Chapter 172 Escape
"I don't get why you have to leave," Liv whines, folding her arms over her chest. She looks like a pouty toddler. Always has. Maybe someday she'll finally grow up.
My smile falters for just a moment. "We talked about this, Liv. I just need to get out of this town for a little bit. I need a chance to grow and spread my wings, ya know?" I ask. 'Besides, you'll be so busy with school you won't even notice I'm gone!"
Liv pouts, but Braxton sends me a smirk. It's not a cute smirk. It's a cruel dirty smirk. I don't know what's creeping out of his brain, but I don't like it.
Braxton Davis is the definition of bad news. Not just the 'hot bad boy who rides motorcycle' type of way. No, there is something about him that is definitely off.
I hate that kid. I wish Liv would dump him. It would take so much stress off our family if she did. To be honest, I have no idea why the hell he's even here at this time in the morning. He's never liked me, so why is he here?
"Yeah, Liv. She needs to get away and pretend she's got her shit together," he taunts.
"Brax! That wasn't nice! And she's my sister! Of course she's got her shit together! She's the most together person I know!" she rants. "And I don't want her to go! I think she needs to stay right here where I can reach her when I need her!"
Well, at least I know she'll stand up for me against the bastard. Those two graduate high school next spring, and yet they still act like children. I've noticed their fights getting worse lately. Maybe that's a good thing?
I hope Rick can keep Josie's head on straight with them around. I'd hate to hear she ended up in jail for murdering the bastard (not that I could blame her). But with her hormones a mess, I'm not holding my breath. Good news, it won't be too much longer!
"Baby, you still got me," Brax snarls, looking down at my sister with that cruel smile on his face. "You don't need your fucking sisters anymore! You're almost 18!"
I want to punch the jackass in the face, but I hold it together. For some messed up reason, she's still with the guy. I don't want her hating me for messing up her 'motorcycle hottie.'
"You don't understand! She's been with me my whole life! Jos was always working, but Charlie... She was my person! She was the one who took care of me when Aunt Beth was being a bitch!" Liv sniffs.
I'm surprised! I mean, I was, but I'm just surprised she noticed it for what it was. I'm not blaming Josie for working! She had to. If not, Aunt Beth would've kicked us out, no doubt... Liv still doesn't realize that though. She's always been the spoiled little princess.
However, whenever Liv was having a bad day, I was the one she always came to. Not Ava, thank God! And definitely not Aunt Beth. That woman doesn't have a single unselfish bone in her body! Believe me, I've checked. She only kept us around so she could steal our inheritance from our parents.
I'm finally finished stuffing all my crap into my car and wrap my arms around Olivia's shoulders, giving her a tight hug, just as she breaks down crying. I don't stop her. I just let her tears soak my yellow tee shirt, until she finally hiccups and I pull back, just enough to look down at her.
"Hey," I whisper into her ear. "If you need me, just call me. I will always pick up for you. You will need to hold it together when Jos goes into labor! I'm counting on you to let me know, and while it will still take me two hours to get here, I will come! And if you ever feel you need a break, I'll take you back with me," I promise. Maybe then I can talk her into ditching the boyfriend and have her drooling over college guys... Sounds like a good plan to me!
She blinks her pretty blue eyes. "Really?" she squeaks.
"Yep. I'm sure Jos will be fine with having you visit me for a couple days every once in a while. I'll just come pick you up and you can hang out in my apartment," I give her my best smile.
"Thanks Charlie," she mumbles giving me her best smile. She may be the baby, but she is still my sister, and no matter what a pain in the ass she is, I still love her.
Finally, I've finished all my hugs and goodbyes. Even Grant and his team came to see me off. They all wished me good luck in school and told me to study hard. Jeff packed me a huge sub for lunch! I wonder if he's planning on me having leftovers for dinner tonight... Well, it was very thoughtful. I haven't even thought about food yet.
I look in my rearview one more time before I pull out of the drive. Hoping I can finally escape this town. Escape my nightmares. Escape him.