Snare: Road Kill MC (A Novel) Read Online Free Page B

daughter.
    She deserves the best. I couldn't pay Snare back for everything he saved me from, but I can do right by Jaylin.
    I'm just hoping the final price is something I can pay.
     
    *
     
    Schools always smell the same. Jaylin's doesn't smell any different than how I remember from when I was little.
    Walking through the halls, I notice there aren't any kids. All the parents have picked up their children. I'm the only irresponsible one of the group.
    I move through the classroom door, and Jaylin catches sight of me in the doorway. She squeals.
    Looking at her squeezes my heart so painfully I can barely breathe. Jaylin looks achingly like Snare. Black hair, incredibly bright blue eyes, dusky skin. They could be twins.
    But where he's rugged and broad—strong and tall—Jaylin is delicate, fine-boned. Of course, she's not five yet, but she's dainty like me. I'm small boned, but I'm toned.
    Jaylin's got enough energy for us both. “Mommy!” she cries, running to me.
    I sweep her into my arms as soon as she's within arm's reach. “Hey, monkey.” I cradle her against me. “How was your day?” I kiss the tip of her nose.
    “Fabulous!” she says.
    I wink. She has her daddy's brains too. Every word is used with enthusiasm.
    Glancing up, I see the cool eyes of her teacher regarding me with at best, disdain, at worst, judgment. I've sure seen that a lot.
    “Ms. Reynolds?” she calls out, her voice like frost on grass.
    I let Jaylin slide down the front of me, and I tap her on her nose with my finger. It's pink because she's getting over a cold. Dammit.
    I stand, automatically straightening my maxi skirt over my legs. After digging around in my purse, I pull out Twenty Yawns . It's a little too young for her, but it’s Jaylin's favorite book. There are a few things I splurge on.
    “Will you read this while Mommy talks to Teacher?”
    Jaylin nods, her brilliant blue eyes big with wonder. When we drive to ballet, I'll hear all about her day.
    “I have something for you, Ms. Reynolds.”
    I nod. I know what's coming. A big, fat bill. There's been a bunch of tardiness this month. I can't make it here to pick Jaylin up on time. I'm still being trained at The Crawl. I have to pay my dues. I can't say, “Sorry, boss man, can't make the routine because I gotta pick up my kid.” We all have obligations.
    Sometimes, mine seem like more.
    “Yes, Ms. Cronin?” I keep my face blank when what I really want to do is cry.
    She flips her palm out, and I frown. I know what the overage bills look like. This envelope is creamy, thick. Final.
    I take it from her, and she folds her hands behind her back.
    “What is this?”
    “That is a dismissal notice.”
    I jerk my face up from staring at the envelope. “What?” I ask. My head feels hot, and my palms dampen the expensive paper between my fingers.
    “The contract for enrollment at our institution states that excessive late pickups is grounds for dismissal. After all, Ms. Reynolds, actions speak louder than words.”
    The effort to hold tears back makes my chest tight. My throat burns. “I love my child, Ms. Cronin,” I choke out.
    She lifts her hand, squeezing my arm. “I'm sure you do, Kitty, but your lifestyle disallows punctuality.”
    I tear my arm from her grasp. “What does my work have to do with this?” I raise the thick envelope in my hand, wanting to smack her in the face with it. “I pay on time. I pay the overages. I've begun a new job...”
    “Yes, I see from your updated file that you work at The Crawl now.”
    Heat rushes to my face, and I know my fair skin reveals my shame. I don't need words. It's there, painted on me in red. I'm a stripper. I swallow my pride. “There's only two months left at school. I don't have any other arrangements for Jaylin.”
    We turn and look at her. Her little rosebud mouth silently moves, sounding out the letters to make words.
    I whip back to face Cronin.
    She retreats a step. “I'm sorry. You should have considered that more