90 Days (Prairie Town Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

slid onto the couch and wrapped an arm around her, stroking her hair in a comforting manner.  “I love you.  I just want you to be okay and you really don’t seem like you are right now.  And,”—she sucked in a quick breath—“Kelly told me about what happened at the store.  Has Devin been bothering you?”
         Her skin crawled at the mere mention of his name.  He was like a plague there would never be a cure for.  He was starting a fire in her head and she didn’t know how to put it out.
         That. Bastard.
         “He’s just stupid.”
         “Well, tell me something I don’t know.” Lydia laughed dryly.  “I’m not worried about him—I’m worried about you .  Is there really nothing I can do to help?”
         Turning her head to gaze at her, Laney’s expression softened.  “It would really help if you’d stop hounding me about it.  I’m fine , Lydia.  It’s not anything I haven’t dealt with before.”
         “What’s that supposed to mean?” Lydia’s perfectly shaped eyebrows furrowed.  “What do you have to deal with?”
         “Oh my god.” Laney groaned, pressing a cold palm to her forehead.  “Lydia, it’s…never mind.  Seriously, I’m okay.  I’m a big girl.”
         “Yes, I understand that.  But if you don’t tell me then I’ll just ask Jeb.” She stated in a sing-song voice.
         Oh, damn it.  She had her.  They both knew Jeb would blab about it without restraint.
         “Okay.  Fine.”
         Lydia seemed pleased with herself as she straightened her posture and rested her hands upon her lap, smiling gently.  “I’m all ears.”
         “I really don’t even know where to start,” she admitted. “I mean, it’s not something I’m proud of; it’s not something you just bring up in every day conversation, Lydia.”
         Lydia peered at her with sadness and worry in her eyes.  “Is it really that bad, Laney?”
         “To me it is.” She swallowed hard and dropped her gaze to the floor.  Somehow, the little stars on her socks suddenly became the most fascinating things in the world.  “I’ve put Mom and Dad through hell, Lydia.  Worse than you can ever imagine.”
         “What do you mean?” Lydia scooted closer. 
         “I mean that while you were gone… a lot of stuff happened here.  Stuff I’m not proud of.”
         “Well, we all do stuff in life we aren’t proud of, Laney.  It’s called making mistakes.  I’m sure it couldn’t have been that bad.  You’re still alive.”
         She laughed weakly and shook her head, finally meeting her sister’s gaze.  “Yeah, but back then I really didn’t want to be.  Alive, I mean.”
         “Laney.” Lydia whispered in disbelief.  “W-what?”
         “See? I told you.” Getting up from the couch, she paced back and forth nervously.  This was never a conversation she intended to have with her sister.  Lydia had been so fortunate not to witness the meltdown, and she was especially grateful her sister hadn’t been around for the suicide attempt. 
         If only I could take it back…
         “It all started when I was thirteen.  You were gone with Gran and Mama had been putting a lot of pressure on me to be my best—my absolute best: my hair, my clothes, my teeth, and even my makeup.  You remember me, Lydia,”—she frowned—“I was training to be some sort of freak debutante.  And after you left with Gran, Mama became even more determined to turn me into the perfect little lady.  I hated it.”
         “I suppose she was angry with me leaving.” Lydia frowned.  “And she needed to hang on to her real daughter.”
         “But I knew I wasn’t her only daughter.  We all knew it—even she knew it.  But damn if she didn’t ride my back over it all.  I thought Jeb would get the brunt end of her wrath.  I figured she’d be fawning over him since he was the only