Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“Know what?”
“About Brooklyn?” He glanced up long enough to watch my reaction as he added, “Dad’s girlfriend.”
“I knew he was seeing someone.”
“For how long?”
“Where is this coming from?”
“I heard them talking. I know he was seeing her when he was still with you.” His eyes narrowed. “Did you know he was screwing around?”
“Whether he did or didn’t have a girlfriend wouldn’t have changed anything, Austin. Not for me.” I was walking on treacherous ground, and the last thing I wanted to do was hurt him more than he’d already been hurt. So, I told him, “I wasn’t happy, and I hadn’t been happy for a very long time.”
“But that doesn’t give him the right to step out on you.”
“Your father has every right to be happy, and if Brooklyn’s what makes him happy, I wish him the best. I really, really do.”
“Brooklyn sucks.”
“But your dad likes her, and he must like her a lot to bring her around you guys. So, maybe you should give her a chance.”
“You’re just saying that because you want us to like your biker guy.”
“His name is Jameson, and you’re right. I do want you to like him, but I’m not going to push. I just ask that you understand that he’s important to me.”
“So, you really like him.”
“I really do.”
“And you think he’ll be better than Dad?”
“Not better. Just different.”
Austin thought for a moment, then said, “Alright. I’ll give the guy a chance.”
“Thank you, sweetie.” I walked over and wrapped my arms around him, hugging him tight. And for the first time, in a long time, he didn’t tense up or pull away. He just let me hug him. “I love you, Austin. I love you to the moon and back.”
“Love you, too, Mom.”
I hugged him a moment longer before releasing him and taking a step back. “Is there any pizza left?”
“Yeah, it’s in the fridge.”
“You want some?”
“Nah, you go ahead. I’m gonna crash.”
“Okay. I’ll see ya in the morning.”
While I hated that he’d learned the truth about his father and Brooklyn, I felt like he and I were on the same page for the first time in a very long time, and that meant the world to me. I adored Austin, and I wanted so much for things to heal between us. I hoped that tonight was a step in the right direction.
I went into the kitchen and warmed up a slice of leftover pizza. I ate it at the sink and downed it with a tall glass of water, something I hoped would balance out the beer and shots I’d had earlier. I went to bed and slept much later than I’d intended.
We all did.
It was almost noon before we got moving, and even then, we didn’t get in a rush about it. I did some laundry and dishes, and as the day moved along, we all ended up in the living room, watching some movie the kids had been wanting to see.
I was laid back on the sofa with Chrissy at my feet, and I was piddling with my phone when Jameson’s name came up on the screen and I felt that familiar flutter in my stomach as I answered, “Hey.”
“Hey, beautiful. You recover yet?”
“Recover?”
“From your big night at the clubhouse.” I could practically hear his smirk. “Thought maybe you were still starstruck from hanging out with so many cool dudes last night.”
“You’re not going to let that go, are you?”
“Not until you admit I’m cool.”
“Not gonna happen,” I teased. “As far as last night goes, I had a great time.”
“I did, too. Not often I have such a beautiful lady at my side. The guys didn’t know what to think.”
I bit down on a smile, ignoring the way Chrissy looked over at me as I told him, “Flattery will get you nowhere.”
“That so?” he challenged, low and rough enough to send a shiver down my spine. “What if I say I want to see you? Take you for a ride?”
“As tempting as that sounds, I’m going to have to pass. I’m in full veg-out mode today. PJs, blankets, and movies with the kids.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“You’re welcome to join.”
“You sure about that?”
I glanced over at the kids, and while they weren’t exactly thrilled with the idea, they didn’t seem totally against it. So, I said, “Sure, but you need to know. I’m not changing. I might brush my teeth, but that’s about it.”
“I’d be disappointed if you did anything more.”
“You sure?” I knew he wouldn’t care, but I felt the need to prepare him. “Because it’s a mess over here. My precious daughter is currently using me as a pillow, and the living room looks like a tornado hit it.”
“My kind of veg out day.”
“Then, head on over.”
“Need me to bring anything?”
“We could use some movie snacks. You know the basics. Chocolate. Something sweet and sour and…