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)
When the impatient one starts talking, I focus on Adam. And for the first time in my life, I wish I was some stupid superhero. I’d burn him with my laser eyes and strangle him with my extra-long arms.
The suit continues to talk. I pick up bits and pieces but am having a hard time tearing my attention away from Adam and the woman sitting next to him. They’re oblivious to the people in front of them and how we can see them holding hands under the table. Surely they must know everyone across from them can see when Adam slips his hand between her legs. Now, not only do I want to maim this motherfucker because he works for the company responsible for displacing my family, but this douche is cheating on Thea.
I do what the suit did and clear my throat loudly, until the man stops talking. “May I help you?” His tone has bite. It’s snarky and condescending. He thinks I’m beneath him because I’m on this side of the room and not his.
“Nah,” I say, shaking my head. “I’m just trying to make sure Adam there sees me.” I wink and nod toward his hand. Adam doesn’t flinch. The suit looks at his protégé, shrugs, and continues to babble on about new sewer pipes and water lines. And still, after being called out in front of a room full of people, this piece-of-crap douchebag continues to touch the woman next to him.
As soon as I lift my phone, he stops, ruining every bit of joy I was about to bring to myself. It’s probably a good thing because I don’t want to hurt Thea, but I’ll gladly tell her brother. There’s no way in hell Jude will allow this shit to go on.
I try to pay attention, but the monotonous dribble coming out of this guy’s mouth is boring me. I raise my hand and wait for acknowledgement. When it comes, I ask, “At what point in this packet are you going to get to the crux of the matter?”
“Which is?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” I say in disbelief. “Do you think all these people are here to listen to you talk about what kind of lighting you’re going to use in your parking lot? You’re displacing people. They’re losing their homes so you can build some strip mall full of nail salons.”
“And you’d rather, I what?” he asks. Before I can even form a response, he starts talking again. “Own a run down, filthy mobile home park, with dirt roads and dilapidated homes? This space is prime real estate and I fully intend to earn my money back. Now I’m sorry if you don’t agree with my business plan or if you think I’m going to put other people’s needs before those of my business. I made each person in the park a generous offer. Some took it, others didn’t. Maybe they thought they could call my bluff, but I assure you, I’m as straightforward as the next person,” he pauses and looks around the room. “If you’re here because you think you’re going to get another dime out of me with some sob story, think again. The offer I made months ago has an expiration date on it. The bulldozer breaks ground in a few months. I suggest you stop at the store on your way home and get some boxes.”
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from lashing out. Glancing at my mom, her head is down, and I know, without confirmation, she’s ignored this man’s offer. “I’m leaving,” I tell her through gritted teeth. “I have practice.”
There is zero satisfaction from standing up in the middle of this meeting and pushing my chair forward because the carpet muffles everything. I storm out of there, slamming doors as I go. And, as luck would have it, my car doesn’t start on the first or second try. I slam my hands against the steering wheel and scream out. I want a fucking redo on the family pool. I don’t deserve to have all of this shit put on my shoulders. I just want to play hockey and go pro. That’s the life I want.
Finally, my car starts. I put it into drive and start to pull my foot off the break, only to stop. It seems Adam followed me or decided to use my distraction to excuse himself from the meeting. He and his play toy are kissing their way to their car. I put my car in park and get out.
“Hey, you fucking piece of shit! What is Thea going to think when she finds out you’re cheating on her?”
Adam turns, puts his finger up to this plaything and walks over to my car. I get out, ready to beat the shit out of this punk. He keeps his hands in his pockets and looks ever-so smug. “It’s like this,” he says. “I have money.” Adam shrugs. “You don’t. Do you really think someone like Thea is going to believe you over me? Her boyfriend of four years?” He shakes his head. “Tell her, see what happens.” He’s so cocky, he winks before he turns around. I think about going after him—pounding him into the ground, until my future pops into my mind and I realize—he’s not worth my career.