Bound to You by Vanessa Holland Read Free Book Online

horrible. I’ll do whatever it takes. I don’t care.”
    “ Well,” Jenna said, “I’ve been thinking. There’s another option. The best option for you. And what I think you should do.”
    Bri leaned on the bed with one knee. “What’s that?”
    “ Save yourself. Ethan and I are weighing you down. Without us, you could go out there and make your own way. You were accepted at other schools, not just Vanderbilt. You were accepted at UT. With some financial aid, and some hard work, you could put yourself through college. I know Dad was focused on Vanderbilt for you. We all were. But UT is a great school. My alma mater. And mom’s. Stay here over the summer, get a job in the evenings and save every penny you make. I’ll give you half of whatever we make in the garage and estate sales. It’s rightfully yours, anyway. Go to Knoxville and make your own way.”
    Bri backed up, frowning. “But what about you and Ethan?”
    “ We’ll be fine. Don’t worry about us. You worry about yourself. Either do what I say or I’ll marry Scumbag Stewart and force you to go to Vanderbilt kicking and screaming.”
    That earned a slight, but brief, smile from her sister. “The house is half mine, too, right?”
    “ Yes, but honey, we’re not going to make anything off the house. I’ll probably still end up owing on it after it sells. Dad took out a second mortgage to cover his expenses.”
    “ That’s what I mean,” Bri said. “If it’s half mine, then it’s half my responsibility.”
    “ No, it’s not. Legally, the house is mine because you were only fourteen when Dad wrote the will. So, just let me worry about the house, and Ethan. Stop being so stubborn. You’re acting just like….”
    Bri glared at her. “I hate Dad for this,” she said in a low voice.
    “ Don’t say that. He did his best. We’ll all be okay.”
    “ Fine,” Bri said, stomping toward the door. “Fine. I don’t care anymore! Do whatever you want. I hate this ! And make Sam Strickland pay or I will!”
    Jenna lay back and tried to sleep, but was now more upset than before. She slid out of bed and crossed the hallway into the nursery to look at her son, desperate to stop the cascading emotions, and knowing just the sight of him would help.
    He was sound asleep on his stomach. A soft, sweet little body dressed in a diaper and dark green T-shirt, golden curls fluttering over his mouth with each exhale. Her arms felt so empty without him, the night seemed so long and ominous.
    She thought for only a moment then crawled into bed with him, careful not to wake him, and pulled him close.
    Strange how another heartbeat, no matter how small, could make life seem safe again. The rhythm of his breathing was an enormous comfort.
    Beyond the door, she heard Bri calling for her before leaning her head in the room. “Jenna!” she hissed. “He’s here.”
    Jenna propped herself up on her arm. “Who is?”
    “ He is! Him . Sam .”
    “ Sam?”
    “ Yes! He’s in the living room.”
    Brianna’s excitement had the opposite effect on Jenna. She carefully slid her arm from under Ethan and climbed out of bed. “Okay, don’t freak out, I’m coming. Don’t wake the baby.”
    “ Sorry,” her sister whispered, still bobbing in the doorway. “What should I do?”
    “ Nothing. What time is it?”
    “ Almost midnight.”
    “ What a time to drop by.” Jenna headed across the hall to her bedroom and hopped into the pair of jeans she’d left on the bench in front of her bed, frowning at her sister. “Why didn’t I hear him ring the bell?”
    Brianna laughed, habitually covering her mouth after years of wearing braces, even though her teeth were straight now. “He knocked. I peeked out and thought he was a psycho murderer.”
    Jenna aimed for her closet. “Then why didn’t you come get me instead of answering the door?”
    Brianna bobbed her head to the right. “I recognized him. I’m not blind. I told him he’d better pay child support.”
    Jenna