Bastards and Scapegoats (Twisted Legacy Duet #1) - CoraLee June Page 0,70

I was too lost in my kiss with Hamilton to make sense of their words. On and on it went. His tongue surged past my lips and lapped me up. I arched my back and grabbed his shirt. I trembled with every stroke of his talented mouth against mine. He tore away from me with a smile. “So. What.”

I let out a shaky exhale. “So what,” I echoed before pressing my forehead against his chest. “Let’s go home,” I whispered before pausing. “Oh my God. He’s my neighbor. Do you think Joseph coordinated that?”

“Want to go to my place?” Hamilton asked.

I reached up to kiss him on the jaw. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

19

I woke up to my phone ringing—again. The shrill sound reverberated off my skull and was a high-pitched annoyance that made my body tense up. Her calls were constant. Jared and my mother were desperate to get a hold of me. I didn’t have to look at the caller ID to know that it was my mother once again, trying to track me down and stop me from ruining her happy little family. Part of me wished she would get on a plane and have this conversation in person. I wanted her to look me in the eye and tell me that her sham of a marriage with Joseph was more important than my happiness.

I hated this limbo. I was stuck between avoiding her and wanting to confront her, and the longer I ignored her texts, the cruder and pushier they became. It was a side of her that I knew well but was seeing with fresh eyes. I always just assumed her ambitions and selfishness were a result of constantly fighting to survive. Now it felt…different. Darker. I loved my mother. I knew she loved me. But I also didn’t think she understood what healthy love looked like.

Mom: What are you doing?

Mom: Where are you?

Mom: Jared called me. You can’t seriously be angry at us for wanting to make sure you were safe. You had a stalker, Vera.

Mom: Jared is a nice guy! You’d do well to date a man like him. He comes from a good family. I met his mother at a banquet.

Mom: Why are you mad at me for this?

Mom: Jared said you aren’t home. Where are you staying, Vera? Joseph wants to talk to you.

Mom: Vera. Jack is calling now. We seriously need to talk about this. You can’t date Hamilton. I know you’re with him.

Mom: This is getting ridiculous.

Mom: Call me right now!

Mom: You’re so fucking selfish, Vera. I can’t believe that you’re willing to toss away our family just so you can get laid. I always knew you were a little slut.

I was scrolling through messages when Hamilton plucked my cell out of my hands with a huff. “No more reading texts for the day. Your mother is seriously going to piss me off. I’m starting to think that she and Joseph are perfect for one another. Toxic motherfuckers.” Hamilton groaned while tossing my phone on his nightstand before pulling me closer to him. He was spooning me in bed, wrapping his arms around my middle and breathing in my scent while nuzzling my neck. It was cozy. Comfortable. Intense.

We spent all Sunday at his place, fucking, talking, and eating his delicious cooking. He let me vent and spent most of the time reminding me that it didn’t matter what anyone thought. We weren’t hurting anyone, not really. We were just testing the stormy waters. I didn’t bring up my college tuition problems. It was too late now. I had a feeling that pretty soon my mother would inform me via text message that The Beauregards weren’t going to pay for my schooling anymore. She’d already threatened it. She made it very clear that if she was going down, she’d drag me with her. It wasn’t Hamilton’s fault or responsibility. I was the one who got myself in this mess. I knew the risks, and I still dove headfirst into this messy relationship with Hamilton.

“You have class today, right?”

“Yeah, I do.” Might as well attend whatever I could. There was no telling when they’d pull the plug on my education and the apartment I was staying in. I needed to find a job. I needed to find a place to stay.

“What are you thinking about?”

I swallowed. “Nothing,” I quickly replied. “Just thinking about all the homework I’ve been avoiding.” I didn’t want Hamilton to feel responsible for my mother’s fucked up ultimatum,