Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 61082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Abigail smiles even wider, while I look at him, shocked at how he’s speaking to me. Where has Joey gone? The one who looked at me with devotion. Who gave me a bubble bath when I needed one? In his place is a man I don’t even recognize.
“Let me get my coat.” Abigail’s running up the stairs as I make my way over to him.
“Don’t take her there,” I demand.
“Do you think you can tell me what to do?” He laughs.
“Please don’t take her there. No matter how mad you are at me, don’t take her there.”
Abigail comes down the stairs and goes straight out the door, not even stopping to say anything to me.
Joey lingers.
“I’ll be gone by morning,” I tell him.
“If you must.” He shrugs before he walks out, shutting the door behind him. As soon as he’s gone, I run up the stairs and start packing. Jerome wakes, and I manage to throw on a dress from the pile on the floor before I go over to him.
“Is it still nighttime?”
“It is… go back to sleep.”
“Why are you up?”
“We’re going to go to a hotel. Doesn’t that sound fun?”
“But I like it here,” he complains, rubbing his eyes. I brush the hair away from his face.
“I know, baby, but a hotel is where I need to be right now.”
“Okay, let me help you.” He gets out of bed, and I smile to keep from crying. If I ever did anything right in this life, it’s him. Solely him. He starts to pack his bag, and I do the same, throwing everything in and carrying it downstairs. When we get to the steps, the front door opens, and Joey is there. Abigail’s not with him. He pauses, glances at me, then continues into the house, not saying a word.
“Come on, buddy,” I whisper, walking out the front door.
Jerome yawns as the Uber I called pulls up, and I settle him into his booster seat before I get in and look back at the house.
Joey is standing there, a drink in hand, watching me.
I look away first as we pull away.
I’ve ruined us.
I have to accept that.
I did this, and that’s okay because I would do it again if needed.
I will not apologize for wanting my son back.
We pull up to a hotel, and I check us in and then order room service. Jerome eats ice cream before he passes out again.
And I stay awake all night.
Wondering what my next move is.
Can we meet tomorrow?
I read the text from Sailor but don’t reply. She knows? Or if she doesn’t yet, she will. Joey tells his brother everything. And this is going to be a topic of conversation I will need to have soon.
He knows where you are, just so you are aware.
Of course, he does. Joey knows everything. Turning my phone off, I lie down and dream of a life where we are free.
A life where no one controls anyone.
What a life.
Pity, it’s not mine.
Yet.
TWELVE
JOEY
“Do you plan to see her?” Sailor asks.
“I do.”
“Well, it’s been a week now, and she isn’t answering my calls,” she says as we sit down for dinner. Everyone is here. Piper watches as Lucas shakes his head. “I invited her for dinner.”
My mother grins before she gets up and heads to the kitchen—she’s always liked Adora.
“She won’t come,” I tell her as I reach for the glass in front of me. She left, and she made her point. And even though I had a hand in it, I didn’t think she would, but I should have known better. She never does what’s expected.
“She will.” Sailor smiles like she knows something the rest of us don’t. The doorbell rings, and everyone goes quiet. Sailor stands and walks quickly to answer the door. I hear soft voices as we all sit silently, waiting to see if it’s Adora.
She wouldn’t, would she?
“Look who decided to join us,” Sailor announces, leaning down and smiling at Jerome. “I have a little girl around your age. Her name is Wren. She’s making spaghetti right now with her nona. Want to join them?” Jerome holds on to his mother’s hand, and my mother walks out holding Wren’s. Mother takes one look at Adora, then immediately walks over and hugs her before she bends down and introduces herself to Jerome. He goes with them, leaving Adora standing there by herself.
“Sit. I’m hungry,” Keir tells her.
Adora looks around the table to the only free seat, which just so happens to be right next to me. I can see the fight in her eyes as she decides whether or not to come closer.
“Sit,” Keir says again. And this time, she does move, and I pull the seat out for her with one hand.
“Thanks,” she whispers as she sits.
Chanel is the first to break the silence. “The bookstore,” she says. “I miss it so much.”