Bastards and Scapegoats (Twisted Legacy Duet #1) - CoraLee June Page 0,21

were dependent on whether or not I could get a full scholarship. I’ve got a teen mom who loves me but also kind of resents me.” Jess’s smile faded a bit, and I continued. “Despite this, I had a really good life. I’m out of my depth here. I feel like everyone is judging my mother and me, which we’re both used to. I’m not looking for anyone’s approval, least of all some bitch I just met.”

“I was kind of shitty, wasn’t I?” Jess asked.

“A little? But it doesn’t really matter. Jack’s about to be here, and I have to move into a new apartment I’ve never seen, learn about a school I don’t want to go to, and deal with the trauma of a home invasion that happened yesterday. But hey. Thanks for giving me a stamp of approval that I never asked for.”

Jess rolled her eyes, like my speech was an inconvenience. “Are you done? Give me your phone,” she said while holding out her palm.

“Why?”

“Because I’m going to give you my number and we’re going to be friends. I might be a little eccentric and a hell of a lot overprotective of Hamilton, but it’s with good reason. You know, in the four years we’ve lived together, he’s never once brought someone home? He always fucks at hotels. He has some guy friends, but even they don’t come here.”

Holy whiplash, Batman.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and tossed it to her, not caring if she saw the text from Jack. She typed a bit and then called herself so that she could have my number too.

“Jack’s here,” she said while handing me back my phone. “Do me a favor and tell him to get fucked for me.” She licked her middle finger and grinned playfully.

“I like Jack,” I answered.

“Sure you do. Everyone hates him eventually,” Jess replied ominously. “I’ll call you later. We’re going to hang out. I can see why Hamilton is nice to you.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t call me? Yeah?” I asked while throwing my duffel bag over my shoulder.

“Too late. I like you now. I’m going to wear you down,” Jess said before grabbing the TV remote and turning on the news. I made my way to the front door, with Little Mama hot on my heels.

I paused before opening the door so I could scratch behind her ears. “See you soon,” I promised the perfect pooch. She wagged her entire lower body in excitement.

“Morning! Do you want a tour of the campus?” was the first thing Jack asked when I settled in the cool leather passenger seat of his Aston Martin. When did Hamilton bring it back to the house? Jack’s tone was giddy as he gripped the steering wheel. Something about his demeanor made me think he was avoiding what had happened yesterday with Saint and our phone call about Hamilton.

“That would be great, Jack,” I replied.

“Perfect!”

I was still shaken from all the things that had happened yesterday and today. Saint showing up. Hamilton coming to the rescue. Jess interrogating me. It felt like an earthquake tearing apart my own existence. Shaky ground didn’t make for a good foundation, and it felt like my entire world was cracked right down the middle. I had nothing really to hold on to.

Four boxes. Four measly boxes lined the back of Jack Beauregard’s Aston Martin. My life summed up in flimsy cardboard stuffed with mementos from a life that now felt foreign to me. Thankfully, Jack had grabbed my belongings from the house and brought them here. I was glad I didn’t have to go back to his estate so soon. Even though I was anxious about this new phase of my life, I was glad I didn’t have to stay there any longer. Saint really freaked me out, and the more I could distance myself from that, the better. I just wanted to feel normal for a bit.

According to Jack, interior designers had already taken over and moved in brand new top-of-the-line furniture. Expertly tailored outfits for every occasion were also delivered two days ago. It felt like too much, but he assured me that he was happy to do it. “We have a lot of events coming up with my reelection. I want you to feel comfortable and have nice things to wear to them.”

Was what I already owned not enough?

I tossed him a polite smile while adjusting the freezing cold air vents off of me. It was only fifteen minutes away