#Chapter71 What have I gotten myself into?

"Hailey!" I am suddenly engulfed in a bone crushing embrace. "Don't you dare go disappearing again!" A frantic Peyton scolds me like I am a tyke.

"We were worried sick, young lady!" Across the living room, my mother stands firm, eyebrows knitted together, lips tightly pouted with indignation, and with hands resting on her curvy hips. "How could you pull a stunt like that? You're more mature than this." Her eyebrows furrow further with anxiety held firm in frustration.

I mentally roll my eyes at my mother. "Sorry, mom." I grit out with a cheeky tone — I am still half-shaken with fury....