Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
“He locked Zuri behind the bleachers at school. She was so scared that she passed out and had to spend the night in the hospital,” Nalia snaps.
“But he didn’t really harm her.”
“You need to leave,” I tell them before Nalia can say anything else.
“But before you go, you should know that we will be suing you and the other parents for the cost of Zuri’s medical bills and whatever therapy she might need after experiencing the kind of trauma she went through yesterday,” Nalia tells them, and I swear I hear Billie, who is standing just inside the house with the front door open giggle.
“This is so ridiculous; they’re just kids being kids.”
“No, it’s not just kids being kids or boys being boys when someone is actually hurt,” Nalia tells them before stepping up onto the porch.
“He’s going to have to go to court,” Matthew’s mom says, getting loud. I see the little bit of patience Nalia was holding onto draining out of her.
“Maybe.” She turns around and pins Matthew’s parents in place with her stare. “If you had dealt with your son accordingly, one of the dozen times he’s done something wrong, instead of avoiding actually parenting and coddling him, we wouldn’t be here.” With that parting shot, she walks into the house, saying over her shoulder, “Our lawyer will be in touch.”
Fuck, I love her.
“Come on, kids.” She loops her arm around Zuri’s shoulders, then takes Billie’s hand while Cooper glares at Matthew’s parents before he follows the girls deeper into the house. Mom follows them inside and shuts the door while Dad stays out with me.
“This is ridiculous,” Matthew’s mom hisses, turning her glare on her husband. “Why aren't you saying anything?”
He doesn’t answer, he turns and walks to their vehicle parked on the street and she sputters before she rushes after him calling out his name.
“Hopefully, Nalia put some real fear in them, and they’ll think twice before allowing their son to get away with the crap he’s pulled again,” Dad says as we watch them drive off.
“I really fucking hope so.” I pat Dad’s shoulder, then turn for the house. When we get inside, everyone is in the kitchen, standing around the island.
“I’m hungry,” Cooper informs us all, not surprising us in the least, as I walk to Zuri and wrap my arm around her shoulder.
“Are you up to going out to breakfast?” I ask her, and she looks up at me, nodding.
“Alright.” I lean down, kissing the top of her head, then let her go and look at my parents. “Do you guys wanna join us?”
“How about you guys just have some family time?” Mom suggests softly walking over to wrap her arm around me. “Dad and I will be by later to check on you guys.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah.” She leans up to kiss my cheek, then passes out hugs to everyone, taking some extra time with Zuri before Dad does the same. When they leave, I do what my mom suggested and take my family out to breakfast.
Thirty-Four
NALIA
Standing in the doorway of Logan’s house with him standing behind me, his hand wrapped around my hips, we watch my parents walk out to their car after saying goodbye. Once Dad opens Mom’s door and has waited until she is buckled in, he looks our way, lifting a hand while Mom waves at us out her window.
“Tired?” Logan asks against the side of my head as I yawn.
“Very.” It was a long day that started way too early this morning at the hospital and has been filled with all of my siblings who have stopped by at one point or another with their kids, my parents who spent most of the day with us. Even Kristy and her parents, who came by to check on Zuri before they followed Billie to the high school, to help Kristy at the concession stand, since I didn’t feel comfortable leaving Zuri so soon.
“How about we check on the kids before I get you a glass of wine and hang out in front of the TV until you pass out,” he says closing the door after my parents have driven off.
“It’s Saturday, the kids are going to want to watch a movie when Billie gets home.”
“Probably, but they’ll understand if you’re not up to it tonight.”
“It’s okay, I’ll have a Diet Coke and catch my second wind,” I assure him. “Plus, I’m hungry and want pizza.”
“I want pizza,” Cooper yells from upstairs, obviously hearing us.
“Me too,” Zuri shouts.
“See.” I laugh. “We all want pizza, and,” I look at the clock, “Billie should be home soon, and I know she’s going to be hungry.”
“Alright, I’ll order pizza.” He pulls me flush against him.
“Thank you.” I lean up and press my lips to his then rest the side of my head against his solid chest. I honestly don’t know how I would have made it through last night or today without him. His strength has kept me completely grounded even in moments where I was overwhelmed and scared out of my mind. He reminds me of my dad in those ways, just steady and sure when the world is a mess.