Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
“She’s home for a weekend visit,” Mam replied, her attention going to Zara as she ran a hand over her hair. “Your aunt really wanted to see you sing, too, but she couldn’t make the earlier train.”
“Let’s get out of here,” Dad put in. “Geoff Thompson looks like he wants to bend my ear about an investment opportunity, and I’d rather—” he paused, realising Zara was listening before he finished, “not.”
I took it Geoff Thompson was the grey-haired bloke in the navy blazer who kept shooting eager glances at my dad.
“That’s Sammy Thompson’s granddad,” Zara said before giggling, “His moustache reminds me of an old goat.”
I chuckled and threw my arm around her small shoulders, bending down to murmur, “Don’t let him hear you say that.”
Zara giggled some more while Mam began nudging everyone in the direction of the exit. A few minutes later, we were packed into the car once again. A hint of Shannon’s perfume lingered as she sat on the opposite side by the window, Zara between us. Fuck, I’d really missed that perfume. I was half tempted to buy a bottle, spritz some on my pillow, and pretend she still slept next to me at night. But no, that would be far too obsessive, even for me.
At the restaurant, we were seated at a booth. Zara wanted to sit next to my dad so that he could teach her some card tricks. She slotted herself in between my parents, so it was just Shannon and me on the other side. I made sure to give her space. When we were still married, I might’ve slid in close, our sides pressed together, the warmth of her body a promise of what would happen later when we got home. I wished to go back in time, back to that place where she looked at me with pure love and affection instead of the careful wariness that painted her features now. It gutted me to be honest, but it was worse because it was my own selfish actions that put the wariness there in the first place.
She took off her coat again, folding it neatly and placing it between us before picking up the menu. She studied the specials while Zara grinned at some joke my dad made. I couldn’t stop sneaking glances at Shannon. It was just overwhelming to be with her in person. She didn’t update her social media very often, so it wasn’t like I could look at pictures and cyber stalk her like the pathetic man I was, thirsty for any crumbs of information about her life.
According to Mam, Shannon worked a lot, took care of Zara, and occasionally went out to dinner with her friends. But she wasn’t with her all the time. There could be a boyfriend Mam didn’t know about. Shannon had been somewhat cagey back at the school when I questioned if she was seeing anyone.
The thought of her with anyone else was like a knife through the heart. Though the logical part of my brain knew it was going to happen sooner or later.
“Hey, everyone! So sorry I’m late. My taxi got stuck in traffic on the way here from the station.” My sister appeared, windswept and flushed, unwrapping a long scarf from around her neck.
“Aunt Frannie,” Zara exclaimed.
“Hello, Zarzar,” she replied, giving her a hug before her gaze fell on me.
“Well, would you look who it is.”
I slid from the booth and wrapped my arms around her. It had been months since I’d seen my sister, and she looked well, her light brown hair was way longer than when last I’d seen her.
“Good to see you, bro. Wow, you’re looking fantastic.” She patted my stomach. “Are those actual abs?”
“I’ve always had abs,” I proclaimed, and she chuckled.
“If you say so.”
My eyes met Shannon’s. She’d been observing our exchange, but her gaze quickly flicked back down to the menu.
“Shannon, come give me a hug,” Fran said, and my ex shuffled from the booth to hug my sister. I noticed her say something low in Shannon’s ear, but the only part I really caught was, “You okay?”
Man, did everyone see me as some sort of villain for turning up without warning? The truth was I’d been yearning to come home for months. I was sick of the road, sick of sleeping on buses or in soulless hotel rooms. I just wanted to be with my family.
Shannon slid back into the booth, and I let Fran sit next to her since she probably didn’t want me that close. I was prepared to honour whatever boundaries she needed—within reason.
“So, where are you staying while you’re home?” Fran asked.
“He’s staying with us,” Mam told her.
Fran’s eyebrows jumped. “In your old bedroom?” I nodded, and she looked to Mam. “I guess it’s a good thing you didn’t turn it into a craft room after all.”