Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89465 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89465 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Who cares that Chase and Emily got back together? Horrible people belong together. At least neither one of them are ruining other people’s lives.
Instead of following my gut and placing an application with Walker for the bar waitress position he has available, I pull out my phone and search for childcare companies that do the leg work and connect you with families looking for a nanny.
By the time I’ve completed the application online, I’ve almost convinced myself that it’s less about Cale and Cole, and kids in general who make me happy. I’m not going to get rich working as a nanny but an in-home position gets me out of Lindell, and that’s exactly what I need.
I feel resolute and empowered by the time I head back to my parents’ house.
“You look like you’re feeling better,” Mom says when I make it into the kitchen.
Regretfully, my parents saw and no doubt listened to the whispered details of the interactions Chase and I were having. As open as my family has always been about sex, I still get flushed when I see them. Those words were meant for Adalynn’s ears alone. It wasn’t something my mother should’ve heard, and worse yet, my father.
“I am,” I lie because I’m still fully in the fake-it-until-you-make-it camp. Hell, I’ll probably live there for the foreseeable future. Might as well buy a couple of fake flamingos for festive decorations.
“I wanted to—”
“I’ve applied online for live-in nanny positions in the city, so I’ll be out of your hair soon,” I interrupt because the last thing I need is advice or worse yet, more Lindell gossip. “I’ll be able to save all most all of my income so I’ll be able to pay you back quicker.”
Mom frowns, but she doesn’t immediately speak. It feels like all those instances when I was a teen where she stayed quiet, giving me a chance to back out of a fib I told.
I stand taller, swallowing hard as she looks at me.
“Plus,” I continue. “I have an outstanding invoice out, and once that’s paid, I can get you at least half of it.”
“We aren’t concerned about the money, Madison.”
“I appreciate that, but I plan to pay you back, nonetheless.”
They drained their savings, and they did so without complaint. My solid-as-a-rock parents didn’t even blink an eye when I needed help. They were there and supportive, and their frequent advice on how to handle my life was just the added extras they sprinkled on top.
“I’m going to nap,” I say before she can start on a long tirade about living with other people and how dangerous it is.
She has to know that living with someone the family knows ended up being the most dangerous choice I’ve ever made.
I don’t know what I’ll do if Chase doesn’t pay his invoice. If he’s back with his ex, then I’d think it would be in his best interest to just take care of it. Why would he want reminders sitting around about the time we shared?
Before I crawl under the covers in my bedroom, I send a payment reminder, fully considering the possibility of hiring a lawyer if he doesn’t pay.
Why shouldn’t I be a thorn in his side?
Chapter 35
Chase
A lot of people would consider me a celebrity. There were times that my face and jersey number were on the cover of magazines more than world leaders and tech billionaires.
I’ve traveled the world many times over. I’ve seen some things. I was betrayed by my ex-wife and ex-best friend at the same time. There isn’t much that surprises me.
Madison having the damn nerve, after selling our story to the tabloids, to send me another invoice reminder, however, has left me with my mouth hanging open.
Going to her and telling her she’s lost her mind, that I’d never pay that invoice after what she did to me, is my first instinct, but I know seeing her would cause more problems than I already have. It’s bad enough I can’t get her off my mind at night despite what she has done. The boys haven’t stopped asking about her. They beg relentlessly to go to their papaw’s house, but I know it’s because they’re hoping to see her next door. They complain that I don’t make their PB&J sandwiches the way she did. I don’t sing the cleanup song the way she did.
Everything is Madison this and Madison that. I’d tell them that she hurt us, that she shared private things, but I can’t bring myself to bad mouth her to my boys.
Instead of heading left at the fork in the road toward her parents’ house to track her down, I go right, my energy laser focused.
I know I’m going to catch shit from Barrett when I show up in his office, but I feel like this is the only way to solve the problem.