Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 92782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
She rolled her head over to the side to face me as I drove toward her house. “Did I ever tell you about my sister?”
We had talked very little about her family. Unless it was one of those times I had zoned out.
I shook my head, seeing as she didn’t seem to remember.
“Well, she’s a disaster. Our father spoiled her. She was always his favorite. She got everything she wanted. Like the bigger room even though I was five years older than her. He called her baby, but no endearments for me. Even on his death bed, it was her name he whispered on his last breath.” She sighed heavily. “Her spoiled life led to her dropping out of college. Dating this rich guy since high school who won’t ever marry her. She was just his easy fuck. She can’t keep a job, and the one she has now is a shitty one. Anyway, her rich boyfriend dumped her again, and she basically demanded that I give her a place to stay. I’m giving her a month.”
She sounded like a bitch.
“You’re more generous than I’d have been.”
“Mom died two years ago, and she didn’t even come to the funeral. She called me, and that was it. Nothing else. Then, she shows up on my doorstep with her suitcases like I should kiss her feet that she came to see me.”
Who doesn’t come to their mother’s funeral? Jesus.
“I worked so hard in school to get scholarships, and then I got student loans. I busted my ass through medical school while she was off, traipsing around, never visiting Mom or me. Sleeping with that boyfriend for his money. It would have broken our dad’s heart to see what she’d turned out to be.”
Their father had clearly ruined her by having a favorite.
“Seems like he chose the wrong daughter,” I said.
“Yeah, that’s what Mom use to say,” she replied with a sad smile on her face.
I pulled into the driveway of her three-story home. It was massive for just one person, but she’d explained she bought it with her future family in mind. The thought of my living here and having a family with her, however, wasn’t appealing. I liked my farmhouse and land. But if I listed out the pros and cons of settling down with her, the pros side would win.
“I’d invite you inside, but, well, she’s in there. Probably eating all my food and lying in the living room, watching television like she owns the place.”
I should feel disappointment that there would be no sex with her tonight, but I was more relieved than anything. I leaned over and pressed a kiss to her lips. She smelled expensive, and I liked that. Her lips were a little hard from the filler she’d just had injected into them, but her minty breath was nice.
“Good night,” I said as I ended the kiss.
“Good night, Liam. Thanks for tonight.”
I nodded my head. “My pleasure.”
I waited until she made it to the door. I should have probably walked her to it, but I wasn’t thinking. I’d been ready for her to get out so I could go home and enjoy a quiet evening on my front porch with Ozzy—my Great Dane—and a beer.
4
Liberty
Shawn glanced down at my chest, then cleared his throat. I tugged at the Abernathy’s tank top that was part of our work uniform, feeling self-conscious. I knew what he was thinking. I’d noticed it, too, in the mirror when I got dressed earlier today. My boobs were bigger. I hadn’t known that happened with pregnancy. There was a lot I didn’t know. I needed to see a doctor, and as soon as my Medicaid was approved, I would.
“You, uh,” he said, running his hand through his wavy brown hair, “look good tonight, Lib.”
I had to see if I could get a bigger-sized tank top.
“Thanks,” I replied tightly.
He was a complete man-whore. When he had first started working here, he asked me out regularly. Even though he knew I had a boyfriend. Eventually he stopped and we’d found a comfortable working relationship. Then, when he found out we broke up, it resumed. I had finally gotten to a place where I didn’t dread seeing him, and now, I had to deal with his propositions all over again.
“Looks like sorority girls just sat down there. Your favorite,” I told him. “You take that end. I’ll stay on this end.”
He glanced down there, then back at me. “Was that a jab?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Not at all. Just pointing out the obvious.”
He took a step toward me and glanced back at my chest again. “If you gave me a chance, Lib, I could change your mind about me.”
Yeah, well, buddy, I am three years older than you and pregnant. Not happening.
I raised my eyebrows and shook my head. “Go see what the sorority girls want to drink.”