Bastards and Scapegoats (Twisted Legacy Duet #1) - CoraLee June Page 0,15
family. You feel obligated to love them. Blood can be a curse if you aren’t careful.”
I swallowed. It was like Hamilton had spoken my greatest fears. I was the family forced on my mother; Joseph and this new baby were the family she’d chosen. In the end, would she have enough room for me?
Hot tears filled my eyes, and I nervously swatted them, praying that Hamilton didn’t think I was crazy for crying in the front seat. We barely knew one another.
“Obligatory love is the worst kind of love,” I whispered in agreement.
Hamilton turned to me, concern marring his expression. I swatted another tear as he kept glancing at me. “Oh, Vera,” he said before turning into a parking lot full of townhomes. “Don’t cry.”
“I’m fine,” I snapped when he patted my leg. It was a tender but quick touch, and I had the sudden urge to grab his hand.
He pulled his hand back and parked before turning off the car. I looked around, not sure where we were. “I thought you were taking me to a hotel. What’s this?” I asked, my voice rough with emotion. I wasn’t expecting to get so worked up by his comment. It had been such a difficult day. I just wanted to get cozy and go to sleep.
“My house,” Hamilton replied with a polite grin before getting out of the car and walking up the sidewalk to a front door painted navy blue. I looked around at the white wood townhomes with manicured lawns. It was a middle-class neighborhood full of starter homes with young kids playing on the street, dogs barking, and trees swaying in the wind. It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting of Hamilton. A bachelor pad would have been more appropriate.
I opened the door and grabbed my duffel bag. “This isn’t a hotel, Hamilton,” I called at his back as he fumbled with his keys and unlocked the door.
“This is safer. Plus, I have ingredients for a killer taco casserole,” he replied over his shoulder before going inside. I gaped at him for a moment before sighing and following after him.
No sooner had I walked through the front door than a large gray ball of floof had launched for me. I giggled at the deep, excited bark and dropped to my knees to pet my new friend, all thoughts of Saint and being at Hamilton’s house long gone. I loved dogs. Mom never let me get one because they were an “unnecessary expense,” but once I was done with school, I was totally getting my own little rescue.
“Oh my goodness, hey there, girl!” I scratched behind her ears. I didn’t really know what her breed was. She had dark gray short hair and a wide snout. Her eyes were a deep chocolate color, and her short tail wagged excitedly as I gave her a hug.
“What’s your name?” I asked. “I bet it’s perfect because you are just the best little buddy ever,” I cooed. Hamilton cleared his throat, and I looked up at him. Leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, he had an amused look on his face.
“Her name is Little Mama. Found her in an alley with four pups. I couldn’t leave them. After finding all her babies homes, I decided to keep her for myself. My roommate watches her when I’m on the rig.”
“Little Mama,” I squealed. Okay, her name was the cutest name ever. “If you ever need a dog sitter, let me know. Mom never let me have a dog,” I said with a pout.
Hamilton grabbed a leash hanging on the wall, and Little Mama forgot all about me. He clicked it onto her collar as I stood up. I didn’t wait for an invitation to join the two of them on a walk, and the three of us went outside and started exploring the sidewalk. “I might take you up on the dog sitting thing. My roommate got a girlfriend who’s supposedly the love of her life, and wants to move in with her. This new girlfriend is allergic to dogs, so I’m trying to figure out what I’m going to do with Little Mama while I’m gone.”
Hamilton paused as Little Mama sniffed a bush.
“I’m not sure what my new apartment’s rules are on dogs. Actually, I’ve never even seen the apartment. Or my new college.” I scowled as Little Mama did her business.
“You’re going to Greenwich?” Hamilton asked. I nodded and we kept walking. “I’m about fifteen minutes