Wingless, book 1 of Wingless Series

Hello

I haven't seen Ace since our walk to the park. He doesn't have a reason to come back. I'm okay, he did the right thing and I'm not his problem anymore.

But that doesn't stop me from thinking about him. The irrational rebel in me is drawn to him.

Gray never told. Like usual he's all talk. He enjoys torturing me. He did however lecture me about hanging out with Ace or any other man in the universe.

I don'tneed his guidance or his phony protection. I'm good at reading people.

It's morning—yet again. Gray is inhaling his breakfast, Dad is reading his paper.

"So, what are your plans for the day, Eve?" Dad asks, peering over his paper. My mother waits to hear my response as well.

"I have no idea, maybe a nap," I say dryly.

"I found a young man to do some work around here. Mark told me about him," he says, taking a sip of his coffee.

"What poor soul agreed to slave labor?" I ask. Dad always makes sure to get every penny out of anyone he hires.

"I heard he's good with his hands. And we have some eaves and roofing that needs finished. Some things Gray has yet to do," Dad says.

Gray looks up swallowing hard. "It's not that I don't want to. It would just be easier for you to get someone a little more..."

"Competent?" I ask, smiling at the invite to insult him.

Gray crosses his arms after shoving a piece of toast in his mouth.

"No, no, it's fine Gray. This kid seemed rather willing to get it done; maybe he needs the money."

"How do you know?" I ask. He is so quick to assume, it always irritates me.

"It is just a guess, sweetheart." He goes back to his paper.

"Why do you care? Worried it's that guy you had over the other day?" Gray smirks, sitting back pleased.

My parents stop what they are doing.

"You're an idiot. I asked a question. Why do you think it's necessary to air my business with the whole world?"

"You share mine all the time. Paybacks are a mother," he says, tilting his head back.

"You think this is payback? What do you think they're going to do, ground me because a boy came on the porch and talked to me?" I gasp dramatically. "I've seen Devan leaving after two in the morning."

Gray slams his fork down, his face taking on a lovely shade of red.

"Glare all you want it's not going to do anything."

"Oh really?" he ask, a gleam in his eye. He looks at Mom and Dad.

I roll my eyes.

My parents are confused.

"I wonder if telling Mom that you go out in the woods to get drunk will."

I chuck my banana peel at his face. My mom clutches her chest.

"You watch porn," I say, I'm grasping for straws, anything to make the sting a little less. I didn't have much. I kick him under the table.

Gray laughs, and shakes his head. "Oh big deal, every grown man watches porn some time in their life." He collects his dishes and goes to the sink.

"Sit down," my dad yells.

Gray doesn't find it funny anymore. I stop smiling as soon as my dad's fist hit the table.