Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95559 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95559 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“Okay, let’s go to the one with the play palace and we’ll play for a little bit.”
Lacey jumps up and down, almost yanking my arm out of the socket. I could let go of her hand, but the irrational fear I feel weighs heavily on my chest. I’m honestly surprised Lacey hasn’t mentioned the death grip I have on her hand.
As soon as we exit the mall, I pick her up again. She doesn’t balk and rests her head on my shoulder. “I love you, Uncle Kyler.”
“I love you the most,” I tell her.
“Am I your favorite?”
Her question makes me laugh. “Of course, you are. Do you see any other nieces hanging around?”
She shakes her head and giggles. I remember the first time she laughed at something I did. She was a few months old and hearing her laugh was literally the best moment of my life. That’s when I started seeing her as a human and not some crying, pooping blob who didn’t sleep when I did.
I was still in high school when Ally came home and told mom and I she was pregnant. My mom wasn’t supportive, barely said a thing to my sister, except she needed to find a way to take care of her child. I held Ally all night while she cried. She was scared. I was too. I didn’t want my mom to kick her out of the house. When my graduation rolled around, I almost stayed home instead of going to juniors. My mentor encouraged me to leave Northport and spread my wings on the ice. Each day I was gone, I called to talk to Lacey. I never want her to think I don’t love her or can’t be there for her. When I go to the NHL, my baggage will come with me, which is another reason to stay closed off to everyone. The place I’m in with my family doesn’t allow for any outside interference. As much as I’d love to date someone—like Thea—it’ll never happen because I’ll never be able to put them first.
My mom leans into me and whispers, “I’m nervous.”
“I know,” I say as I pat her leg. I’m nervous as well. Today, we find out the fate of the mobile home park, and when everyone must move. The developers invited everyone to a meeting at some fancy posh restaurant. One would think they’d have a buffet or something, but no. If you want to eat, which everyone does because it’s dinner time, then you’re on your own to order. I took one look at the menu and told the server we’ll have coffee. A BLT here costs more than one of my textbooks. It bothers me an establishment can get away with overcharging for two slices of bread, some bacon, a tomato, and generic mayo.
An entire group of suits walk in, and I roll my eyes. They’re each carrying a briefcase instead of the much cooler messenger bags. I groan and my mom gives me the side eye. I don’t know what outcome she’s expecting, but she wrote out a speech about why she needs to live where she does and how their plans for development hurt people like her. I warned her they won’t listen or care; big corporations are all about money. The park owner sold out and didn’t care about his tenants. In fact, I think he’s already taken the money and fled town. I haven’t seen him sleazing around, looking in windows. I’ve never liked him, and I’m glad he’s gone, except for the fact my mom, niece, and sister are about to be homeless.
A suit stands and clears his throat. Not once. Not twice. But three freaking times and I can’t figure out if he’s doing it because he has something stuck or if he didn’t get the attention he wanted the first two times. When the people attending this meeting don’t quiet down, he picks up a fork and a glass of water and bangs the utensil against the glass, and yells, “Be quiet!”
What a pompous ass.
The rest of his minions settle in. One sets out stacks of papers in front of the five empty seats, while another hands out the useless information to us peons. I take it from my mom and flip through the pages—all gibberish. Nothing but plans for the development, how much the investment into Northport is costing these people, and how much it’s going to cost potential renters to lease out space for their business.
Once everyone has settled, the minions sit down next to their fearful leader. I lock eyes with the one who sits on the right and my breathing comes up short. What the fuck? One of these piece-of-shit people is none other than Thea’s boyfriend, Adam. I glare at him, hoping he will look up so I can convey my complete and utter disgust.