Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 68066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Fuck that.
“I’m sorry, Jackson, I hate that you feel that way. I wish there was something I could—”
“What did he say? I want to know what my father said to you.”
“That he loves you very much.”
I couldn’t tell if she was lying or not, but my sister and I hung on to her every word. As if Journey could understand and needed to hear it as much as I did.
Her stare moved all around the nursery until it landed on Journey’s bookshelf in the corner of the room.
“Your dad is hurting, and he doesn’t want you to see how bad.”
“He is?”
“Yes. He broke down.”
“In front of you?”
“Mmm hmm.”
“After he said he was hurting?”
“Sort of.”
“So, my father who’d just met you for the first time, willingly told you all this?”
“Mmm hmm.”
“Why do I feel like you’re lying?”
Our eyes connected.
“Why would I lie?”
“You tell me.”
“I am telling you. Why is it so hard for you to believe that your father loves you?”
“I don’t know, Mary Poppins, maybe cuz I haven’t seen him since my mom—”
“There you are,” Skyler interrupted. “Jackson, you’re going to be late for school. You gotta go.”
I backed away, nodding. Grabbing my backpack off the floor, I walked out of the room, taking the truth of where my mother was...
With me.
Chapter 23
<>Harley<>
Then: Twelve years old
“Baby girl, you look beautiful,” Daddy complimented me when I strolled into the livin’ room. All dolled up for the surprise anniversary party we were attendin’. He was standin’ in the entryway with his hands in his pockets, wearin’ a black suit, lookin’ all handsome.
I twirled around in a circle for him, loving the feelin’ of my dress puffin’ out at the bottom. “Thanks, Daddy. It’s new.”
I was beyond excited for the evenin’ ahead. Momma and Aunt Lily took Shiloh and me shoppin’ for the occasion, spoilin’ us like the princesses we were. We spent the whole day together, doin’ girly things like gettin’ our nails and hair done, talkin’ about all the latest drama, includin’ how much Trigger was botherin’ Shiloh these last few weeks.
With his heated looks and flirty smiles and cocky attitude.
Gossipin’ about Jackson Pierce and his wicked ways, too.
It took five different stores for me to find “the dress”, the one that fit not only my style, but my figure as well. I picked out a knee-length, light blue strapless dress with matchin’ strappy heeled sandals that I never wanted to take off.
Of course, I added my own spin to the flowy material, sewin’ a few bows and sparkles on to make it pop and stand out. I hated blendin’ in with everyone else. I had my own sense of style, and I didn’t keep up with trends.
I was a fashionista through and through, and it only got worse the older I became. One day, I’d have my own online store called Harley’s Closet. Dare to be Different.
I already knew my color scheme and logo for my social media and website. It would be a photo of me and my future furry best friend. I wanted a Wheaten Terrier, but I refused to buy one. I’d have to wait until a similar breed showed up at the shelter I still volunteered at.
Always rescue first.
“Wow, Harley. You’re gettin’ so big. Where did my baby girl go?”
My smile lit up my entire face. “I’ll always be your baby girl, Daddy.”
“I’m gonna hold you to that, sweetheart.”
This was the first time he was seein’ my dress, and to be honest, I was a little worried he’d think it was too revealin’.
It wasn’t.
This was the man who thought my knee-length shorts and skirts were always too revealin’. I assumed Momma was behind his change of heart. She knew how excited I was to be wearin’ somethin’ more young adult and not childish. I was growin’ up, and he needed to accept that.
“You look just like your momma did at your age.”
I noddin’, agreein’ with him. I loved nothin’ more than when he’d say those words to me. My momma was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. She was breathtakingly stunnin’, and I always wished I’d find a man who’d look at me the way my daddy looked at her.
As if she was the only thing that ever mattered in his whole world.
“How are you gettin’ so big?”
“That’s what happens when you feed me, silly.”
He laughed, pullin’ me into a hug.
I gazed up at him, settin’ my chin on his chest. “Daddy, do you think I’ll ever find a boy who loves me like you love Momma?”
“Not before I put him to ground, baby.”
“Creed!” Momma shouted, steppin’ into the livin’ room. “You’re horrible. Stop teasing her.”
“Who’s teasin’?”
I laughed, shakin’ my head. Daddy said what he meant and meant what he said.
Always.
This wasn’t a shock to me by any means, knowin’ all along I’d have to find a guy who’d have to make my father fall for him as well. It’d be the only way I’d ever get to have my own lobster.