“Get your head out of the clouds, Aura,” my mother teases, wearing a knowing smile. “Go put your new clothes on, and then meet me in the kitchen so I can see how they look.”
“Okay.” I offer a grin and jog up the stairs toward my room. I take the time needed to properly freshen up, releasing my messy hair to re-braid the long strands. I do it twice, weaving the hair until I eventually get it styled how I want it. Finding a plain t-shirt in my closet meant for sleeping, I decide to pair it with my outfit. It’s not as fancy as my parents prefer to dress, but it’s okay. This style seems to fit me, and I’m happy to have found something.
Glancing in the mirror, I take in the new items from top to bottom. My casual shirt fits a touch snugly around my breasts the way I like, so I tuck in the looser bottom into the back of my jeans. With a stylish leather jacket on top, jeans hugging my hips like a second skin, and the cute black leather booties to finish it off, I’m pleasantly surprised. I didn’t think much of clothes before, but this outfit suits me. I love it enough to know it’s a favorite for now and in the future. My hair back with wisps framing my face, cheeks flushed, and lip gloss finish off my new look.
I quietly make my way down the stairs, stuck in my head over Hunter. I shouldn’t care as much as I do, but I can’t seem to stop and turn the thoughts off. Where is he anyway? He should’ve contacted me by now. I wish I knew how to get ahold of some of his friends. I have a feeling they’d know how to reach him.
I nearly run smack into my aunt. “Oh! Diana. Your startled me.”
Her lips quirk into a smile. Her expression’s not friendly in the slightest, but it never is. She radiates hostility, and it sends my nerves on edge. She’s the one person Hunter told me to watch out for, and as much as I don’t want to heed his warning, I will. He’s always kept me safe, so I’ll take his word where she’s concerned.
“Well, look at you.” Her gaze rakes over me. “Someone’s been playing dress-up with their daddy’s credit card. How convenient.”
My mouth pops open, unsure of how to respond. She almost seems angry about me wearing new clothes. It’s not like I was out spending until I drained my family’s bank accounts. I was simply getting clothes since I don’t have many. Or any, really. I wore Hunter’s while I stayed with him, and since I’ve been here, I’ve worn what was in my closet from my mother.
“Thank you for noticing. Diana, is it?” I ask, although I know exactly who she is. I drop the aunt title in a tiny defiant form of disrespect. I’m not outright rude like she is—I’ve never been that way before. My friends never spoke to me with such bitterness, so I never did in return either.
“Yes, I’m your aunt. From your father’s side, of course. The smart genes run on our side of the family.”
“I don’t care for what you’re implying.” I stand to my full height, meeting her stare head-on.
“Good thing your thoughts and opinions aren’t relevant to me then.” She shrugs and walks off without another word.
I’m scowling by the time I make it to the kitchen.
“Not a fan of the fit?” my mother asks as soon as she reads my expression.
I drop the irritation and offer up a small smile. I need to be grateful she spent the day with me getting me what I needed. “I love them, thank you. It’s quite generous of you and father. I hope I’m not imposing.”
Her smile screws up into confusion. “What are you talking about? Of course, you’re not imposing, you belong here. This is your home, and we want you here and love you.”
“It’s just with Father and now Diana—”
She cuts me off. “Your father will be at dinner, he promised me already. He was taking care of the media, security, and catching his breath after finally having his little girl back where she belongs. He was overwhelmed. When he last saw you, you came up to his thigh, and now you’re this beautiful lady. As for Diana, well, you’ll learn to ignore her ugliness. She may have flawless skin and a slight frame, but karma will catch up with her eventually. She’s been extra testy lately. Don’t pay her any mind, and it’ll settle itself. You’ll see.”
“What’s this I hear? Problems so soon?” my father asks, entering the kitchen. He takes me in, offers me a wide smile, and pulls me in for a hug. He holds me for a beat, then two and three. Long enough to make me choke up with emotion. I’ve wanted him to hug me and hold me like this from the moment Hunter contacted him.
“It’s nothing. I’m grateful to be here, and for the generosity you’ve both shown me.”
“What’s mine is yours. You’ll learn as much. As for Diana, she has mood spells. Give her a little time. If she doesn’t warm to you, I’ll ask her to stay in her city apartment.”
“I don’t want to put her out any. I’m sure it’ll get better,” I state without much conviction. It’s hard to be positive about someone who acts the way she does.
My mother’s brow pops up, reading my uncertainty. “No, don’t worry about her. She’s an adult with a pampered life, and you’ve been surviving in the wild.”
I clear my throat. “Ugh, it wasn’t exactly like that—”
“Nonsense,” my father cuts me off. “Your mother is right. We’re here for you, and we have been from the day you were born.” He winks, and it makes me smile. I forgot he used to wink at me when we were up to something. Usually, it came with promises of ice cream. I don’t know how I even remember as much, but I do.
“Does this mean you have ice cream waiting for me too?”
His mouth drops, surprise overcoming him. He booms out a laugh and tugs me toward the refrigerator. “I can’t believe you remember,” he admits when my mom moves to sit at the table away from us.
“Of course. I never forgot you, either of you,” I embellish, sending a glance in my mom’s direction.
He hugs me to his side and opens the freezer. “Let’s find the good stuff. I know the cook keeps our favorites.”
“Mine too?” I ask, shocked to my core. I don’t remember what it is, so I’ll have to pretend I do.
My mom calls from the table, “Your father stopped eating his favorite. He always has a pint in the freezer, but he goes for yours instead.”
I meet his gaze. It’s watery, but I let it pass without acknowledgment. My parents love me, and they’ve never stopped. If I doubted as much before, I don’t anymore. It’s in all the little things I’ve noticed since coming here to my home. They never stopped believing I was out there somewhere, and it fills my heart full of love. Having them in my life now far outweighs the negativity coming from Diana. I can deal with her if it means I have my parents around to cushion her blows.
Chapter Thirteen
HUNTER
“I overheard Steven’s conversation this morning. My niece is searching for three friends she had on the island with her. We need to find them before she does. I don’t want anyone else miraculously showing up and causing any more problems. The biker was enough,” Diana gripes at her partner. I still haven’t figured his name out. She doesn’t seem to respect him to call him anything at all. She merely complains and barks orders his way every chance she gets.