Life in the Lucky Zone (The Zone #2) Read Online Free

doorway, fastening a two-carat diamond earring in her left ear. She was dressed to impress in a royal blue evening gown.
    “It’s okay,” I mumbled, snatching up my escaping makeup. I wiped the tears away before standing. I could not handle the idea of long explanations. I waved a hand to indicate her outfit. “So, what’s going on?”
    She came over and picked up my purse, setting it on the counter. “The heart disease fundraiser.”
    I stared at her blankly. I didn’t remember anyone mentioning such a thing in the last few weeks.
    “You know,” she said, “the one the golf club is sponsoring.”
    “Oh, right.” I pretended to remember, because it finally sank in I was about to have the whole house to myself. Perfect for shedding tears. “Aren’t y’all leaving a little early?”
    “Your dad has to be there before it starts.” She stepped closer, her blond bob swishing near her ears. “Are you all right? Your eyes look a little red.”
    “I’m fine, just tired.”
    “How’s Adam? Did he have a good trip?”
    I hesitated. I’d have to tell her about the breakup soon, but not right now. Not when all I wanted was to cry into my pillow until morning. “I think so. His parents were picking him up, so I didn’t stay long.”
    She gave me an I told you so look. She hadn’t wanted me to drive all the way to the airport for nothing. I should’ve listened to her.
    Dad walked in, holding up Mom’s lush, brown, faux-fur coat. “Hey, sweet pea,” he said and smiled. “I didn’t know you were home.”
    I forced myself to smile back. I probably looked like Chucky from the horror movies. “Only just.”
    Mom slid her arms into the coat. “What’re you doing tonight?”
    I shrugged. “Probably watching Netflix.”
    “Why don’t you invite the girls over?” she asked. “They can spend the night if you want.”
    She tried to mask her worry, but the pinch between her eyebrows gave it away. She didn’t completely trust me. Okay, so maybe I’d done some stupid things in the last year, but I wasn’t about to rush out to some party as soon as they were gone. There weren’t any that I knew about. Plus, I wasn’t in any shape to. But I should probably reassure her. “It’s short notice, but maybe I’ll invite them anyway.”
    “Good,” she said.
    Dad kissed me on the forehead. “The roads might be icy later tonight. Y’all don’t go anywhere.”
    I wrinkled my nose at him, only because it was our thing. “We won’t.”
    He wrinkled his nose back, and all three of us looked awkwardly at each other. I seriously needed to find some way to end this and get them out the door. “You guys look really purty.”
    Mom smiled, and Dad smoothed his hands down his tux jacket. “We’d better get going.”
    I stepped back even though I wasn’t in the way. Clear shot to the door, you two! Out you go! “Have a great time.”
    “We will,” Mom said, then kissed me on the cheek, her floral perfume filling my nostrils.
    Dad lifted the car keys from the rack. “See you tonight.”
    “Yup,” I said.
    And out they went. I grabbed my purse and headed into the entry hall, my boot steps echoing around the marble floor and high ceiling. Like being in a mausoleum. All it needed was a big, stone coffin. From the front window I could see the SUV’s headlights make it to the end of the driveway, then turn, and head down the street. They were finally gone.
    And I was completely alone.
    I trudged upstairs to my room, let my purse and jacket fall to the floor, and dropped face down on the bed. Then waited for the tears. But none came. Nada.
    I inhaled my pillowcase for ten seconds and then flipped over. What was wrong with me? After holding back tears for over an hour, why couldn’t I cry? The pain was still there, radiating from my chest to my stomach, but I couldn’t get it out. Like it was lodged in my throat or something.
    Above me on the ceiling, the four guys from Storm stared out of their boy band poster with