Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 130102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
“Yeah?” Judge asked. When he stood, so did Jury. The blocky-headed bulldog did a quick yawn, then nudged everyone in the nuts like she always did. By now, everyone was used to it. Not that anyone liked it.
“Ain’t pussy. Just a small paintin’ job to make a little extra scratch.”
Trip’s brow dropped low. “You hurtin’ for scratch?”
“A little extra never fuckin’ hurt.”
Neither argued that and they didn’t dig any deeper.
Thank fuck.
Chapter Seven
Chelle carried two bottles of cold water toward the front of the house and shook her head when she saw her girls peeking around the corner into the room where Shawn was rolling the last coat of paint.
She sighed loud enough for both of them to hear her and they quickly straightened, knowing they were busted. When they turned with wide eyes, they giggled.
Giggled.
God, she loved the sound of that. She just wanted her daughters to be happy and healthy.
However, their giggling had to do with ogling Shawn. A man too old for either of them. Or, at least, she figured he was. She still didn’t know how old he was.
Doesn’t matter, Chelle.
But—and that was a big but—their mother had been ogling the same man. So, there was that.
That should be weird, right?
Both her daughters were old enough to date, and did so, but she never expected to be interested in the same man as them.
Yes, definitely weird.
Doesn’t matter, Chelle.
Unfortunately, her brain—and another important area—didn’t agree.
“Madison and Josephine,” she scolded as she approached them, hoping Shawn had no idea what was occurring in the foyer.
“Mom, he’s hot,” Maddie whispered.
“Yeah, like really hot,” Josie agreed. “I was too focused on Pumpkin the other day to notice.”
She bugged her eyes out at them and jabbed a finger toward the room. She mouthed, “He can hear you.”
They both elbowed each other and giggled again.
Chelle rolled her eyes and heat crept into her cheeks.
“Mom’s blushing!” Josie said way too loudly.
Chelle scowled at her. “Stop it,” she hissed.
“C’mon, Mom, don’t you think he’s hot?” Josie asked. Again, in what seemed like a deafening volume.
She pinned her lips together in a flat line, refusing to answer.
“Mom, we know you don’t date, but you need to get out there. It’s not healthy for you not to have sex.”
What?
“Yeah, you need your pipes cleaned out,” was what her seventeen-year-old daughter actually said next.
“Girls, stop!” She grimaced when it came out as a yell. “And you better not know what that means, Josie!”
“Mom, I’m seventeen, not seven. I date, remember?”
“You better not be getting your pipes cleaned out,” Chelle warned.
Maddie smothered a snort.
Chelle spun on her older daughter. “That’s not funny. Your sister better not be having sex.”
Maddie threw up her hands. “I have no idea if she’s boning any boys.”
Chelle’s mouth dropped open, air rushed out and she stared at her two girls. Both who were little girls not so long ago. With pigtails and everything. “I’m disowning you both before you give me a heart attack. Stop laughing! I’m being serious.”
“Mommmy,” Josie started and leaned into Chelle with a grin.
Chelle raised a hand. “No. None of this is funny. Just... go... elsewhere. Anywhere but here right now.” Out of hearing distance of Shawn. “We need to get this room done.” Though, Chelle wanted to disappear into the floor right now. Forget walking into that room.
He probably heard all of that, even with the radio on...
“Then can we go to Lycoming Mall? We’re supposed to meet up with Cherise and Sammie to watch a movie and grab dinner at Applebee’s.”
At least she could call her brother to confirm her girls were with their cousins and not “boning” some random boys.
Madison was twenty and now technically an adult, but still... No matter how old she was, Chelle was allowed to worry. Like it or not, until she moved out on her own, Maddie had to follow Chelle’s rules.
Ugh, she wanted to cry. When the hell did they grow up to the point where they were checking out the same man?
Or having sex?
Or having more sex than their mother?
The blood that had gathered in her face drained. She needed to schedule a sit-down with both of them again and have another discussion about safe sex. Just a reminder.
A precaution.
She also needed to remind them they could come to her about anything.
Even sex.
Oh God. Just not right now with Shawn on the other side of the wall.
“You both have school tomorrow.”
“We’ll be back before curfew,” Josie assured her.
“You don’t have any assignments pending?”
“Nope, all done,” Maddie answered. “Josie?”
“No, I did all my homework during study hall on Friday.”
“No tests to study for?” Chelle prodded. She sighed when both answered no. “Okay. Do you need money?”
Both girls got good grades and worked part-time, they deserved an evening of fun. At least they’d be with their cousins, who were within the same age range. Even better, weren’t wild and crazy.