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)
“Yeah, I’m good. Thanks for letting me crash at your place last night. I’ll catch up with you later,” I say as I go to step out of Jeff’s SUV.
“Josh?”
“Yeah.”
“You don’t have to do this on your own. I know my family isn’t where it used to be, but I’m here to help if you need me.”
“Some things you have to do on your own. I feel like this is one of them.”
“Then what are you doing here?”
I shrug. “She helps me to think. What she’s done in the last eight months is amazing. I can stand to be around that.”
“Must be nice having Daddy’s money to pull it all off,” he mumbles.
I frown. “She didn’t use his money. She’s a lot smarter than you think.”
“Does she feel the same way about you?”
“I don’t give a shit if she does.”
“I’m just asking. I’ve never heard her say much about you the way you talk about her. I don’t think she sees you the same.”
“Jeff, I’m here to be her friend, not get her into my bed. She can think what she wants about me. I like having her around,” I say and close the door on whatever else he plans to say.
I’ve come to the one place I know will allow me to get my head on straight. Skittles’s apartment. She’s renting this place until her shop opens and gets going.
I’m a bit peeved with Jeff. I thought he was finally getting used to the fact that I’ve bonded with Skittles and the Assholes. I guess two months away has placed us at square one all over again.
I pull out my phone and go to dial Skittles to let her know I’m here. However, instead of making a call, my phone rings. I purse my lips and pick up the call.
“Hello.”
“Joshua, get into the car. It’s time you come see me. We have a lot to discuss.”
“Blake, this isn’t a good time.”
“Sure it is. Your father has blocked you from your grandfather and cut you off. I have your options and a line that will reach Basil.”
“Motherfucker,” I say under my breath. I turn and look across the street. Sure enough, there’s a black car with one of Blake’s guys standing outside of it. “Does this have to happen now? I need a minute to think.”
“You need to remember who you are. Ulysses needs you, not the other way around, like he’s made it seem. Your mother would want me to step in. Come to me. We’re here to help.”
I sigh, turning to look back at the building once more. My shoulders sag. A few drinks and laughs will have to wait.
“I’m on my way.”
“Good.”
* * *
I sit in the private room at one of Blake Knight’s establishments. It’s an art gallery. The one run by his longtime girlfriend, Zoe Gataki. Interestingly enough, this is only a hobby of hers.
I take a sip of water and look down at the text that just came in from Skittles. I love her concern for me. I grow annoyed as I think of Jeff’s words about her.
Skittles: Are you all right? Call me when you get a sec.
Suddenly, the air is sucked out of the room. I hold my breath as I look up to see Zoe Gataki walk in like the boss she is. The white skirt suit she has on makes a statement against her olive-brown skin. The tight white skirt says, yeah, I’ve still got it.
The suit jacket with its wide lapels screams Cruella de Vil confidence. Her short silky androgens haircut that’s pushed back off her face reminds me she told me her mother is Black while her father was from Greece.
I stand before she reaches the table. “Hey, Zoe,” I croon as I pull her in for a hug.
Zoe Gataki is smart and gorgeous. She’s a full-time attorney and runs this place on the side. Her father was big shit here in Bridge Lake and Vander back in the day. Zoe came from an affair he had with an attorney on his payroll. However, he never treated her like his illegitimate child. He raised her and his other daughter right alongside each other.
Rumor has it her husband Atlas Novack lost his life beating on her. I’m still not clear on when she and Blake started things, before or after she was widowed.
“Look at how gorgeous you are,” she says as she squeezes my face. “Come, Blake is waiting for you. You boys have grown up so fast. I don’t know what to do with either of you.”
“How is Achilles?”
“He is here. Éla tha íthele na se dei. Aftós kai o Bléik periménoun sto grafeío mou,” she says in Greek.
I smile. I wasn’t expecting Achilles to be here, but I’d love to see him too. He was a good kid and had become a friend. I follow her to her office, where Blake and Achilles are waiting.