Read Online Tied - Part Three (The Tied Series) by Ellen Callahan - Free Book Online Page B

involved.”
     
    “I’m not alone. The father’s in the picture,” I said. “Lockett is in the picture. We’re together, Patrick.”
     
    “Have you told him?” I was silent. “Don’t forget, I’ve met him. I’ve known guys like him, hell, they’re in my own family - grunting cavemen who have no interest in their own children. I shouldn’t just assume he’ll be like that and it’s wrong of me to even say it but I’d hate to see you get your hopes up only to get rejected.”
     
    No , I screamed inside my head, Lockett is not like that. I’ve seen him with his family . “I have to give him a chance. I love him.” I’d never said it out loud, but it felt good to get it off my chest. “I’m in love with him.”
     
    Patrick cursed under his breath. “Then tell him soon. My offer still stands.”
     
    “I’m really sorry. That’s a really nice offer and I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that.” The train’s headlights appeared in the distance. “I’ve got to go.”
     
    “Don’t worry about it,” he said, “Get home safe. And call me this week, okay? Call me as soon as you tell him.”
     
    “I will.”

CHAPTER 9
     
    “I can’t believe the school year is almost over.”
     
    “Believe it.” Lisa brushed Amber’s hair in the bathroom mirror while I watched from the doorway. It was the day of her talent show and she was visibly bouncing with excitement. The kids in her class had a half day of school so they could rush home to prepare for their performances that evening. Amber had begged me to come over while she got ready so that we could practice, and of course I’d agreed.
     
    “I guess you won’t need me very much over the summer?” I asked tentatively. I’d been afraid to broach the subject but time was getting away from us.
     
    Lisa’s lips tightened in the mirror. “Afraid not,” she said, “Money’s been really tight. We’ll call you up for a little babysitting but sadly we can’t continue the twice-a-week thing.”
     
    Amber pouted. “But I like it when Katherine comes over.”
     
    “We’ll still see each other, sweetie,” I said, “You’re gonna visit your uncle over the summer, aren’t you?”
     
    “Yes,” she said, though she pouted.
     
    “With him off his feet, I don’t know if we’ll even be able to afford that weekend getaway we were hoping for, either,” Lisa said.
     
    “No?”
     
    “He was helping us out,” she said, “With a little fighting money, a little cash from his other gigs. Nothing major, but enough that we could cover a few extras.” She blinked in the mirror. “You didn’t know?”
     
    “No,” I said. “What kind of extras?”
     
    “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.” She shook her head.
     
    “Lisa…”
     
    “You,” she said, “He was helping us cover you. Plus a few other things for the kids. He was planning on helping us send them to a summer camp for a couple of weeks, but now…”
     
    “Now he can’t work,” I said, my mind in a whirlwind. He’d basically been paying me to tutor his niece and nephew. And I’d had no idea.
     
    “What about you? Did you find any gigs for the summer?”
     
    “Yeah, a camp,” I said, looking down at my hands. “They’re associated with the school, actually. One of the teachers recommended me. She said it would look good on my resume when they’re considering applicants for September.” I was rambling because my mind was wandering.
     
    Lisa finished brushing Amber’s hair and tied it up in a ribbon on top of her head. “How’s that?” she asked.
     
    “It’s okay,” she sighed, turning her head to check it out from all angles.
     
    “Never happy, these kids,” Lisa said, dropping the brush onto the counter. “Let’s hit the road.”
     
    We took the train to my place, first. I was finally beginning to think of it as part mine instead of simply the place where I lived. “Home” still felt like Connecticut, most of the time, but I