fast as my feet would carry me. “I’m going to go throw up now!”

I heard them shuffling in the kitchen, no doubt righting their clothes.

Thank God there had been no exposed body parts.

I might’ve been traumatized for life.

“Willow!” I heard my mom call my name, but I was already headed for the stairs. “We didn’t know you were coming home.”

“Yeah, I kinda sorta forgot to call on my way out of hell,” I muttered under my breath, hurrying up the steps.

“Willow.” She called again and this time her voice was close.

I paused on the stairs and turned to find her standing at the bottom of the staircase with her hands on her hips.

“Are you okay, honey?” A wrinkle marred her brow.

With her wild and untamable blonde hair, kind blue eyes, and boho chic style, my mom was still a knockout at forty-one years old.

“Just dandy.”

She narrowed her eyes on me. “Spill it, I know you’re lying.”

Groaning, I stomped up the rest of the stairs. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

I headed down the hall and up the attic stairs to my bedroom.

I knew my mom was following, but I acted like I didn’t notice.

Kicking off my black and white Chucks I belly flopped onto my gray and yellow paisley bedspread. Wrapping my arms around the pillow I inhaled the familiar scent of the lavender fabric softener my mom always used.

The bed dipped near my feet.

“What happened, sweetie?” She asked.

I rolled over onto my back and frowned. “Everything.”

“Talking about it will probably make you feel better.”

“And so will this tea.”

I smiled at the sound of my dad’s voice as he appeared in the doorway of my room.

“Hi, dad.”

“Hey, princess.”

I might’ve been nineteen years old now, but I would always be my daddy’s princess.

He handed me one of the cups of tea and gave the other to my mom.

Pulling out the fluffy white swivel desk chair he took a seat and clasped his hands together.

“We weren’t expecting you home.”

I snorted. “I kinda figured that out. I’m sorry. I should’ve called. Where are Mascen and Lylah?” I looked around like they might suddenly jump out from behind my bed.