Olive's P.O.V.My dad's name continued to flash across my screen as he called. I was surprised to see him call me so late. It wasn't really like him to be up this late. The timing caused me to worry, making my mind race with worst case scenarios. I swiped the green receive button as I entered the building."Hello?" I answered."Livy, are you okay?" His voice sounded so concerned."What? Yeah, I'm fine." I furrowed my brow in confusion as I pushed the elevator button. "What is it? What's wrong?""It's your mother." I froze stiff at the mention of her name.I understood why she had left dad, but I never understood why she had left me too. She never called, sent letters, or even tried to visit me. She abandoned me like bad luggage, which I guess to her I was. The mention of her made my chest tighten."What about her?" I bit my cheek nervously, as the anticipation built inside me for his answer."She's sick, Livy… cancer." He sighed. "She called me, wanting to speak with you. She's in a h
Olive's P.O.V. The man that makes you scream: What is my Rose up to today?I have yet to reply to his text. I had been staring at it for hours, deciding on whether I should respond. I had ignored it earlier because I wanted to focus on mom. Now that I am back at Hailey's penthouse, we are weighing my options. "He could very well like you. I mean, look, he's texting you the very next day." Hailey argued. She was obviously team get-together-with-Lucas. "I don't know, Hails. I feel like I should just avoid him right now. Between school and my mom, now isn't the time for a boyfriend." I sighed. "Fine, no boyfriend, but you can still sleep with him. Didn't you say he was the best sex you'd had?" She tapped her elbow on me playfully. "Yes, but I'm worried I'll get too attached. I keep hoping there will be more, but it really shouldn't be. It's just complicated with him, and I don't need that." I shook my head. "Well, uncomplicate it. Do what you did the first night, make it only about
Lucas' P.O.V.Lucas: It is like all you want me for is sex. 3:)It slightly hurt me by how quickly she had turned my invitation down for dinner. If Janessa hadn't interrupted yesterday, we could have spent all night together. I longed to have her near me when I woke up again. Noting Rose's unease with Janessa, I backed off. I didn't think chasing after her would be the right move, because I doubt she would have believed a word I said. Rose: You catch on quick. Now I feel like I made the wrong choice. I feel her pulling away from me. I'll have to work my way back, but the only way to do it is to do her. So I'll give her what she wants, and then I'll give her more. Lucas: My apartment, 8 o'clock. Wear something easy to slip out of. Rose: See you then. I texted Janessa last night and broke off this long-standing friends with benefits. It slipped my mind that she was stopping by last night, and it messed up everything. I won't let something like that happen again. Besides, Janessa ma
Olive's P.O.V.I over-thought my outfit about a million and one times. Not wanting to dress up just for a hookup, but also not wanting to look like a slob. Deciding on something to wear felt like an impossible task until Hailey entered the room. She gave me a sweet, sleeveless, dark blue sundress that was both cute and casual. It was just right.There seemed no need for me to do my makeup, since all we would do was have sex. I kicked myself in the ass when I realized I had showed up early. The traffic was lighter than I thought it would be, causing me to be early. Lucas opened the door, shirtless, with damp hair, clearly having just showered. He looked hot as hell as usual.I caged my bottom lip between my teeth, admiring his chiseled abs and tattoos. The heavens must have sent this man down because of how damn handsome he was. That sexy smirk of his was ever present as he reached for my hand, pulling me into the apartment. The moment the door closed behind me, he pinned me against th
Olive's P.O.V.My eyes felt heavy as I began to stir. My hands rubbed against the silky material of the softest sheets I'd ever felt. This was not my bed, that much I knew for sure, but I could not remember where I was before I went to bed. The smell of his cologne wafted into my mind as a strong reminder of where I was and what had taken place. I was in Lucas' bed alone. I found my phone on the nightstand, checking the time to see it was 1 o'clock in the morning already. I grabbed the sides of my head as I sat up, feeling it pound. I had a terrible headache, and my arms felt so sore. Lucas quickly appeared at my side."I'm so sorry Rose, I went too far." He bit his lip anxiously, looking me over. "Here, take this, and drink the whole glass."He handed me some painkillers with a tall glass of water. I took it, chugging the refreshingly cool liquid after."What happened?" I asked him hoarsely."Your blood pressure plummeted after the high I brought you. I am sorry, Rose, I got carried
Olive's P.O.V. Dad had called, but I ignored it. I didn't want to talk to him right now, especially not by mom. It's his fault I missed all these years with her. It's his fault that she had to run away. How could he ever hurt her like that? I watched mom sleep, wondering how she endured him for 10 years. She was strong in her own way.I decided to use this time to call my doctor and get myself checked. She placed an order with the hospital I was at, to take my blood and have it tested. I would have the results in two weeks, and we'd talk about options once she had them. She then scheduled me for a breast screening at the end of the month. I checked in on mom again, seeing she was still asleep."Sorry to bother you, Nancy." I spoke to the nurse at the round desk. "Can you please let my mother know that I went to get my blood drawn if she wakes up wondering where I went?""Of course, darling. No problem." She answered in her sweet southern accent. I'd only ever heard it in movies, havi
Olive's P.O.V."A month later, mom left us. She didn't take me with her and she never contacted me again, until last week. Dad raised me from the age of 10 until the second I turned 18. He taught me to fight and he taught me how to be safe, but the man never showed any affection. Not a single hug or a simple I love you. He was cold and for the first few years he was determined to find my mother. I had to take care of myself since he had turned into an alcoholic. Eventually, he realized he wouldn't find her and gave up. Which only dove him deeper into the alcohol." Leo and Lucas were so quiet, they were listening attentively. Leo looked at me with deep concern while Lucas had his hands fisted beside him, looking mad as hell. "My 8th grade year a teacher noticed my giftedness and had me apply for a scholarship to a private high school that had a high rate for getting kids into Ivy League colleges. Dad started to sober up around then, realizing he was failing as a father. He had to dri
Lucas' P.O.V. I couldn't get my thoughts straight ever since Rose told us her story. I was glad that I tagged along. It never crossed my mind that she had such a sorrowful story to tell. She's so resilient. I think I understand why she's like that now. I wanted to be angry at her mother for abandoning her, but how could I be? Her mom is a victim too, and now she's dying. The only person to be pissed at is her father, and I plan to find out who he is exactly. I'll rain hell down on his life for what he's done. Rose stood before us. She held her head high, but her eyes were on the ground. She was thinking. About what? I'm not sure. Leo was the first to speak. He had been through hell these past couple of days and being with Rose was the first time I had seen him relaxed. "Thank you for tonight, Liv. Know that I'm here for you, whatever you need. We half orphans gotta stick together." I know he was trying to be funny, but it was poor timing. Her mom wasn't dead yet, and bringing it