Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
“Tex, Texas?” I felt half bad as I woke him, eyes watering for too many reasons.
“Why are you crying, chère?”
“Your momma prayed way too much for you to …” I shook my head. Not my place to judge him.
“Go on, finish what you got to say,” he replied, voice a low rumble.
“Nah, I won’t judge you.”
He chuckled. “I remember when I went to your wedding in Cali. Your family looked like they’d groomed you to become a Supreme Court Justice. You never looked down at me.”
“You were fourteen, a kid. A cute … busy kid.”
The doorbell rang. Dang, I thought I had more time and wanted to get his story before his brothers arrived.
“Eat,” I replied, heading out of the room.
“Mærsi.” This larger-than-life man, a solid six-six, thanked me. But that voice was gruff, low, and humble enough to tear my heart out.
At the front door, I placed a finger to my lips, letting Washington and Tennessee inside. Montana had texted that as soon as he handed the Philadelphia Phillies their asses tonight, he’d be here.
Tennessee still wore part of his firefighter turnout gear. He nodded in my direction as they strolled into the kitchen.
Texas had eaten half the omelet, the fork in his fisted hand, when he glanced between the three of us.
I mouthed, Sorry.
“I knew you’d betray me, sis. It’s okay. I been wanting you and Wash to work it out.”
Dramatic ass.
In a matter of seconds, Washington turned into a daytime courtroom TV drama, while Tennessee transformed into a silent, building volcano.
I cut in, arms folded. “Tex, you’re gonna sit and eat while Washington digs into you? How can you not care? If my … son had …” My voice broke, and Washington looped an arm around me. “If Elijah lived to be as old as you, I’d fight him before I let him waste his life.”
Texas nodded and smiled. “I respect that. If Eli did half the crap I had, gran sœr, I’d help you.”
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Tennessee snarled. He was Texas’s spitting image, except Ten wore his hair in neat cornrows.
In response, Texas picked up his fork and took another bite. He pointed the fork at me. “Maddy, for instant grits, bébé, you’re on to something.”
“No, sir. We’re not here for your award-winning humor, Texas,” I replied.
He shrugged and finished his omelet in one last large bite. “Just had me some breakfast for dinner. Now, which one of y’all gone give me a place to lay my head tonight?”
washington
. . .
Iwanted to kick my brother in the ass when I first saw him seated at the kitchen table in Lynetta’s home. Now, I wanted to strangle him half to death.
Halfway, though. I’d release him when those arrogant eyes rolled back to the whites.
Laughing, Texas repeated himself. “Hello! Which one of y’all gone let me spend the night. Wash, Ten? Don’t all answer at once.”
“Why are you laughing, Texas?” Tennessee stepped forward, finally collecting himself enough to speak. “Nothing about this is a laughing matter. I’m not letting you stay with me. You ain’t told me where you’ve been. You left my apartment unlocked. I kicked your ass out; my decision stands.”
C’mon, now! I said, “Y’all are twins. Y’all been in this together since the womb. Ten, take your slow-ass shadow home.”
“Nope. One, he left my home unsecured. Two.” Tennessee lowered his voice as if reluctant to share his reason. “Phoenix needs a place to stay.”
“I see.” Texas nodded, pointing his fork at his twin. “You getting it.” He turned the fork toward me. “And by how close you are to Maddy, you tryna get it, Wash? Big brotha, I’m very disappointed in you. So that’s why you’d leave me on the street?”
“Yep, I’ll even supply you with a cardboard box,” I retorted between snarled teeth. “However, I don’t mind dropping you off at Momma’s.”
“Wash will let you spend the night.” Madison sat on the chair next to him, elbow propped on the table. Head in hands, she looked at Texas. “I take it you don’t want to see Momma Virginia like this. You’ve always been respectful when it counted.”
Tennessee patted my shoulder. “Thanks, bruh.”
Why was he thanking me? I hadn’t even said yes. I threw a glare at Madison, salty enough to season catfish. We had plans. Her, me, our shower, the bed. Why had she offered me up on a platter? I cleared my throat. “I wake up very early.”
Pensive, Texas munched on his omelet. “You always have. Saturday morning golf?”
I rolled my eyes. “Nah, not this time. Even earlier than usual.” Now, go home to Momma.
“Good, I sleep real late.”
After informing Tennessee I wouldn’t create a contract to force Texas to stay in the area, I slammed the door to my ride in front of Lynetta’s row house.
Texas glanced out the window. “Mannn, I love this area, Parkview. I’d be a good dude here. Maybe even get me two pit bulls. Apollo and Rambo. Or Rocco and Nico. You think you and Montana’s friend would feel a type of way if I name my dog Nico?”