Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92547 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92547 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“You should come to The Lodge with us!”
The Lodge was a local bar and grille that sometimes had live music.
“What’s going on there?” I asked.
“Daddy’s performing with his friends.”
“Performing?” I turned to him in surprise. “What am I missing?”
Evan rubbed the back of his neck. “Once a month they have an open mic night. A few of the guys and I put together a little makeshift band a while ago. I sing and play the guitar.”
“You’re that good?”
“Well, you did challenge me to learn guitar in a week way back when. While I wasn’t very good at the time, I decided to continue learning. So, yeah.” He shrugged. “I’m okay.”
“He’s more than okay. He’s great!” Effie shouted.
Evan singing? Yes, please!
My skin tingled. “Effie, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“I hope you’re still feeling that way by the end of it.” Evan laughed.
“Why do you say that?”
“You’ll have to find out.” He winked.
Chapter 22
* * *
EVAN
It shouldn’t have surprised me to see the bright pink note on the refrigerator when I got up to make coffee the next morning.
Take Effie bra shopping.
I should’ve woken her ass up to give her a piece of my mind. Damn you, Chloe.
I’d known a reciprocal challenge was coming for me. That’s how it always worked. But for some reason, I hadn’t anticipated it so soon, and I hadn’t expected this. I would have to face the fact that my little girl wasn’t a baby anymore, but I was hoping for a little more time.
Effie wandered into the kitchen. “What’s wrong, Daddy?”
I crinkled the paper and stuffed it into my back pocket. “Nothing, baby.”
“You were looking down at something like you were mad.”
Feigning a smile, I shook my head. “Nope. All is good.”
If I was going to do this, I’d take full credit for it and surprise Effie this afternoon when I picked her up.
Sure enough, later that day, I instantly became Father of the Year when I announced during the car ride home from school that I would take Effie bra shopping. She practically cried tears of joy, never imagining I’d change my mind so fast.
Of course, she wanted to go to a store that was an hour away. She said it was the one “all her friends” had gone to, and it specialized in women’s lingerie.
I sighed and gave in. There weren’t many options here in Dry River anyway.
When we arrived, the exterior of the building was painted pink. Of course it was. I felt like a creep walking into the place.
An attendant approached me the second we entered. “Can I help you, sir?”
“Yeah. You can save me from this entire experience,” I muttered.
“Don’t even look at him,” my smartass daughter told her. “He’s clueless.”
I cleared my throat. “She wants a bra. Not sure what you even call bras for little girls who don’t really need them yet.”
“They’re called bras.” She laughed. “But training bra is probably a better term.”
“Clearly, I’m the one who’s in training here. As my daughter pointed out, I have no idea what I’m doing when it comes to this stuff, so I’d appreciate you helping her find one.”
“I’ve got you covered.” The woman winked at me. “No need to stress.” She put her hands on Effie’s shoulders and led her to a corner of the store.
As I stood in a sea of underwear, bras, and lingerie, I typed out a text to Chloe.
I want you to know that because of you, I’m currently standing next to a mannequin wearing a thong.
The three dots moved around as she responded.
Chloe: You’re wearing the thong? Kinky.
Evan: She’s wearing it. Well, maybe it’s a she. It has no head. But it has breasts, unlike my daughter who doesn’t need a goddamn bra yet.
Chloe: Proud of you for going.
Evan: Did you expect otherwise?
Chloe: I wasn’t sure about this one!
Evan: You had to choose this, of all things…
Chloe: An eye for an eye. You hit me right in the jugular sending me to see my father. I had to pick something I knew would rival it.
Evan: You certainly achieved that.
Chloe: Why are you texting me if you’re supposed to be helping her pick out a bra?
Evan: I don’t have to do anything but stand here, thankfully. The attendant took over.
Chloe: Lucky you!
Evan: Yeah. Lucky me.
Chloe: LOL
Evan: Want anything while I’m here? Like a bra for you, since you seemed not to have one on when we were having wine the other night…
Chloe: Did that bother you?
Evan: Far from it.
What the fuck am I doing admitting that?
Chloe: I did catch you looking at me.
Evan: Was I supposed to ignore it?
Chloe: I don’t wear a bra to bed, so if you ask me to have late-night drinks, I’m gonna get comfy.
Evan: So now I can’t invite you to have wine in the living room without you thinking I want to look at your boobs. Great.