sked Rider to take me to Frankie's house, I was too nervous to drive. I lef

ted him with it, but was thankful I wasn't comfortable going

ll the mansions and country clubs were found. My heart was pumping and I didn't speak

looming flowers. I'd never seen a patch of dead grass or dried-up

e up to the main house, through archers of neatly trimmed grass and object shaped hedges. They had about f

with you?' Rider asked me when he parked

' I lean in and kiss h

Cassidy's Subaru, a black Range Rover and white Mercedes Be

ed their food and the drinks were abandoned. The mood in the room was just depressing, Skylar was so young she had so much to look forward to. Skylar and I weren't clos

ch, she was trying to comfort her. Frankie's dad stood by the

Mrs Dean looked up at me, she and I had onl

ily. 'I'm so sorry for your los

There were massive bags under her sea blue eyes. Her hair was tied a

alo

relieved. Standing next to her was Andrea, Cassidy's

ook two big strides and wrapped her arms around me. She r

ledged her. She nodde

ou,' she tucked a strand

d. It was so annoying in high school I couldn't go anywhere but

ed about me, she had bags under her eyes too.

ry honey.' She said in a low tone. I didn't kno

large hand on her left shoulder. He was much taller than her. His sudden appea

a majestic shade of blue, a deep blue, they were beautiful. His face looked sculpted,

d tell by the way he stood with his legs apa

maybe? No, I didn't know i

no he couldn't be a family member. He sti

e...' he said. Our eyes l

m who is this guy?' I regretted my to

He accompanied me here.' She cleared her

enty-five years old, or less. The point is he is way too youn

s never left me, he didn't smile or o

' Mom said. I couldn't let her leave

or a bit before you leave?'

se.' She

left. What was he a bodyguard? That would not make

that he's just your friend. If you ask me, h

me even if it's just for a visit.' She said, that sounded nice.

be safe.' I said

ave me a long huge then let me go. I watched as she

*

far, I had no luck. Frankie wasn't in her room and Cass was nowhere

t like it. He wasn't her friend I came to that conclusion already, bodyguard, don't think so mom never g

boyfriend. Ewe that's gross!

ons.' I said to myself. I was outside the mansio

for anyone. I spotted Cassidy staring at the distance

spoke. She jumped, spillin

didn't want to explain to her about how drunk she was to listen to my and how fea

'Ah.' She took another

nkie I can't

her away and of course litt

ip. Cass didn't agree with it, but Frankie has been in it for

? You never told me you had a h

ousin? No, he's not. I h

uggested. I really wanted to dispatc

Cas

ince you left? Anyways I'm happy for her, he's a real catc

w life was great now that I was away from her clutches. It sounded awful. I was still feeling guilty

my dad abandoned the both of us. When