Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
“How are things at Midnight?” I ask and get a rundown of issues, and thankfully, things that are going right.
I’ve been mulling over something really important, and I need to run it by my partners. I have no idea how they’ll take it, but I’ll find out soon. I clear my throat. “Hey, there’s something I need to talk to you both about.”
“What’s up?” Tristan asks.
Lucas eyes me, curiosity in his gaze.
Drawing a deep breath, I jump in. “So, you know Taylor’s pregnant.” I don’t wait for the snark. Of course they already know. “She lives in Charleston and I’m in Florida, and I don’t want to be a part-time dad.” I don’t want to move far from my family and friends either, but I’m wondering if I have a choice.
“I’m not buying you out,” Lucas mutters.
“We have a club in Charleston.” Hopefully. If the permits ever go through. “I’m considering moving here and wondering what your take is on me running that club full-time.”
Silence descends.
Shit.
“Yeah,” Tristan finally says. “If that’s what you want.”
“Agreed. You just took us off guard.” Lucas runs a hand through his hair. “I can’t imagine you not being here every day.”
I nod. “I can’t imagine it either, but I’m not sure I have a choice. I don’t think I can bear to be away from Taylor and our child.” And I wouldn’t be miserable because I’d have my family.
We haven’t discussed the future. We’ve both been avoiding the conversation, first because we were getting to know each other, and later because things with the senator were escalating. And now?
We have to face the inevitable.
The guys and I wrap up our call. I brace my hands behind my head and lean back, stretching out my back, then I glance at my watch. It’s been over an hour since I dropped Taylor off at her house, but I want to give her and Holly more time together. I change into a pair of shorts and a tank and head to the hotel gym.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Taylor
While Holly and I talk, I make a pitcher of sweet tea. We won’t be able to drink it because it will need to chill for a few hours, but I’ll be home tomorrow and I’ll have it ready in the fridge. I’m interested in everything going on with my sister, not to mention I’m sick of thinking about the sordid details of my life, so I pepper her with questions and happily listen to all she has to say.
“The house next to me is for sale,” Holly tells me as I finish steeping the black tea bags in boiling water.
I have ten or fifteen minutes to wait, so I sit down beside her at my kitchen table. Glancing outside through the door to the yard, I see a bunny rabbit sitting on the grass and I smile.
“Yeah? Maybe you’ll get a hot new neighbor?” I waggle my eyebrows and she laughs.
My sister is divorced and unluckily for her, the asshole lives in the same neighborhood with his pregnant girlfriend who he left Holly for. I call him Sir Douchebag, but I don’t want to bring him up to her now.
She tells me about upcoming summer community events where she lives. My sister loves holidays, even the upcoming Fourth of July, and she volunteers for committees no matter how busy she is with school and her own life. But she lives for Christmas.
I glance at my watch and remove the tea bags, then add the sugar, stirring. After adding cold water and a final stir to the tea, I put it in the refrigerator.
I turn to Holly. “I don’t have food to offer, but are you sure you don’t want water or tea or something?”
She shakes her head. “No, thanks. I’m good. Now let’s talk about the baby! I can’t wait to be an auntie and spoil him rotten.”
I grin because I know she will.
The doorbell rings and I glance at Holly. “I have no idea who that could be.” Neighbors don’t stop by often. The age group of my community skews to the older side. And Holly, the only one who’d come over without warning, is here with me. I doubt it’s Jack. He knows I want some sister time with Holly.
“There’s only one way to find out.” She pops up from her seat, but I grab her arm.
“Okay, but remember, Jack said don’t open the door.” We walk through the kitchen and out to the hallway leading to the entryway.
“Who is it?” Holly calls out before I can step up to the peephole and check for myself.
“Open the fucking door, Taylor.”
“Shit!” Hearing Chandler’s furious voice, the blood drains from my head and I immediately grow dizzy.
“What do we do?” my sister asks, gripping my hand.
“I don’t know.” My heart slams against my chest. “He’s supposed to be at the police station! I need to call Jack. You call 911.”