Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 115288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Peyton smiles and Gavin’s mother chuckles. But the atmosphere is still tense, and it’s my fault for making it this way. At the end of the meal Gavin’s parents suggest they take Peyton for a few hours and invite Karen and Kyle to join them, giving Gavin and me some time on our own. Which we obviously need after that shit show of a lunch. Judith hugs me and tells me everything will be fine. I’m unsurprised when Karen barely acknowledges my existence before they depart with Gavin’s parents, taking Gavin’s SUV, and leaving the two of us alone.
Once we’re in my car, I go off. “How in the world did you deal with that woman on a daily basis? She’s damn well infuriating. Does she always undermine everything you do? How am I ever going to get along with her when all she does is make me feel two inches tall?” I continue ranting, pissed and frustrated that this woman has such a hold on Gavin’s life, and she doesn’t even live in the same city. “Why do you let her talk to you like that? All she does is criticize your parenting. I’ve never felt so judged in my life. I don’t understand why you’d take that kind of shit from her. You sure as hell wouldn’t take that from me.”
He’s quiet for a while, staring out the window. I wonder if he’s even listening to me when he finally speaks. “I didn’t want to embarrass Karen in front of you and my parents. She’s usually not that … overbearing. Opinionated yes, but not like that. I didn’t think calling her out in the middle of a public restaurant would make the situation better.”
“Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to keep my mouth shut?” I grip the steering wheel tightly, feeling it squeak under my hands.
“Well, to be fair, you didn’t keep your mouth shut.” His voice is low and tight, and it almost sounds like an accusation. Or maybe that’s just how I’m receiving it.
“She criticizes everything I do! I think I managed to keep it together for a decent amount of time. No one should be talked to the way she talks to me. And maybe I’m a little easier going when it comes to rules, but you told Peyton she could have what she wanted, and Karen came in and criticized your parenting in front of your own parents.” I pull into the underground lot and park my car.
“I know, and I need to talk to her, but as I said, I didn’t feel a restaurant was the best location for that conversation to take place. Besides, Peyton had fries because I shared mine with her. So she got what she wanted anyway.”
Gavin is quiet in the elevator as we head up to my condo, giving me a little time to cool off, although I’m still pretty fired up. Once we’re in my apartment, I head for the fridge and grab myself one of the coolers Andrea brought the last time I had her and Belinda over. It’s been a while. Neatly coinciding with the amount of time I’ve been with Gavin. My sisters and I like to have girls’ nights in, but with London still breastfeeding and Avery preggers, that’s not going to be in the cards anytime soon.
“Can I get you something to drink?” I’m snappy, which isn’t normal for me.
“It’s only four.” He glances pointedly at the clock.
“It’s Friday and it’s been a day,” I reply and take a hefty gulp of the too-sweet liquid.
Gavin leans against the counter and sighs. “I know the way Karen has been behaving is a problem.”
I’m relieved to hear him say that; unfortunately, it feels like there’s a but at the end of that statement. “So how do we manage this? What am I supposed to do, Gavin? Walk around on eggshells? Bite my tongue? Let her undermine both of us? I don’t know what I’m allowed to say and not say. What’s my role here? It’s like she still treats me as though I’m the nanny, not your girlfriend. And if you know she’s a problem, how are we going to fix it?”
He sighs heavily and rubs his temple, like this conversation is giving him a headache. Like it’s me that’s the issue, not the woman who constantly makes me feel like shit. And honestly, Gavin’s unwillingness to stand up to her is … not the most attractive quality at the moment. “I realize I let Karen get away with a lot more than I should.”
This conversation feels like pulling teeth. Like he’s holding back. “If you realize it, why do you let it keep happening?”
He drags his tongue along his bottom lip, eyes on the floor. He shakes his head a couple of times and finally, quietly, says, “Because, Harley, I’m the reason their daughter is dead.”