Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 91434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Her mouth opens. “I know, shocking since it was like out of this world before, but now it’s like kablam.” I shake my hands and some of the paint drops on my pants. “Like he just got better with age, which is not fair, by the way. He was supposed to get older and have saggy balls.”
She throws her head back and laughs. “I never want to picture Brock and his balls again in my life. Thank you for the visual.” It’s my turn to laugh. “Word on the street is that he’s smiling now and not all grouchy and shit. Grunting instead of using words. It’s a phenomenon, really.” I can’t help but laugh a bit. “We are all saying that it looks good on him.”
I look down at the wall and then back at Autumn. “Anything looks good on him,” I admit. “He was always too handsome for his own damn good.”
“We’ll agree to disagree on that.” She makes me laugh as we switch topics, and she asks me how I’m going to decorate the shop.
We paint for a good couple of hours before there is a knock on the window. We look over to see Landon with his balled-up baby fists in his mouth as his face goes into a gummy smile, looking at his mom before he finally shrieks out in a high-pitched squeal.
“There is my man,” she says, putting down her paintbrush and wiping her hands on her pants before reaching out and grabbing him. She pulls him to her and kisses his neck. “Did you miss me?”
“We did,” Charlie confirms, leaning down and kissing her lips, “so, so much.” I smile at the three of them having their moment.
“This is perfect timing,” I say, putting the paintbrush down, “because I am done for the day.” I clap my hands together.
“I’m going to clean up and then head out.”
“Oh no,” Charlie says, “why don’t I clean up for you two, and you guys can go to the bar and take a load off?”
“Isn’t he the best?” Autumn asks, looking at me and then looking up at Charlie.
“He’s something,” I reply, trying not to laugh at them.
“Are you sure?” I ask, and he nods. “Fine.”
I walk out with Autumn. “Are you sure he’s okay?” I ask, turning my head. I don’t even look where I’m going and almost run into something.
“Oh my, I’m so sorry,” I finally say, looking forward and coming face-to-face with Karla. My stomach literally sinks down to my feet. It was bound to happen; the town isn’t that big.
“Well, well, well,” she snips with a sickening smile on her face, “I heard you were back.” She folds her arms over her chest. “Didn’t really believe it until my daughter said she hung out with her dad’s friend.” She chuckles. “It was no big secret who that could be, considering he doesn’t really have any friends.”
It’s my turn to smirk at her. “I guess you don’t know him like you think you know him.” Her grin turns into a glare.
“I knew him enough to have his child and marry him.”
I put my hand to my stomach to hold in my laughter as Autumn gasps beside me. “Oh, yeah, you would have to know him enough to spread your legs for him.” I put my finger to my chin and look to the side. “And how was the marriage? From what I heard, it was so good it lasted a whole what… six months at that.”
“Fuck you, Everleigh,” she snaps.
“Now, now.” I shake my head. “Must have touched a nerve.”
“I don’t want you around my daughter,” she finally hisses.
“Well, it’s a good thing Brock is a good father, and he also gets to decide who is in his daughter’s life.” I wait for her to tear him down as a father, and I know if she does, I’m throwing hands. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go and have a drink. You have a blessed day, Karla.”
“Enjoy my sloppy seconds.” She thinks she’s taking a parting shot at me.
“Oh, trust me, I will.” I smile big. “Considering he was mine before he was yours, and well, I think we all know that he never really did move on, even if he fucked you.” I look over at Autumn, who is trying to hide her smile behind Landon’s head. “Shall we?”
“We shall,” Autumn agrees. “Also…” She looks at Karla. “How fucking sad is it that you used your daughter for any of this?” I don’t even wait for her to answer. I just pull Autumn away from her.
When we are in the bar, she looks over at me. “Walk all the way to the end and go to my office, now.”
“I’m fine,” I say even though deep down I’m not fine. She puts her hand in mine and drags me to the back to her office.