You Got Me by Mercy Amare Read Free Book Online Page A

Once we headed outside, she questioned. “Where are we going?”
    “ To my home.” I looked at the time on my phone. “If we leave now, we should get there by nine thirty.”
    She looked at my car. “Is your car going to make it?”
    I laughed. “I hope so.”
    “ Let's take my car,” she offered. “It's new. My parents gave it to me when I came here. I never use it.”
    I wanted to say no, but I honestly didn't think my car would make the trip again. “You're probably right.”
     
    ROXY
    I couldn't help but question why I came with Aiden so willingly. I also wondered why he was still talking to me after what happened last night. I wouldn't have blamed him if he freaked out and never spoke to me again. But he did, and he's here. If I didn't scare him away last night, maybe I never will.
    I gave my keys to Aiden so he could drive us. He looked funny sitting behind the wheel of my car.
    “Your car is so... girly,” he said.
    I laughed. My car is an orange, VW Beetle. My parents surprised me with it the day before I left for Auburn University. It wasn't the car I would have picked out for myself, but I liked it. It's very fuel efficient, dependable, and it's honestly grown on me. I love my car.
    The ride to Heart, Alabama was fun. We both had similar taste in music, so we sang along with the radio. Aiden wasn't the best singer, but that made it more fun. Just two friends laughing, and having a good time. It felt right, normal even.
    As we got closer to Heart, I could tell that Aiden was nervous.
    “Are you ok?” It was now my turn to ask him.
    “ Yeah.” He gripped the steering wheel tight. “I know your parents have a lot of money, so you're used to living in a nice house. My family, we aren't so fortunate.”
    I put my hand on his shoulder. “Steve and Emily have only been my parents for 3 years. Before them, my life wasn't so great. My mom and me, we were really poor. We even lived in a shelter for a few months.” I cringed at the memory. “She couldn't exactly hold down a job.”
    “Roxy, I'm so sorry.”
    “ It's ok. Besides, stuff doesn't matter to me. I'd love Steve and Emily even if they were broke.” The truth in my words surprised me. I knew that I couldn't have made it through these last 3 years without them.
    I got excited when I saw a sign that said “ Welcome to Heart, Alabama. ”
    “ I have to warn you about my mom. Sometimes she gets over excited. And I've never brought a girl home,” he stopped abruptly. “Well, not that you're my girl or anything. But my mom, she will read into this. Even if there isn't anything to read into. Not that there couldn't ever be. I mean...”
    I nodded and held back a laugh. “I understand. You really don't have to explain.” I loved seeing Aiden nervous.
    We pulled into Shady Grove Trailer Park . It honestly wasn't that bad for a trailer park. I had seen much worse, and the neighborhood didn't seem bad. Of course, I grew up in Chicago, so anything would be better by comparison. I was used to carrying around mace, just in case.
    There were a few people sitting outside in lawn chairs. It was the end of October, but in Alabama that didn't matter. It was still warm. Everybody stared as we drove by. Aiden waved at a few of them.
    Finally, we pulled up to a small trailer. I tried to imagine Aiden, his 2 siblings and mom living in there, but I couldn't. How could they all fit? There couldn't be more than 2 rooms inside.
    “ This is home,” he said, a little shyly.
    “ I love it,” I smiled, unbuckling my seat belt.
    Before we got halfway to the door, it swung open. There was a blonde girl who looked about 15 years old standing there. She looked a lot like Aiden, and I knew immediately that this was his little sister. He had told me about her, but I don't recall him ever mentioning her name.
    “Aiden!” She squealed and ran over to him.
    He hugged her back tightly. “I can't believe you're here, and not at your boyfriend's house.”
    She rolled her eyes