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)
“Hold on. I need you to tell me exactly what happened. This doesn’t sound like what the caseworker or Achilles said.”
“The nanny knows Achilles. He’s been helping out while I’ve been away. The kids know him.
“Apparently, once the kids were in bed, Jeff arrived with the party. Achilles said he tried to tell him it wasn’t a good time, but Jeff insisted it was all right with me.
“I had spoken to him. He’d asked if he could introduce me to a friend of his. I said sure. I did not tell him to have a party in my place,” I bite out.
“Okay, good. This wasn’t your party. Essentially, he forced his way in and brought people into your home. The alcohol and nude women were all brought into the house without your knowledge, right?”
“My driver pulled into the garage at the same time the caseworker pulled up. I came in through the garage door to the kitchen while she entered through the front door. We saw that shit unfolding at the same exact time.
“And the children were all upstairs?”
“Yeah. You have to fix this.”
“I’m going to take care of this, Josh. The caseworker may have put in her recommendation, but you still get a chance to refute the report. Lucky for us, the psychologist and ad litem are in favor of the children remaining with you.
“They will have to stay at Marie’s house for a bit, but the foundation is better than them going into the system. All isn’t lost. I’m more concerned with Roger Davis.
“While I’ll get you guardianship, he’s going to block the adoption. Any idea why he’s so adamantly against you when he clearly doesn’t want them?”
“You don’t want the answer to that.”
She looks me over for a moment as if she can see into my thoughts. I don’t give a fuck about Roger. As long as I get the kids back in my home, I’ll deal with the rest as it comes.
“Blake told me about your grandfather’s offer.”
“That’s the last thing I can focus on right now.”
“I can help if you want. I know a lot of nice young women who would love to get to know you.”
“Or I could take someone’s wife,” I tease and grin.
“There is that. You’d have your pick there.” She laughs, but I see she’s not going to let this go.
I thought coming home would allow me to follow through for those kids. All that has happened since I’ve been back has been anger and frustration. I feel like I’m letting everyone down. The kids, Skittles, Shawna. Skittles’s words from the other night come back to me.
I asked. I asked the one person who can help me. Pit is helping in the only way any of you can. I’m doing the best I can, Josh, I really am.
I work my jaw and clench my fists. She would believe that. I’ve never shown Skittles who I am, so she has a problem and she doesn’t know to come to me.
Shawna.
“I see your thoughts. This isn’t big enough for you to walk away from what you’ve always wanted. I can fix the situation with the kids. As for your pappoús’s request, I think it’s good for you,” Zoe says, interrupting my thoughts.
“You’re smart, attractive, and successful. You shouldn’t have a problem finding someone. I know what your godfather and grandfather want for you, but this city will demand your soul. You have an out, take it,” she adds.
“I couldn’t find a genuine relationship before I became a freak show and I had all those things.”
“How are you a freak show?”
I begin to unbutton my shirt and move across the room. Zoe lifts a brow at me. I stop before her and flip my shirttails back.
“Look at me. My leg is worse.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“I don’t see the joke.”
“Josh, I’ve seen your leg. Honey, you can hardly see the damaged skin. It isn’t as consistent in color in the trauma locations, but the textural differences are hardly noticeable.
“I can honestly tell you this is all in your head at this point. Besides, someone could set your nonos on fire tonight and I would still love that man and would remain by his side. Love sees no scars. The right person will fall for your heart,” she says.
“And I’m to find that person in a year? When he said it, it sounded so easy. I lost myself in the hope he gave me.
“Now as reality hits, Zo, I haven’t dated in years. I’m not always the nicest person to be around. What if he’s asked me to do this because he knows I’ll fail?”
“Sometimes, we allow our fear to talk us out of things. I think this is what’s happening. For eight years, I’ve spent a lot of time getting to know you.
“You’re a very charming young man. The mayor’s daughter is a lovely young woman. Have you thought about her?”