nod in agreement.
The girls next to us start talking again about August. I stay quiet but listen intently.
“He’s the talk of the town,” Rhianna says. “They’re either scared of him or want him.”
“I saw him,” I tell her.
“Where?”
“At the supermarket. He was trying to buy food, but they wouldn’t serve him.” Her eyes go wide. “I bought it for him, but he wasn’t impressed.”
“You bought food for him?”
“Yes, I’m not a bitch, Rhi,” I reply, shaking my head.
She holds up her hands. “Never said you were, but I am surprised. Noah said he’s done a lot in that old house, but the neighbors aren’t happy he’s living there. They call the cops on him a lot.”
That makes me sad.
“Do you think anyone will accept him?”
“Well, you seem to have.” Rhianna smirks, lifting her coffee to her lips to try to hide it, but I can see it in her eyes.
“I was just being a decent human,” I say defensively.
“He’s hot, much hotter than before…” she says, trailing off.
But I know what she wanted to say… than before he went to prison.
“That doesn’t mean he’s a good person, Rhi. Now, that’s enough.”
She shrugs but keeps a smirk firmly on her face.
And I wonder, why am I so drawn to August?
Chapter 6
August
A week goes by fast, followed by another. It’s lonely. I haven’t left the house.
Noah dropped in last week with some essentials, and since then, I haven’t left. But I need to because I’m out of food again, and my money stash is becoming smaller with each passing day.
I’ve never held a real job. Before I went away, I did what was necessary to earn money. It paid, and I never thought beyond that. I probably should have.
There’s a small knock on my door, and when I pull it open, I beam. It’s the first genuine smile I have had in weeks. Paige is standing on the other side with a bag full of pastries in her hand, and I can smell the delicious treats, which makes my mouth water. All the letters she sent me when I was in prison told me how much she loves to cook, sweets being her favorite. I promised to try them one day in my return letters.
Today must be the day.
“August.” She says my name with excitement.
I pull the door open further and she comes inside, her eyes darting around the room before they come back to me. “It’s beautiful.” She pushes the bag into my hand and goes to the table, running her hand along it. “I made them this morning for you. I hope you like tarts. I’ve made a few different kinds since I wasn’t sure which flavor you liked.”
“I do like them. Does your father know you’re here?”
She scrunches her nose up and turns her head away, then proceeds to check around the house. I reach for the cell phone Noah gave me, which I haven’t used, and send her father a text message letting him know she’s here.
“I want you to meet someone…” She pauses. “Beckham. He wants to meet you, too. If you’re willing.” I can see the hope in her eyes at the mention of his name.
“This your boyfriend?”
“Yes. I love him. He’s good to me. Really good.” Her smile is so large, her eyes twinkle with the emotion she’s feeling.
Who am I to knock that down?
“You’re only sixteen, Paige. Don’t tie yourself to one person.”
“Our mother was sixteen when she had you.”
“And look how well that turned out,” I say sarcastically.
“I think you turned out great, August.” It’s the first time someone has said that to me as if I’m not a major disappointment.
I walk over and pat her head before I step into the kitchen and open the bag. The smell hits me straight away, and my mouth starts salivating at the thought of eating the delicious treats right there in front of me. I glance at Paige. “I can have them all?” I ask, hopeful.
Paige giggles. “Of course. I made them for you.”
I put one in my mouth and instantly regret not eating enough over the last few days because I know this packet of goodness will be gone before she leaves.
“I can make you more. I bake savory things as well. Beckham prefers them.”
“If you cook it, I’ll eat it.” I wink while stuffing a blueberry tart in my mouth next. She ambles to the living room, which is in front of the open kitchen, and sits, reaching for the remote. She flicks