Read Twisted Lines (Blurred Lines Volume 6) for Free Online

the letter back. I refold it.
    “That boy.” Rita shakes her head and walks into the kitchen. She opens the pantry and takes an apron off a knob hanging on the door.  
    I follow her into the kitchen. “The police have been here. They want you to call them.” I set the business card on the counter. “They want to ask you some questions.”
    She pierces me with her stare, pulls the apron on and ties it around her waist. It’s light pink, ruffled, and covered in daisies. She looks sweet. “Well of course they do. But I have nothing to say. If they want to talk to me they’ll have to make an effort.” She opens the refrigerator and pulls out eggs. “Would you like an omelet, Cadence?”
    I shake my head and quickly reply. “No. I can’t eat. Someone is coming to pick me up. The police say I’m not allowed to stay here.”
    Rita clucks her tongue. “That’s ridiculous. Where will you go?” I’m curious if she’s glad I’m going, if she’s upset Zane left me so much.
    “I-I’m not sure.” My eyes start to water but I blink back the tears. No fucking way I’m crying in front of her.
    She gives me another of her looks and I can’t help but think she must be related to Zane. I have to ask. “Are you Zane’s mother?”
    I notice a tint of color stain her cheeks before she turns away. The stove clicks as she turns on a unit. “I might as well be. I raised the boy from the time he was born.” She cracks two eggs and whips them in a bowl before pouring them into the heated pan. “Would you mind getting the cheese?”
    I come around the island and open the refrigerator. There’s shredded cheddar on one of the shelves and I pull it out. “Here you go.”
    “Thanks, Cadence.” She sets it on the counter, then uses a spatula on the egg, pushing it to the middle so more can run toward the edges of the pan.
    “So you were his nanny?” I cross my arms and lean against the counter.
    Rita glances over. “Yes, I suppose. His mother was my sister.” She turns her attention back to the egg. “My sister didn't know how to take care of a child. She was too worried about John’s father, his needs, his wants to worry about a baby.” There’s sadness in her voice.
    “Oh,” is all I can say.
    “Don’t get me wrong. His mother loved him the only way she knew how: by giving him to me.”
    I understand uncaring mothers. “What did Zane’s dad do?”
    Rita sprinkles seasonings and cheese onto the egg, folds it in half, and slides it onto a plate. Then she sets it on the island. “Eat.”
    I sit on a stool and pull the omelet toward me. Rita hands me a fork. “Thank you.” I cut off a piece and stuff it into my mouth. It’s fucking hot, but delicious. She pours me a glass of orange juice. After I drink, I look at her, wondering if she remembers my question. She busies herself, cleaning up.
    I know Cruze will be here any minute. “Rita?” I say tentatively.
    “His father is still around.”
    I take another bite, waiting for more explanations. She doesn’t give me any. There’s a knock at the door. It’s Cruze, I’m sure. There’s a lurch in my throat at the idea of seeing him, of being with him without needing to worry about Zane, but I can’t make my ass move from the chair.
    Rita looks at me. “Isn’t that your ride?”
    I gulp. “Probably.”
    “Go, dear. This house, everything John said in the letter, it’ll be around when you're ready to deal with it.”
    “Okay.” I stand. “Rita?” I pause, and she touches my arm.
    “One thing I know. John is gone, but not forever.”

 
     
     
     
     

     
     
    I’m still reeling from her phone call. Cadence. After what we did during filming I figured we were over before we started. I was a prick, just walking away. Fuck, I wanted her. I still do. She makes me feel alive, real, like I’m not just some puppet in a show.
    Now I might have another chance. Cadence said Zane was gone. I’m not sure what that means exactly:  that she’s done with him