Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
“You’re good. Take it day by day. Which, by the way, hold off on the job hunt for a week, eh?” That piques my interest even more, wondering why he’d ask me something like waiting to get a job.
“Why?” My voice is muffled as I wipe my tears on my brother's shirt. He offered, and I’m taking advantage.
“Matthew may have mentioned you used to babysit when you were in high school and college. Jameson is checking out some schools for Josephine. He thinks it’ll backfire, and he’ll need someone to watch JoJo,” Shaun explains. I make sure to finish cleaning my face on his bright yellow work shirt, the only color he probably has in his whole closet, and the only reason he has it is because he works in the woods clearing land.
“I’m not going to hold my breath. Jameson looked like he wanted me as far away from his daughter as possible.” I step away, shrugging my shoulders. Though I’d be a liar if I said the idea doesn’t excite me. Nannying by day and doing some photography stuff on the side; it’d be perfect almost too perfect.
“He’s like that with everyone, especially women. You know how this town can be. They see a single dude with a kid, and they’re trying to get close to their child in order to get close to the dad.” My eyebrows furrow as disgust rolls through my body like a tidal wave. I shouldn’t be surprised. Jameson is a catch, in more ways than one. Dirty blond hair, blue eyes, a maintained beard, muscular build, and that’s only in the looks alone. What people don’t see is the fierce protector Jameson is, how amazing he is with his daughter, and I’ve only seen him once since I’ve been back.
“I’ll wait a week, no more. I’m not expecting a job to fall into my lap, and I’m still going to see what they have for availability in town.” Shaun goes to say something else, but I’m cutting him off before he can object. “I’m still going to work on the photography side, post to social media, and start the re-branding process along with getting my business license moved from Chicago to North Carolina.”
“Alright, I can’t argue with that. The groceries are another story. If I ask for something specific and you’re going to the store, I’ll leave a list with the money. The shit I usually buy isn’t cheap. I don’t expect you to pay for more than your share.” This time, it’s me ready to interrupt. “Don’t start. I make great money. My mortgage is cheap, and it’s not like you hog all the hot water. I’m good. Save your money until you’re ready.” I nod, unwilling to start blubbering all over my brother’s shirt once again. It’s hard to fathom staying away from home for so long, minus the holidays, when I have such a great family, especially because I did it for a loveless marriage.
“Okay, Shaun, I’ll relent.”
“Good, glad that’s settled. I’m outta here. If I’m late for work, Jameson will give me a ration of hell at the poker table tonight.” I roll my eyes. Shaun can hold his own with cards. Not sure how the others fair.
“Have a good day at work and stay safe,” I tell my brother, knowing he’s going to be clearing land today on some kind of machine.
“Always. See you later, kiddo.” At that, I roll my eyes. This is what I get for having an older brother.
“Later.” I don’t bother finishing my coffee. There’s only so much I can take, and today is the final day. I clean up the small mess in the kitchen Shaun made, then it’s time to officially start my day.
5
JAMESON
“You good?” I ask Shaun when he steps out of his truck. The need to work this weekend superseded spending time with Josephine after yesterday’s funeral and wake. We’re behind on a few projects, which means mandatory overtime for the guys as well as pulling my own weight. Waking up this morning after only getting a few hours of sleep sucked. My head was full of worry, mainly about the little girl who stole half the damn king-sized bed. How a toddler can do circles like a clock a few times, spread out like a starfish, only for her to practically land on top of me, I have no idea. The precise reason why Josephine sleeps in her own bed. Last night was a one off, and she’ll be back in her own tonight. If she doesn’t ask to spend the night at my parents’. Even with only a few hours of sleep, a little hand patting my cheek, waking up to my daughter looking down at me with the same blue eyes is totally fucking worth it. A big smile later, she asked for breakfast, and we were up for the day. We got our day started with Josephine watching cartoons while I made us some breakfast. She asked for wobbly eggs better known as scrambled with cheese, bacon, toast, and strawberries, though she didn’t pronounce them the correct way. It was cute as hell and had me enjoying the pure joy of her words. I made the same for myself minus the cheese and heavy on the black cup of coffee. The toons were turned off, we had breakfast together, and then we got ready to head out. Mom called as I was cooking, asking if she could keep JoJo today, which worked in my favor seeing as how I knew the crew would be coming in today. I’m not the type of boss who delegates work when we’re behind and shit needs to get done. I’m right there in the thick of it. A few minutes into the call, JoJo heard her nan on the phone. She was ecstatic, and I was relieved. The only snafu I’m learning with Emma gone is Josephine’s hair. It’s a riot of waves, and her waking up with it sticking in every which direction means water and a comb. Other than that, I’m fucking useless. Maybe tonight I’ll find a tutorial to figure out how to work with her hair.