Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49006 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49006 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
I am or was that girl, the one who chased after someone I shouldn’t have. He was a lion in sheep’s clothing, a boy trapped in a man’s body, and dear old daddy trained him to be the person he is today, using others as a stepping stone to get ahead, and I was completely blindsided the entire time. It added fuel to my already deflated self-confidence, and faking it till you make it only goes so far. After the catastrophe that came with Chad Miller and his father, Harris Miller, I changed careers, jumped ship, and went in a completely different direction.
“Ready for the big day?” Dad comes around the corner, meeting me in the kitchen, a to-go cup of coffee in his hand from one of my newly acquired favorites in Oak View. I was out looking for a job when I happened upon Oak & Brew. Sadly, they weren’t hiring, and in hindsight, that’s probably a good thing since I’ve become addicted to their iced cinnamon brown sugar latte. I’d have one every single day if it weren’t for the fact that I’ve been jobless up until today.
“As ready as I’ll ever be. Thank you for this.” I lift the drink to my lips and take the first sip. It’s heavenly per usual. I go as far as closing my eyes and humming when the flavor hits my senses. Through it all, Dad remains silent, allowing me to have my moment. He’s used to my nonsense, especially because while I might take after my dad with my dark features, I definitely lean on having my mom’s personality.
“Proud of you, sweetheart. You’ve been dealt a shit hand, and instead of falling flat on your face, you came up swinging.” Dad doesn’t hold much back; this time, he has, and maybe that’s because Mom calmed him down, or maybe because he witnessed firsthand that I truly am okay even with the hell I’ve been through.
“Thanks, Dad,” I reply, swallowing the lump that builds in the back of my throat. I take another sip, this time to calm the riot of emotions and nerves that are bubbling inside me before finally changing the subject. “Feel like dropping me off?” I ask, moving in for a hug while keeping the offered drink in my hand. I’d initially balked at the idea of having one of my parents taking me to my first official day on the job, but it’d be silly to leave my car in an employee parking lot for who knows how long.
When I landed in Oak View, I gave myself a week to lick my wounds, get my affairs in order, and look for a local job so I could stand on my own two feet. It took me point two seconds to realize even though where my parents live is considered a bigger town than the next one over, it still meant making little to nothing, and with my credit cards needing payments on the regular, I had to look elsewhere. A slew of online searches later and looking at every available option out there, I landed on the gig I’m about to embark on today.
The idea of traveling seemed like a great idea. Finding a place of my own would be pretty pointless, because I’d be in an airplane or hotel most of the time as a flight attendant. Not like they’d ever come out and say it, but I did notice little things here and there. This way, though, I wouldn’t be a thorn in my parents’ sides and cramping their house or lifestyle.
Mom seemed to feel like she needed to either entertain or feed me simultaneously all day every day. Meanwhile, Dad didn’t sit still for a minute once I walked through the door. He asked questions then looked over my car I purchased to get around town once I came back, kicking the tires, checking the fluids, and staying in the garage more and more. They never once said they wanted their space back, yet I knew. I’d been out on my own for years, and they’d lived together alone for just as many. Sure, I lived with Chad the chode, and we did check in with one another when we had plans. But we were still able to come and go as we pleased, which I’m noticing my parents aren’t doing, at least not without asking if I want to go, if I need anything, or letting me know when they’ll be back.
“Thank god you came to your senses.” Dad takes a relieved breath. He’s clearly been holding this in while trying not to bug me about making what he thinks is the right decision.
“Only took me two minutes after you suggested the idea. I just like to keep you on your toes.” I lift to my toes and place a kiss on his salt-and-pepper bearded cheek. He lets out a low chuckle.