Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Jeff has offered plenty of times to let me in on one of his new ventures or to front me some start-up cash. I love him for it, but I could never. With my grandfather, he’d only be giving me money out of my trust I don’t have access to yet.
I’ll gain full access after a few stipulations I’m nowhere near ready for. When I do cross those finish lines, I’ll be set for life.
For most of the ride, Skittles falls silent as if she’s thinking. I feel bad after a while and try to come up with something to talk about to bring life back into the vehicle. The tight space has become suffocating.
“You still planning that trip to Cancun? I’m looking forward to some Flyboarding. Have you talked to Lex? Is she still thinking of going?”
That does it. A huge smile comes to her lips. I love the way she is with her cousins. Lex and Shawna mean the world to her. She’ll talk about them for hours.
She said Shawna was at the funeral, although Lex wasn’t able to make it. However, I don’t remember much from that day other than committing to a tat that hurt like hell. The shit we do for this woman.
“Yeah, I have a great place I’m looking at. It will fit us all. I talked to Lex before you called.
“She’s thinking about coming, but she’s crazy busy. It seems like everyone’s busy for the weekend I was thinking of. Unfortunately, Shawna won’t be around. She’ll be traveling for an internship.
“Deacon is like you, all in, but Pit said he’s heading out of town that weekend. Luke has a fight he’s training for, and Tak’s in the middle of writing a new album.”
“You see, I told you I’m the only one you need. Why do you continue to cling to those other assholes?” I croon, making her smile more.
She turns to look at me and sticks her tongue out. I shoot her a wink. She laughs that crazy laugh I love. My day has turned for the better just from being in her presence.
“Lex will love you.”
“I’ll be glad to finally put a face to the name. Too bad I still haven’t met Shawna. She sounds nice.”
“Too nice for you. I’m almost nervous to put you two in the same room.”
I place a hand over my chest. “Me? I’m harmless. Besides, you know I’m not going to fuck over your family. You’ve told me how shy she is.”
While Shawna is the shy one, Lex seems more outgoing. Lex had a harder life than Skittles and Shawna. From what I gather, her father had a drug problem. At least, that’s what Skittles has been told.
Being who I am, I know a little more about her Uncle Lester and the real reason the mayor may not want that connection known. However, those aren’t my secrets to tell. I do often wonder how much Lex knows.
I believe the distance she’s creating that Skittles has been so upset about is because she knows a lot more than Mayven. Shawna, on the other hand, is a sweet college student. As Mayven tells it, she’s the most sensitive of the three.
My thoughts are broken into as the ringing of Mayven’s phone fills the car speakers. The name Shawnnie appears on the screen. Skittles picks up and answers.
“Hey, Shawnnie,” she sings the way she always does when her little cousin calls.
“Hey, Ven,” she says almost sadly.
I suck in a breath as my groin tightens at the sound of her voice. It’s like soft liquid smoke. Not too deep and heavy, but not high pitched either. It’s the right blend of the in-between.
“What’s wrong?” Skittles asks, seemingly picking up on the same sadness I overhear.
“I feel so out of place. We went to the pool today to lounge around. I thought I looked cute. I wore the black two-piece you convinced me to buy.”
“Okay, you look great in that suit. What’s the problem?”
“You know Amy and Skylar are almost a foot shorter than me. They make me look so much taller when I walk with them.”
“Who the fuck cares? You’re gorgeous, hon. Inside and out.”
“Yeah, but when we got to the pool, this guy said, ‘Damn, get rid of the tall, fat one and you guys are welcome to join us. Drinks on me.’ then he snickered like he told some funny-ass joke,” she replies, mocking the guy’s voice.
“And you should have told him his mom will be a better man than he’ll ever be,” I bite out without thinking.
I should keep my mouth shut. This sounds kind of personal. Skittles didn’t get to tell her I was in the car. I’m just so fucking pissed.
Even though I don’t remember seeing her, Skittles has told me her curves run on both sides of her family. I’m assuming Shawna has a body like Skittles, and in that case, she’s hot as fuck. Thick and tall, she’s probably gorgeous.