The Good Girls Read Free Page B

that.” He shook his head as he took my hand in his. “My mom is just really conservative. I told you about how I was raised.” Like I was raised, and even my own mother couldn’t find it in her heart to love me.
    “And?” I pulled my hand free and crossed my arms over my chest.
    “Well, you’re just kind of…I dunno…” Worthless.
    “What?” My voice rose as I stared daggers into the side of his face. “I’m what?” Say it. Look me in the eye and tell me what you really think of me.
    “She just wouldn’t approve of us.” He bit this out as he gave me a sympathetic glance, but I could see his knuckles whiten as he gripped the wheel tighter. He was struggling to control his temper, and I was pushing him too far, but I didn’t care.
    “Oh, really? Would she approve of her son who gets his girlfriend high and fucks her in his car along the road?”
    “Are you fucking serious?” He pulled up to the curb just outside of my driveway and turned off the engine, turning to face me.
    “What do you care what she thinks?” It’s because this is about what you think of me. Just say it.
    “I don’t.” He ran his hands roughly through his hair.
    “It’s you.” My voice was barely audible. “You’re ashamed of me. You’re embarrassed.”
    I opened my door as he reached over and grabbed my wrist so tightly it felt as if the bones would crumble beneath his fingers.
    “Don’t walk away from me, Cara.”
    “It’s late. I have to go.”
    His fingers loosened slightly, and I pulled my hand free as I got out of the car, bending down to look him in the eye. “I’m embarrassed to be dating you right now, too.” With that I slammed the door and took off down the road, stumbling on the gravel under my feet.

CHAPTER THREE
    Ellie
    W hen I awoke the sun was blinding me, and I stretched, my entire body aching from the sadness of the night before. I glanced to the alarm clock on the stand beside the bed and jumped when I noticed it was nearly eleven. It took me a moment to remember I didn’t need to be at the bakery to help Mom, and the dread settled back into my chest. My eyes fell to the electronic reader, and I wanted to disappear into my beige blanket. I was raised to be proper and presentable, and I’d already lost it on my first night. Cara must think I’m pathetic.
    I pulled open a box labeled Clothing and grabbed a nice blue sundress that I had gotten a few months ago, along with my undies. I hurried down the hall to the bathroom and turned on the shower. I usually had to let it run a few minutes for it to get warm at my old home, but here it was nearly instantaneous. At least there’s one bright side to living here , I thought as I pulled off my clothing and dropped it to the floor.
    As I dragged back the floral curtain, my eyes danced over the many different bottles of shampoos and conditioners. I’d always used the ninety-nine-cent kind from the local supermarket. I stepped under the warm spray and began picking up the different bottles, flipping open the lids, and smelling them. I smiled as I recognized the lilac scent of Cara.
    I poured the creamy liquid into my hand and massaged it in my hair, the warm water making me feel more awake.
    I rushed through my normal shower routine, not wanting to waste the hot water, even if they had it in abundance here. Dressing quickly, I combed my fingers through my damp hair to make sure it wasn’t tangled. I glanced over my appearance in the mirror. My eyes were no longer swollen and puffy, and I could pass for presentable. That would have to do.
    I made my way downstairs to find Cara flipping through the channels in the family room, wearing jeans and a T-shirt, making me feel overdressed for the day. Her face lit up when she noticed me, and she patted the cushion beside her. I sat down, still embarrassed by her witnessing my breakdown last night. “I…ugh…wanted to thank you for last night.”
    “What happened last night?” My father was standing in the