Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 85725 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85725 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
“Do you hear that?! He’s just out there spreading diseases all around! Isn’t that a crime, too?! Spreading herpes! I know he has herpes! I know that’s the type of shit a pathetic, disgusting, dumpster diver like you has!”
My jaw drops in tandem with the bag in my possession.
“Arrest him!” She dramatically flails. “Arrest him for trespassing! And identify theft! Oh, and fraud! Oh! Oh! And lying about living there!”
“I do fucking live here!”
“What did I say about language?” the cop I know I’ve had a run in with prior hisses. “Do I need to-”
“Officer Green,” Charles’s voice unexpectedly interrupts from my side. “Officer Hurst.”
Tone and demeanor instantly change for both at the same time they greet in tandem. “Lieutenant.”
“Oh, thank goodness,” Gwenith dramatically praises, hand thrown over her chest. “Back up has arrived.”
She really is just bat shit delusional, isn’t she?
“Mrs. Prescott,” he politely acknowledges prior to tipping his head toward the man lingering closer to his SUV, “Mr. Prescott.”
The weaselly fuck who has barely said a word nods in return.
Charles redirects his attention to the men in uniform. “I see the domestic dispute situation isn’t deescalating.” He folds his hands firmly in front of him. “How can I assist?”
“By arresting that thing next to you!” She shrieks, finger back to pointing at me. “He’s a criminal!”
“He’s not a thing!” my girlfriend’s voice unexpectedly shouts back, joining the conversation. “And he’s not a goddamn criminal!”
“Stop covering for that bum!” Gwenith bitterly commands. “We all know you’re just using him because you’re so lonely.”
“No, you’re lonely, that’s why you’re always making up bullshit about everyone in the neighborhood!”
“Jaye Jenkins,” Charles calmly but firmly states at his daughter, “you are not to say another word. Am I clear?”
To no surprise, she presses her lips together, indicating she’s obeying his command.
“Mrs. Prescott, it would be best for the situation at hand if you would refrain from making any further accusations without due cause. From my understanding, the original dispute began in the house between you and Mr. Prescott, is that correct, officers?”
Green takes the initiative to answer. “She is claiming that the cause of their fighting is because the man beside you-”
“Mr. Cox,” Charles informs, not only showing me respect, but wordlessly demanding that they do the same.
That they acknowledge I have rights.
That I’m human.
Fuck, is this where Jaye gets her compassion from?
“Is because Mr. Cox,” Green immediately corrects, “framed her husband by trespassing into their yard to hide the affair he is having on what I now know is your daughter, Little Jaye Jenkins.”
“I swear to God I would never-”
His hand lifts to silence me causing my mouth to clamp closed like my girlfriend’s.
“She is also accusing him of trespassing on her property to steal credit card statements, which he then used to buy his supposed mistress a number of items,” Hurst informs the rest of the allegations.
“I see,” Charles quietly states prior to taking a moment of silence for thought. “Is there anything you would like to add, Mr. Prescott?” His eyebrows lift in an accusatory nature. “Or perhaps dispute? Is there anything you might like to say or explain to your wife in the presence of the law outside of a court? A court in which you will be put under oath. A court in which lawyers will dig further into the depths of your whereabouts in both business and personal aspects.”
His eyes widen in fear.
Why do I get the feeling an affair is the least of the fucked up shit he’s into?
“I told Gwenith I wanted a divorce, and sh-sh-she just fucking lost it.”
“Edward!”
“She started throwing shit and screaming and honestly, I’m kinda afraid for my life.”
“He tried to hit me!” Gwenith immediately squeaks, switching sides. “Right before you got here! He even tried to come after me with a knife!”
“I did not, Gwenith!”
“He did! He’s a monster!”
“You’re the fucking monster, you bitch!”
Seeing the situation back to where it belongs prompts Charles to kick his chin towards the front door for the two of us to make a stealthy exit.
The second we’re settled back inside our house, I thoughtlessly grunt, “Your dad’s a really good fucking detective.”
“Yeah, it made shit like trying to hide the fact you ate the last double stuffed Oreo practically impossible.” We share a small snicker together that’s followed by her winding her arms tightly around me. “You okay?”
Instinct indicates to hug her back, yet the niggling brought on by Gwenith’s bitterness has me quietly investigating, “Is that the real reason you invited me in?”
She shifts her gaze up to mine.
“Because you were lonely? Was all that shit about wanting a friend and someone to talk to just…I don’t know…a lie?” Irritation builds in the pit of my stomach. “Just some shit you said so I’d stick around, and you wouldn’t have to be in this big ass house all alone anymore?”