X: The Hard Knocks Complete Story by Michelle A. Valentine

Author:Michelle A. Valentine [Valentine, Michelle A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B01BUL3Z0E
Publisher: Michelle A. Valentine Books, LLC
Published: 2016-02-19T00:00:00+00:00

30

Anna

“Xavier!” Nettie yells his name as he shoves the front door open and disappears through it. She turns back to me, a frown etched into her face, as she carries food to my table. She sets a plate of pancakes in front of me. “I swear, that boy has a temper and a half on him. What’s he so pissed for?”

I sigh as I stare at the plate she puts in front of Xavier’s now empty seat. “Tension wants me to pretend to be Rex’s girlfriend to up the angst for Xavier’s return to the show. They think a love triangle will get the crowd behind their rivalry.”

Nettie leans her hip against the side of the booth. “I see where my boy would take issue with that. He’s used to things he loves being taken away from him.”

It breaks my heart that he would believe that for one second. “He should realize that I’m not going anywhere.”

She tilts her head as she stares down at me. “It’s hard to trust something good is going to stay in your life when you’ve been through what he has. He’s never had something worth losing, like what he has with you. Be patient with him. I know it’s hard, but if you love him, be there for him. He’s waiting for the bottom to fall out of your relationship, for you to leave him like his mama did.”

“It’s awful—what happened with his mother. The story he told me was the most heart-wrenching thing I’ve heard in my life. I can’t imagine waking up in your dead mother’s arms. What that must’ve done to him as a little boy—”

Nettie’s gray eyebrows shoot up. “He told you about that?”

I nod. “I don’t think he really wanted to. He had a nightmare, and it all just sort of came out.”

“Well, honey, if he’s opened up to you that much, you’re really bringing him out of the darkness where he has kept himself secluded. It took years before he let me in. He needs you. Don’t give up on him, especially now that he’s back in that house. Being there is going to test your relationship.” Nettie stares down at Xavier’s plate. “I’ll get this boxed up and have Carl give you a ride. He has a key to the house.”

After Nettie boxes everything up, Carl struts over to me and twirls his car keys around his index finger. “Ready, girl?”

I follow Carl through the diner and eventually out the back door to the parking lot where an old dark blue Cutlass is sitting under the streetlight. He walks over to it, and then he manually unlocks the passenger door and opens it. I haven’t been in a car that didn’t have automatic locks before.

I slip into the seat, and I am instantly surprised by how well kept the vehicle is. While it’s dated, it still appears to be brand-new.

I run my hand along the dashboard as Carl gets behind the wheel. “This car is in great shape.

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