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)
“Coop, seriously?” Billie sends her brother a disapproving look.
“What?” He frowns at her.
“Don’t be rude.”
“I’m not being rude, it’s just the truth, he has a lot of tattoos.”
“He’s not wrong, I do have a lot of tattoos,” Nico tells her, taking a huge bite of pizza.
Fighting back the laughter I feel in the back of my throat, I look over at Nalia sitting next to me at the dining table and watch her hide her smile with the crust of the pizza in her hand. I’m relieved to see her smile and so relaxed after witnessing her breakdown this afternoon. More, I’m relieved that she was able to speak with a lawyer and get some reassurance that things will be okay.
“So, Billie, Nalia was telling me that you’re performing in your high school musical,” Sophie says, and Billie looks over at Nalia with a hint of surprise then looks at Sophie.
“Yeah, we’re putting on Clue.”
“Like the board game?” Sophie asks her.
“Kind of, yeah, but it’s also funny.”
“And it’s a musical,” Coop mutters, and his sister glares at him.
“What? You sing all the time.”
“She has an amazing voice,” Nalia tells her mom softly, and Billie looks at her as she continues. “Her and her friend Cat were practicing on Sunday while they helped us with the kids and their science projects, and I was blown away by how good she is.”
“Thanks.” Billie ducks her head.
“So what role are you playing in the show?” Sophie asks her.
“Miss Scarlett.”
“That sounds like a very important role.”
“Yeah, kinda.” She shrugs, and Sophie smiles, then asks in a whisper.
“Are you the killer?”
“I can’t tell you.” Billie laughs. “You’ll have to come with Nalia and find out.”
Shit. I look over at Nalia. She looks surprised by the suggestion. I’m surprised by the suggestion.
“Have you ever ridden a four-wheeler?” Nico asks Coop, and Coop looks over at me.
“We have a couple of times, it’s been a while,” I answer for him.
“Gotta get you guys out to our place then, we have a riding trail.”
“You have four-wheelers?” Coop asks in awe.
“Yeah, and Grandma and Grandpa also have two mini horses and chickens,” Zuri tells Coop, and I see Nico and Sophie share a soft look.
“Really?” Billie perks up.
“The chickens are ours; the horses are a friend of ours. They didn’t have room for them at their place, so we’ve been keeping them,” Sophie explains.
“Are they friendly?”
“Yes, and cute,” Nalia tells her, then continues. “I’ve been trying to convince Mom that she should also get a llama and one of those cows with the long hair.”
“I love those cows!” Billie cries.
“Me too.” Zuri’s whole face lights up.
“We’re not getting a cow or a llama.” Nico shakes his head.
“Dad, look at Mom, she totally wants one,” Nalia tells Nico, and he looks over at his wife.
“Do you want a farm or to be able to travel to the beach whenever we want?”
“Oh, that’s master manipulation, Mr. Mayson.” Sophie grins, then looks at Nalia. “How about you get a cow and a llama and keep them out at our place?”
“I would, but I don’t have time to take care of animals.”
“I’ll take care of them,” Zuri says, then looks at Nalia. “Please, can we?”
“Wow, thanks, Mom,” Nalia mutters, and everyone laughs.
“Anyway,” Sophie says, “if you guys come over Sunday, you’ll be able to see the horses and chickens.”
“Sunday?” Billie looks over at me and Nalia. I haven’t had a chance to talk to the kids about Sunday since I just found out about it this afternoon, and it’s been controlled chaos since they all got home from school.
“They’re having a barbecue,” Nalia tells her.
“And pool party,” Sophie cuts in.
“And pool party,” Nalia corrects with a smile in her mom's direction before focusing back on Billie. “You kids and your dad are invited.”
“Right on.” Coop grins.
“Cool,” Billie agrees.
“We’ll have to talk to your mom since you guys are staying with her this weekend.” I remind the two of them.
“We could come home early Sunday.” Billie shrugs like it’s not a big deal. I’m not sure Kristy will feel the same since she hasn’t had any real time with the kids in a while, and I know she’s looking forward to spending time with them this weekend while Aaron is out of town for work.
“If you can make it, you’re welcome to bring a friend since most of the other kids who will be there are little.”
“Awesome, I’ll see if my best friend Cat can come.”
“Before you ask Cat, you need to talk to your mom,” I remind her.
“I’ll talk to her about it when we call her in a bit,” she agrees.
“If you can’t come this weekend, we’ll plan for another day. The pool will be open for a few more weeks, and you’re welcome to come over anytime with your friend.”
“Okay, cool,” Billie agrees before finishing the last bite of her pizza.