Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 149338 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149338 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
Her eyes searched all around her, until realization hit her face. “Oh…”
“Is she your girl, Unkey?” Amari chimed in, hanging off of him like a monkey.
“You’re my girl.”
She nodded, ecstatic with his response. “I good sharer. I share him,” she reassured me.
We all laughed.
“Come, baby girl. Let’s head back to the house. People are probably already there.” Briggs looked at her uncle. “Austin left with Michael already, he needed to go down for a nap. You’re coming back to the house, right?”
“Please, Unkey. We can have a tea party in my room.” She clapped, excited.
“Of course. This little monkey and I have some catching up to do, and apparently some tea to drink.”
Briggs nodded, reaching for Amari who leaned further into his chest.
“No. I stay with Unkey.”
“Amari—”
“It’s fine,” he interrupted.
Briggs bit her lip, skeptically. Looking from him to the limo, knowing there were bodyguards in there. Knowing she could possibly be putting her daughter’s life in danger. She didn’t feel comfortable leaving Amari with him, and I couldn’t blame her. A hurt look flew by Martinez’s face, it was quick but I saw it. My heart immediately hurt for both of them. I knew there was so much he wanted to say, but for some reason.
He couldn’t.
“I’ll be in there with them,” I blurted, needing to say something. Hoping it would help.
Briggs looked over at me and then back at her uncle, sighing. Finally smiling lovingly at her daughter, who was so happy and content in his arms. Not paying any mind to the uncomfortable scene playing out in front of her.
“Okay,” Briggs agreed. “I’ll follow you back to my house. Do you remember where I live?”
He nodded.
Amari sat next to Martinez in the limo, hugging his arm as she told him all about her baby brother. I sat across from them, admiring the bond they shared. She showed him that she knew how to count to ten and recited all her colors. Letting him know all the things that were important to her. He paid close attention to each and every word that came out of her mouth. And for the first time since I met him, I thought about having a family one day.
With him.
I peered out the window, trying to shake off the thoughts. Feeling his intense gaze on the side of my face as if he knew what I was thinking, without me having to say anything. He turned his attention back to the enthusiastic little girl, grabbing at his chin. Needing his undivided attention.
Briggs and Austin’s home was beautiful. It sat right on the water, and had a dock that extended out toward the lake. Countless pictures lined their walls. Their kids were the center of attention, but they also had a number of them alone, as well as plenty with their friends and family. All of their memories hung proudly on display. Their home was so inviting. You could feel so much love everywhere.
I couldn’t help but think of our future. Would we ever have what they did, one day? Wondering if it was in the cards for us, if he wanted more with me. He wouldn’t have brought me back with him if he didn’t, right?
I didn’t have too much time to dwell on my suddenly, plaguing thoughts. Briggs pulled me away, introducing me to all her friends, who were more like family, she said. She called them the good ol’ boys, which included Austin. Lucas was married to Alex, Bo and Half-pint was what they called them. I guess Alex was a tomboy who was a part of the group growing up. None of the boys wanted to see them together and made sure to put them through hell. Jacob was married to Lily, who was Lucas’s baby sister. And that relationship was pretty much self-explanatory on why they had to keep it a secret from everyone. Especially Lucas, who never imagined they’d get together. Dylan was a narcotics detective who was married to Aubrey, a girl from California. I guess they had spent years apart before finding one another again.
All of them had kids, most of them teenagers already. From what I gathered they all had tumultuous relationships from the start but love prevailed in the end, and I would be lying if I said it didn’t give me hope.
“So, tell us Lexi, what’s it like being with Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome?” Lily asked, wiggling her eyebrows.
We were all sitting outside on the patio while the younger kids ran around playing in the yard. The men were off bullshitting somewhere. The only teenager that was at the party was Mia, which was Lucas and Alex’s fifteen-year-old daughter. I couldn’t help but keep an eye on her. She seemed to be lost in her own head.
“Eww, Lily,” Briggs replied, pulling my attention away from Mia.