The Entitled (The Entitled Duet #1) - Cassandra Robbins Page 0,6
It’s his and only his. Shooting her my best disgusted look, I turn back to look out the window. It’s gray as usual, and dirty, also as usual. We have lived in Manhattan for almost seven years now and I still hate it. If I didn’t have Reed and Jax, I would seriously be depressed.
“Whatever, Mother. Take as long as you need,” I mumble.
She sighs, fidgeting with her wedding ring. “Exactly, I mean I need to heal properly. Since your father is never home, you will be happier with Caroline and Brad.”I turn to glance at her, and she looks small even though she is not a short woman. She’s so skinny, she looks petite.
My father has been gone for months. He left one morning, claiming he had an urgent case in London, which makes no sense because I’m pretty sure he can’t even practice law in England.
That was six months ago, and even though she hasn’t said it, obviously they are having problems. As much as either one of them talks to me, they could be divorced and I would never know.
I snicker at the thought. My mom would rather swallow poison than divorce my father. It’s one of her few joys, tossing around his name, spending his money. See, he is a famous lawyer, or at least as famous as you can get in the legal world. He has won so many high-profile cases that he’s become a bit of a celebrity.
Yeah, they’re not divorced. He simply can’t stand her, and she won’t ever give him up. Pathetic!
“Tess?” Her nasal voice makes me cringe. Reed constantly makes fun of my mom in general, but her voice… He loves to imitate her voice. Now any time she sounds nasal, I have to fight back the laughter. Today, I can’t help but crack a smile.
“You know you will almost be on summer break when I’m healed.” Biting my bottom lip, I try not to burst into laughter. So, I look out the window for a moment, then back at her.
“Yeah?” Giggling, I can’t help it.
She tries to raise an eyebrow, but with all her Botox, it looks like her eyes are big. “Am I amusing?”
I shake my head no, not trusting myself to speak.
Staring at me for a second before continuing, she says, “Anyway, I was thinking we should go to Paris. You know, buy a whole new wardrobe. Maybe go to London and visit your father.” Her eyes light up—it’s the first real spark of interest I have seen in them in a while.
I’d rather take a bullet to my head than go to Paris with my mom. All right, that might be a bit dramatic. But there is no way in hell I’m spending time away from Reed. Also, why would I want to surprise my dad? If he wanted to see us, he would come home.
“No, thanks. Reed and I have plans.” I smile, and her eyes narrow as much as her tight face allows.
“What does that mean, Tess?”
“It means I’m busy, Mom.” I smirk at her. “And for the record, do you honestly think you should get more work done? You can barely smile as it is.”
“What the hell does that mean?” She flings a hand in the air.
“Language, Mom,” I remind her.
“Knock it off. I’m the mother, not you.” Her face is turning red—a sure sign I’m getting to her. I snort in disgust at that comment.
“You know, Tess, I feel sorry for you.” She’s so fake, it makes my stomach hurt.
“What are you talking about?” I snip, not wanting to look at her when she gets ugly like this.
“I’m talking about your boyfriend.” She sneers. “He will leave you so fast. The first time you do something wrong, or you do something he does not approve of, he will drop you like you never existed.” She snaps her skinny fingers in my face. “So, prepare yourself.” Leaning back into the gray leather seat, she wears a disturbingly satisfied expression on her skinny face.
I’m taken aback. “Why would you say that to me? It’s so mean.” Shaking my head at her, I tell myself it doesn’t matter what she says, but it does. Deep down, I feel it.
Suddenly, I desperately need Reed.
This time, she snorts. “Please, Tess, you need to grow up. I don’t even recognize you anymore.” Her eyes sweep up and down me. “You have completely changed since you’ve been with him.” She crosses her arms over her fake boobs.