Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love by Ariana Hawkes Read Free Book Online Page B

job.
    “Screw you, Marlene. You’re a nasty, bitter, mean-minded woman. I’ve worked hard for you here, doing long hours, and never complaining. You don’t deserve me. I’m going to quit right now, before I become as mean as you, and everyone else in this ass-end of a town. I’m done! You can mail my final check to my home address.” With that, she ripped off her apron, threw it to the ground and stomped out of the salon for the last time, leaving a roomful of open mouths behind her.
    She walked fast until she’d turned the corner and the salon was out of sight. Then she slowed her pace and put her shoulders back. For the first time in a long time, she felt proud of herself. And, what was weirder, her nausea had disappeared. In fact, she felt great. She passed a tree on the sidewalk, where a flock of birds were jumping from branch to branch, chirping. A whisper of breeze lifted her hair, and the scent of summer days filled her nostrils. This is what life is about.
    Raven sung and whistled most of the way home. When she arrived at her front door, she was soaked in perspiration, having walked right in the heat of the day, but she didn’t care. She’d had an epiphany.
    “Raven! What are you doing home?” her mom squawked from a sofa in the living room as she entered the hallway. “Have you lost your job again?” Raven came into the room and perched on the sofa arm.
    “Mom, I quit.” She held up her hand to prevent her mother from saying anything. “I’ve come to a decision. I’m leaving Russellville and moving to Hope Valley.” Her mom heaved herself up in her seat and put her glasses on so she could see her more clearly.
    “Raven, have you lost your mind? Your home is here.” Raven laughed bitterly.
    “Mom, open your eyes! This town is a piece of shit. There’s not one decent store or restaurant here. It’s not a place to have a life.”
    “There you go, being all uppity, like the life we’ve given you isn’t good enough. And what do you think this ‘Hope Valley’ is going to give you?”
    “I visited it during Amber’s bachelorette weekend, and it’s a lovely place. People seem happy there, mom.” Her mom made a ‘pffft’ noise. Raven looked at her sadly. Her mom’s world consisted of being at home, watching daytime TV, bickering with her husband and having dinner at Arby’s for birthdays and anniversaries. 
    “And what are you going to live on? I know you spent all your money at that party. Wasting it on who knows what.” Raven sighed. She hadn’t got as far as thinking about the money part yet.
    “I’ll sell the car, and a few other things. And I’ll find a job when I get there.” Her mom snorted.
    “Just like all the other jobs you’ve had here in Russellville.”
    “Mom, this is a really small town, and there aren’t many jobs. And maybe instead of finding a job, I’ll find a career – something I feel passionate about.”
    “This reminds me a lot of that time you had fancy notions of going to art school.” Raven pressed her lips together, trying to prevent the anger that was welling up inside her from bursting out. She couldn’t even allow herself to think about that time when she was about to graduate from high school, and her mom had talked her out of going to college.
    “I’m sorry I won’t be around to contribute to the rent any more, mom. But I’ve got to lead my own life,” she said instead.
    Her mom sighed and picked up the magazine she’d been reading.
    “Do what you want, Raven. But when it all falls apart, don’t come back crying to me.”
    Raven spun around. She couldn’t take it anymore. Closing the door firmly behind her, she went up to her room, and lay on her bed while she wrote text messages to Caitlyn and Jennifer.
    Caitlyn replied immediately:
    Wow!!! I’m sooo happy for you! Let’s meet at Rick’s tonight. 6pm? We’ve got so much to talk about! xoxo
    Raven grinned. She just knew that Caitlyn would be excited for her. Jennifer replied a