Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 71289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
I followed the two sandwiches up with a Ziploc bag of barbeque chips and a banana.
“Will you grab me a bag out of there?” I asked Ridley.
Ridley grabbed a Walmart sack out of the cabinet where we kept them and tossed it at me.
It went about half the distance it should’ve gone, meaning it fell at my feet.
I sighed and picked it up off the floor and stood up to find Ridley holding the banana in one hand with a Sharpie in the other.
“What are you writing on that?” I asked warningly.
Ridley grinned and tossed the banana into the bag, which I immediately took out and read.
“Seriously?” I asked him.
He shrugged.
“I don’t see the big deal,” he said.
“You put this banana to shame,” I read the banana. “You think that’s acceptable to put on a man’s banana?”
We both paused for long seconds before we both burst out laughing.
Shoving the banana in the bag with the chips, sandwiches, and thermos of milk, I tied it shut and held it out just as Apple came rushing in.
“It’s time,” Apple agreed, shrugging on a fresh shirt. “And you need to tell that jackwad Jake not to call anymore or I’ll kick his fucking ass.”
I snorted.
Calling Jake a ‘jackwad’ was an understatement. I would classify him more as a rodent. Or a roach.
I was seriously tired of answering the man’s phone calls. The more he called, the less polite I was.
If he called me today, let’s just say that I wouldn’t be responsible for what I did.
“I’ll handle it,” Ridley promised.
“Thanks, baby,” Apple said as he took the sack from my hand.
With a quick peck on my lips, he exited the kitchen through the garage.
Short seconds later I heard the roar of his engine rumble to life, and then he was gone.
“What’s he got going today?” Ridley questioned as he started to make his own lunch.
He grabbed the leftover steak and potatoes from yesterday’s dinner and tucked it under his arm.
“Something about a presentation at the wildlife refuge,” I told him. “And he has to meet his superior in Longview for lunch.”
He stopped, eyebrows rising.
“And who’s staying with you?” He demanded.
I grinned.
“I’m staying by myself!” I grinned excitedly.
His eyes became wary, and then he looked to the video monitors we’d just canceled the service for yesterday, and then back to me.
“Are you sure that’s wise?” He asked warily.
I nodded.
“It is,” I agreed. “It’s time.”
It’d been three months and some change since I’d stopped my medication completely and not one single time had I had a seizure.
Not. Freaking. Once.
And I’d never in my life been more ecstatic.
Well, kind of.
Last week, Emily had mastered the art of sitting up all by herself, and I had to say, that was a pretty exciting day in the Drew/Walker household.
“I won’t be able to come check on you today. I will be busy all day,” Ridley glared.
My brows rose.
“Hot date?” I asked him teasingly.
I knew he had a crush on the cute little nurse that we’d met at the hospital those few short months ago, but he’d been really secretive about it.
“Not exactly,” he hedged. “I’ll discuss it with you and Apple when I get home,” his lips thinned. “Give that kid to me so I can give her a kiss.”
I handed her over, watching with happiness in my eyes as he gave her a sloppy wet kiss that she thought was the best thing in the entire world.
She giggled a deep belly laugh that was like tinkling bells to my ears, and then passed her back to me.
“Be good,” he narrowed his eyes. “And, swear to God, you get into trouble today, I’m never forgiving you.”
I snorted.
“Yes, dad.”
He pointed at me with a stiffened finger.
“Careful, kid.”
I raised my hands in a haunted fashion.
“I’m shaking in my boots.”
***
I sat on the couch, stunned.
“You’re…joking, right?” I asked my brother who’d just dropped a fucking bombshell on us.
He blinked, and then shook his head.
“No. Not kidding,” he said. “Our brother’s a fucking dumbass, and I have to fix this.”
I was shaking my head before he’d even finished.
“You don’t have to fix a goddamned thing that that stupid man has done,” I hissed. “He’s no one to us. No one.”
Ridley’s lips tightened.
“It’s not just about Connor,” he murmured softly. Taking a deep breath, he released it and then glanced at Apple before turning back to me. “This has everything to do with the stupid mother fucker, Hanson Coller.”
The name Hanson Coller sent ice through my veins.
“Apple,” I interrupted. “Can you give me a few minutes with Ridley alone?”
Apple glanced at me, then to Ridley, before nodding.
“Yeah,” he agreed. “I’ll give you a few. I’ll get Emily ready for bed.”
With that he was gone, and I was left staring at my brother.
“You’re going to put your foot into it, and it’s going to backfire on not just you, but that nurse you’re trying to hide that you’re seeing,” I said softly.