Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Yes, I have it bad for her.
Morning comes and I step outside to make my way next door for breakfast. I find Justice is in the driveway with Jo behind him carrying a coffee and bagel.
“Dean! I was coming to bring you breakfast.” He explains with exuberance.
“I see that,” I reply leaning over to kiss Jo softly as I take the coffee and bagel.
“You wanna ride for a bit this morning?” I ask looking over to my garage where his bike is propped on its kickstand between my two Harley’s.
“Yeah, but maybe not the crashing part.”
I chuckle taking a bite of the bagel, “falling is part of life. It’s how you pick yourself up that defines you.”
“Just remember what Dean taught you. Relax into it,” Jo encourages as Justice puts on his helmet.
“Take it slow,” I tell him as he begins to take off around the cul-de-sac. This time his confidence is there in the beginning. His legs push the pedals as his balance maintains steady. I jog beside him just to help him feel secure.
After a beat, he takes a break and I crouch down, bumping fists. “You got this.”
His eyes move to his mom, “Can we ride to the park? Braylen says his dad rides his Harley beside him to the park.”
I look to Jo unsure how she will feel about this. Yes, Smoke bought both his kids these electric bikes that are set up to look like mini motorcycles with turn signals and sounds. He does let ‘take them on rides’ to the park. Jo studies me and I shrug. We don’t get on a highway to go to the park, and we can go slow.
“You up for a ride, Dean?” Jo asks raising her eyebrows at me with a smile.
“Always,” I tell them both making my way back to my garage.
Leaving my helmet off, I get on the bike, have Jo hop on behind me and we let Justice lead the way. Justice squeals with joy while Jo gives me a comforting squeeze.
This is everything I never knew I wanted.
But I damn sure won’t let it go.
Fourteen
Josie
This is what it should have been
I’ve lost track of the days since Brett has called or attempted communication. I’m nervous today, though, as my attorney called with our next court date for division of assets.
If I’m honest, I have let myself get too comfortable. The phone call reminded me of this dread in the pit of my stomach Brett gives me.
I want to hold onto this peace. Maybe it’s because Justice is laughing more. Maybe it’s because I’m not forcing myself to smile and keep going day in and day out. Or maybe, mostly, it’s because of the man currently stretched out on my living room floor letting my son run toy cars up and down his arms as if his tattoos are part of a racetrack.
“You gonna jump in or keep supervising?” Dean teases me from the floor.
I roll my eyes, “I’m the best supervisor you’ve ever had.”
“Mom, I’m makin’ a map on Dean.”
Pushing down the thoughts and fears of Brett, I lean against the wall watching the two of them. Justice is completely at ease with Dean. It should scare me, but it doesn’t. Instead, it makes something deep inside my chest feel complete.
We spend another great weekend together. Dinner and bathtime complete, Justice is crashed hard, his head hitting the pillow and asleep before Dean finishes his book.
I stand in the doorway watching him breathe peacefully.
I didn’t know if I would have a moment like this for so long. Here it is though. Part of me wants to stay right here prolonging Dean from leaving. Once I move from this spot, it’s going to be another goodnight. He will kiss me, and I’ll sigh. We will both lay in bed apart feeling the absence of each other, all because we agreed not to let things move quickly.
I walk back to the living room where Dean is sliding on his boots.
I sigh, “you don’t have to go,” I whisper.
He looks to me raising a brow, “Jo, don’t make this harder.”
“I know. Just when you stay it’s nice.”
He stands and moves to me rubbing my arms, “babe, I don’t want to playhouse. We do this shit, I don’t want to confuse Justice. I need to know you’re ready to share your space.”
I run my hand up his chest to his neck, running my fingers over his beard. “Stay,” I murmur rolling on my tip toes to press my lips to his neck. I feel his pulse throb as I silently hope he will see I am ready to share my space, my life, my past, and my future with him.
He exhales, his fingers digging into my hips, “Jo,” his voice is strained like he’s fighting a battle.
I don’t give him the words, but I give him my action. I kiss him, slow and deep. When he finally grips my waist pulling me in tighter, I know he’s gotten the message. A quick lift off my feet, I’m in my bed, tangled in the man who makes me feel completely alive again.