The Price of Love (A Price Novel Book 1) by Maggi Craft Page B

and the earring, tampons, and barrette did turn my stomach a little, but it’s not like I could get mad about some girlfriend he had before I got there. I would try and forget them, and next time I had a bright idea like that, I would ignore it.

Chapter 4
    A few days passed before I heard from Kenedy, but then she sent me an email.
    I guess I don’t have any right to say who Slayde can and can’t date, but for some reason, it really bothers me that it’s you. I’m just being honest. I’m not going to say that I’m happy about any of this. I really never thought that you of all people would go behind my back. I know that I am horrible for sleeping with Brady. I wish that I could take it back, but I can’t. It was a mistake I made, but that still doesn’t make it OK for you to go after Slayde. The thought of the two of you hitting it off while you were staying there never even crossed my mind, because you are SO not his type. I really don’t know how you think any of this is going to work with you at school and Slayde here. He is just going to break your heart, and I will have to tell you I told you so. You think he is so perfect, but no one is perfect, Arden. Not even you. You are my sister, and I will always love you, and I just hope you don’t get hurt.
    What in the hell was that? It sure wasn’t an apology or an “I just want you to be happy” email. And what in the hell did she mean by, “You are SO not his type”?
I may not be freaking Malibu Barbie, but I’m not chopped liver, either.
I didn’t know why she even wasted her time sending it to me. I didn’t think there was any need to respond to her, so I deleted it.
    Slayde came in to find me sitting on the couch, staring into space. “What’s wrong?”
    “I don’t know. Nothing, I guess,” I forced myself to smile. I didn’t want him to know that I was still upset about Kenedy.
    He put his arms around me and kissed me. “My mom and sister flew in this morning for a few days. Let’s go eat supper with them.”
    “Oh, I didn’t know your family was coming to town.”
    “Me either. Mom just texted and told me. She kind of likes to just show up like that. She’s been doing it since I got here four years ago.”
    I had met Slayde’s mom, Lexi Price, back when I was dating Brady. She was a doll. She was beautiful and blond and extremely personable. She was from Alabama and even after living in California for twenty years still had a bit of an accent. I always enjoyed talking with her when Brady and I visited his dad. I liked her more than Brady’s mom. Hell, more than I liked my own mom, for that matter. I had to wonder what she would think of Slayde and me dating. Or if she already knew. I hoped she didn’t think I was anything like my sister. Brady and I hadn’t hung out there that often with Slayde and Kenedy, but a few times I’d been there when they were. And I had never really thought Lexi seemed that fond of Kenedy. And surely the way Slayde and Kenedy’s relationship ended wouldn’t have helped her opinion of my sister.
    “Oh, really? That’s nice,” I said about his mom visiting her son so much. “I think I’ll stay here so you can visit with your family. Your dad isn’t coming?”
    He looked down. “No, he’s busy.” I could tell his feelings were hurt. Anytime Slayde spoke of his dad, he always looked sad. I had only met his dad a few times when Brady and I dated, and he always seemed nice to me. Brady hadn’t ever acted like he had any issues with his dad, but maybe he was used to him being gone all the time, since Brady had always lived with his mom.
    Looking back at me, he said, “But you can’t stay here. You’re going. My mom’s feelings would be hurt if you didn’t come.”
So, he did tell her about me.
That made me feel good.
    “Well, OK then. I don’t want to hurt her feelings.”
    As we got ready to go meet his mom and sister, I felt sick. I was more nervous than I had been when we went on our first