My shoulders slump in disappointment as I step into the kitchen. I was hoping to run into my sister who isn’t messaging me back, but instead, Nora’s icy glare meets mine. She’s dressed in a teal formal dress, and her hair is pulled into a tight bun. Neither of us speak or move. Her eyes flick down to my clothes and she frowns. She opens her mouth but closes it as Aiden walks in with Liv and Sophia.
“Mommy! Hayley and I made muffins yesterday. Do you want to try one?” Liv bounces over to Nora’s side.
“You’ll call her Anna, not Hayley,” Nora snaps and Liv’s face twists, her smile slipping away.
I take a deep breath, so I don’t yell. “Nora, Liv probably heard everyone else calling me—”
“Mom!” Nora snaps, nostrils flaring. “Or mother is how you’ll address me, young lady.”
I narrow my eyes. I won’t call her that, but I don’t need to voice it in front of Liv who looks like she’s about to cry. Does she not see she’s hurting her child? She wanted me here to please her family, so she has to have a heart somewhere in that stone chest of hers. Liv backs away from Nora to huddle next to Sophia.
“I heard about the muffins.” Nora practically growls the word. “Martin mentioned his supplies were missing. That could have been a disaster had guests been coming over.”
“Mom, we don’t have guests over anymore, not to this house anyway,” Aiden says. “And Hay—they didn’t know to ask Martin first.”
Nora’s face softens the tiniest bit, but then she looks at me and her scowl returns. I think back to the picture of Nora in the hospital bed. Light radiated off her in that picture. This woman in front of me is rigid and cold. Her face is tight, and her lips are pulled into a thin line.
Nora Westling is beautiful in the beautiful villain type of way, like Maleficent or Black Widow. I haven’t run into many people that scare me. Nora’s unpredictability combined with her power and never-ending supply of money scares me.
“Anna, Claire’s in the main room setting up her things to do your hair. I’ve told her you’re a family friend.”
“Got it,” I say, crossing my arms.
With her chin held high, she clicks her way out of the room on her heels, and Aiden begins listing breakfast choices for Liv instead of addressing the elephant in the room—Nora doesn’t like me.
***
Two hours later, my hair has been trimmed, layered, and glossed. It has never been so straight or shiny. My eyebrows have a higher arch, my nails are polished, and my face has been painted and contoured. I feel different—fake. I don’t like it, and I hope Nora doesn’t expect me to keep this up. I like my hair when it’s wild and wavy. It’s easier to throw up into a messy bun that way. My eyebrows make me look alert, almost like I’m surprised, and I don’t know how Claire did it, but my nose looks smaller. Not that it was too big to start with. This isn’t me. I didn’t sign up to change myself.
Nora’s standing in front of me, a scowl on her face as her gaze runs over me. “The makeup is fine, but why didn’t Claire apply your nails?”
Nora’s gaze snaps to the petite blonde woman who changed my look. Claire looks like she’s going to throw up.
I rub my thumb over my smooth nails. “I didn’t need them. I already have nails, and she buffed them.” I hold up my hand. “See, good as new.”
Nora’s frown deepens. “They were supposed to be longer and painted silver.”
I don’t tell Nora I think painting the tips of your fingers is weird. Nail polish wigs me out. “I think they look fine.”
She hands Claire a silky silver dress. “Put this in her room, and make sure she has shoes to match.” Claire hurries away, and Nora glares at me. “Go with Claire. If the dress doesn’t fit, let her know. I’ll figure out the nails later.”
I bite my cheek because I don’t wear dresses, and I have never worn or wanted to wear heels. “I understand your image of Anna isn’t me. I’m sure I’d be very different if I’d grown up here,” I say, trying to show empathy. “The way things turned out isn’t your fault, but I need you to understand that I have boundaries,” I say, being true to myself, something I will always be. “I don’t do dresses or heels, but I’m willing to wear the clothes in the closet.” I throw in a smile even though she looks pissed. Who the fuck wears fancy dresses around the house?
“Why are you being so difficult?” she hisses. “My Anna wouldn’t be like this. If you’re going to take her place, you will play the part.”
I narrow my eyes. “You’re the one who threatened me into coming here. I didn’t sign up for this shit, and I never said I was Anna. That was the test that I’d be more than happy to retake.”
Her eyes flash with rage. “You’ll watch that tone and language, young lady.”
She glares at me, and I silently begin listing off the things in the room so I don’t go off on her ass.
“A reporter will be here in two hours. I will not allow you to wear that” —she eyes my outfit— “on national television.”
I put my hand up. “Hold up. National television? Why do I need to be on television? Can’t someone snap a picture of me?”
“A picture? You can’t be serious. Anna Westling’s homecoming is going to be on every news station around the world. There’s a prepared speech and approved questions you’ll answer.”
Oh hell no. “That is not happening. I’ll take a picture. I’ll even put the dress on for the picture, but I am not going on television to repeat some speech or answer questions. I haven’t even called my family to tell them. I need to do that now, I guess. It would’ve been nice if I had been given a heads-up about this.”
Nora’s naturally pale face turns bright red and then tears spill from her eyes. “My sweet Anna wouldn’t speak to me like that! You’re here to punish me, you awful girl!” She flies from the room, leaving me with one thought.
This bitch is crazy.
Chapter 17
“I know. It’s unbelievable,” I repeat, agreeing with my aunt Kathy. I’ve given her a run-down of what’s transpired since the interview and asked her to spread the news to everyone except Dad.
Aunt Kathy is the one who keeps in touch with all the distant family members. Mom and Dad both have small families. Mom had her sister Kathy, Kathy’s kids, and her mom. Her mother, who I only knew from getting the occasional birthday or Christmas card, lives far away and is in poor health. Dad has his mom, recluse brother, and a couple of his cousins we’d see on the occasional Thanksgiving. Dad’s dad died a few years ago, leaving Nana a widow.
“I’ll call rehab and see what to do about your dad. I don’t think they have news and stuff there, so he probably won’t find out.”
I rub my forehead. “I hope not. Keep me posted. I’ll talk to you later, Aunt Kathy.”
“No problem. Call me if you need anything, Hayley. I mean it.”
“I will. Thanks.” I end the call as Colt and John walk into the sitting room I’m in. I waited here thinking Nora might come back and want to rationally talk things out.
Liv runs in grinning. “Daddy and Colt are going to the airport, and guess what, Hayley?” She bounces up and down.
“You got a new toothbrush,” I say with faux excitement.
Her little face scrunches up. “No.”
“Hm.” I tap my chin. “They’re going to ride a spaceship.”
Liv laughs. “No, silly. I get to go! Daddy said I can come to the set.” She bounces over to John and hugs his legs.
John chuckles, running a palm over the top of Liv’s head. “Why don’t you see if Sophia needs help packing. Colt, you mind helping Liv? I want to talk to Ann—Hayley for a second.”
“I got this,” Colt says, taking Liv’s hand. “Let’s make sure you get all your favorite stuffed animals ready to go.”
“Yes!” Liv shouts. She bounces her way out the door while listing off names of what I’m assuming are stuffed animals.
John sits down on the other side of the sofa. “We haven’t had much time to talk. How are
you doing?”
I twist to better see him. “I don’t know yet. I’ll get back to you on that.”
He chuckles. “Fair enough. I wanted to talk to you about school. Aiden and Casey are starting freshman year next week. I’m sure I can pull some strings to get you in if that’s something you’re interested in? I know they’d both love for you to be there.”
“Oh…” College has been my goal for a year but not in California. “I don’t think it’s the right time. What about my sister, though? She’s going into tenth grade. Is her coming to California and enrolling into school there going to be a problem?”
“No, of course not. She could do that, or we hired a tutor through an agency for Colt. That’s another option for her. She’s your sister. She will always be welcome.” He chuckles. “Plus, Colt has claimed her as his sister too. He thinks it’s awesome they are so close in age.”
Hearing that stirs up different emotions. I should be happy Tilly is fitting in with my… in with the people who might be my family. It could be easy for me too if I let it. It’s tempting to cave and accept this new life. I could see myself having a relationship with everyone but Nora. My dad, though. Just because he’s out of sight doesn’t mean we forgot him. Tilly knows that, right? He’ll want us home when he gets out.
“Hayley?” John asks, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“Uh, thank you. I’ll talk to her and see what she wants to do.”
“Let me know, and I’ll make arrangements. I better make sure everyone is ready to go. I’ll see you back in California in a few days.” He stands, and so do I. “I’d invite you along, but then Aiden would want to come, and Nora would…” He struggles to find the right word. “It’s better this way. You’ll have plenty of time to visit the set and spend time with Colt. Our home isn’t far from where Colt’s filming or from where Aiden’s going to be staying at school.”
I nod. I don’t have anything to say to that. I would rather be going back to Tennessee. Voicing that thought wouldn’t be productive. It would hurt John, and I don’t want to do that unnecessarily.
John heads for the stairs and I head outside to find Tilly. I don’t see why Nora wants me in California. She doesn’t like me, Aiden will be in school, and John and Colt will be filming. That’ll leave Liv and the nanny. Whatever. I’ll use the opportunity to find a job in Cali and save money for school and a car.
I’m closing the back door when Tilly, Rocco, and some guy their age, walk up the patio steps. The boys don’t notice me, but Tilly does.
“Whoa. You look amazing. I hope I’m next for the makeover.”
I wave my hand in front of my face almost forgetting about the makeup. “Don’t get used to this. I’m never doing it again.”
The back door opens and John walks out with Liv in his arms. Sophia is a few steps behind, carrying two small pink suitcases and Colt has his arms full of stuffed animals.
“John?” Nora’s high-pitched voice comes from inside the house and then she’s storming onto the patio. “There you are.” Her gaze darts to the bags in Sophia’s hands and then back to John. “You’re leaving now?” Her eyes turn hard. “I spoke with my family. They’ll be here Saturday. You have to be here.”
John’s brows shoot into his hairline. “That’s in two days. I thought they were coming to California next week?”
“They didn’t want to wait. They insisted, and you know how they are.” She straightens the collar on his gray polo. “I need you here.”
He adjusts Liv in his arms. “I’m sorry, Nora, but I can’t. You’ll be okay.”
Nora smiles stiffly, her eyes darting to everyone and then back to John. “I need to speak with you inside.” Her voice is a sharp hiss.
Setting Liv down next to Sophia, he sighs but doesn’t protest as he follows behind his psychotic wife. I want to slap Nora. Liv was smiling wide when John walked out the door with her and now her face is blank. Nora didn’t even acknowledge her.
“Come on, Liv. Let’s go to the car and wait for Daddy,” Sophia says, ushering her in the direction of the attached garage at the side of the house.
At least I think that way leads to the side of the house where the wrap-around driveway meets the garage. This house is ginormous. I need a map.
“I’m out,” Colt says, meeting my eyes. “I’d suggest you do the same. Mom is going to be batshit crazy for the next couple days.”
“Why?” Tilly and I ask at the same time.
“Nora’s family hates her,” Rocco says from the patio chair he’s lounging in. “Everyone knows that.”
“No, they hate Dad,” Colt says. “That’s why they’re mad at Mom. They didn’t want her to marry him.” He brushes a lock of hair from his eye and grins. “Oh, they are going to flip over the piercings. Maybe I should see about staying longer.” A loud bang comes from inside, and Colt’s smile disappears. “Scratch that. Good luck. Might want to find the best hiding places in the house or spend a lot of time outside.”
“Don’t scare her. Nora’s family isn’t that bad,” Rocco hollers at Colt’s back as Colt speeds away. “I spent a few summers with Aiden and Nick at your cousin’s house. Your family isn’t that bad, and I’m sure they’ll be nice to you. You’re the long-lost princess.”
Tilly lifts a strand of my hair. “You look like a princess now, minus the piercings.”
I brush her hand away. I don’t even know what to think. I’ve never been the type to try and impress people. Maybe something good can come out of this. They’ll see I’m not princess material and tell Nora to kick me out before the press is alerted to my presence. I could always act as unprincess-like as possible—speed the process along.
“Why are you smiling?” Tilly asks. “What are you thinking?”
I tug my sister to my side. “That I love you so much.” I kiss the top of her head as she’s breaking free from me.
She laughs. “Liar.” She pushes her damp hair from her face. “What’s Nora’s family going to think about me?”
I lift her chin and wink. “Naturally, they’ll love you just like everyone else you meet does. Your Tilly charm will pull them in, and they’ll think you have to be Anna instead of me.”
Tilly giggles and I grin. “In your dreams, Hayley.”
“So, she’s Anna?”
We all turn our attention to the kid sitting next to Rocco, realizing we fucked up. His hazel eyes are wide and his mouth partly open.
“Shit,” Rocco hisses. “Dude, Logan, you can’t say anything.”
Logan runs a hand over his short brown hair and mumbles, “Yeah, I won’t.”
“Colt?” John says, hurrying out the door looking frantic.
If the woman’s husband can’t stand to be around her, what does that say? From what I hear, John’s never home, and from what I’m seeing, it’s probably true.
“At the car,” Rocco tells him, and John doesn’t waste any time sprinting down the patio steps, throwing a goodbye over his shoulder.
Nora rushes onto the patio a second later shouting “coward” in the direction John went. Her gaze slices to me, pure hatred burning in her eyes. “You. Will. Wear. That. Dress.” She spins around and marches inside, screaming for Sara to meet her in the formal room.
“What the fuck?” I mumble. Everyone’s family has a little crazy, but the rich and famous might take the cake, or maybe it’s just this family
Chapter 18
“Nora is totally wigging out,” Rocco says, moving through the door Nora left open after she stormed through it.
“She seems to do that a lot,” I mumble as I follow behind him.
Tilly turns around and shakes her head, her way of scolding me.
Two maids are gathering colorful bowls filled with food and setting them onto a metal rolling cart. The smell of taco seasoning fills the room making my stomach growl.
One of the maids rolls the cart out the patio door while the other tells us the patio table will be ready shortly. I may be minimalistic, but having a personal c
hef cook your meals would be amazing. Mom was the cook, and once she died, we went from home-cooked meals to soggy, frozen dinners. Working full time, doing everyone’s laundry, keeping the house clean, and trying to keep Dad from drinking himself to death didn’t leave me time to cook.
Nick walks in and my stomach switches from growling from hunger to fluttering with excitement. My mind flashes to the first night when he had me pinned against Danny’s door. A part of me wants to fuck with him to see if he’ll do it again. That’s the fucked-up side of me, the side my shrink wanted me to work on before pursuing another relationship.
But I never said anything about a relationship. Nick could help relieve my tension and stress in the best way. Everyone talks about teenage boys and their hormones, but they don’t talk about how teenage girls have them too. We get just as horny and think about sex just as much as guys.
Nick pulls a bottle of water from the fridge and pauses with it at his mouth. His eyes are wide with surprise as he stares at me. Setting the bottle down without taking a drink, he licks his bottom lip and then smiles. His attention causes my stomach to squirm. How he makes simple tan shorts and a gray cotton shirt look sexy as hell, I don’t know. Maybe it’s the way he fills them out or the dominant aura he omits.
He steps next to me, and then whispers, “I see Nora got a hold of you.”
“Unfortunately,” I say, trying to sound in control of my lusty emotions.
He flicks a strand of my hair. “Leave it to Nora to try changing something that was already beautiful,” he says so only I hear. Looking past me to Rocco, he takes a sip of water and then leans back against the kitchen island. “What the hell has gotten into Nora? She was screaming at one of the maids.”
I feel my cheeks turning red from his comment, and I’m glad he’s not focused on me to see.
“The royals are coming in two days,” Rocco says. “Nora’s flipping out.” He gestures to the friend at his side. “There’s a party at Logan’s. We were talking about heading over soon to avoid the house.”
Everywhen: (Savage Princess book 1) Page 12
