Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 85342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“There is no whamming and bamming,” Michael says, walking over to start his green smoothie. I watch him put a bunch of green veggies in the blender.
Jillian, on the other hand, makes her coffee and comes to sit beside me. “Your shirt is on backward.” I point at her shirt, and she laughs, ignoring me.
“Did Auntie Juju make you pancakes?” she asks them, and I get up.
“Okay, I’m going to get going,” I announce, walking to the sink and putting my empty mug in the sink.
“What do you mean you’re going to get going?” Michael shouts over the blender.
“Well, you’re home, so I’m going to not be here,” I say, and his eyebrows squint together.
“It’s Sunday,” he reminds me. “It’s family lunch.” I roll my eyes. Their family lunches consist of a minimum of fifty or even sixty people, depending on who is in town, and it’s just food on top of food.
“I don’t have to be there every Sunday,” I say as he stops the blender and pours his chunky-ass green stuff into a glass. “I don’t even know how you drink that.”
“It’s healthy,” he says, taking a gulp of his drink. “If you don’t come today, my father is just going to call you to make sure that I didn’t upset you.” I nod my head. “And then you will f—” He starts to say the word when Jillian clears her throat. “Then you will mess with me and get me in trouble.”
“Aren’t you like almost thirty?” I shake my head. “How can you get in trouble?”
“You’re coming,” he says, turning and walking to grab a pan. “Who wants an egg white omelet?”
“I think I’ll save my appetite for lunch.” I grab my mug back out from the sink and walk over to grab another cup of coffee. “I’m going to have to borrow something to wear.” I look over at Jillian, who rolls her eyes, because when I say borrow, I mean take forever or until I’m done with it.
Walking back upstairs, I go into her closet and grab a pair of blue jeans and a top. “This will work,” I say to myself as I head back into the spare bedroom to make the bed and get ready. When I put on the jeans, they are a loose fit and both knees have holes. I bend over and roll the bottom a bit before I slip on the black tank top with the built-in bra that pushes the girls up just enough that it’s sexy. I grab my white, button-down, long-sleeve crop sweater. Putting it on, I push the sleeves up to my elbows.
When I exit the bedroom, Michael walks out of his bedroom with Bailey and Bianca dressed both the same with their hair done. “Where did you get that outfit?” he asks, and I laugh.
“Your wife’s closet.” I laugh at him while Jillian comes out wearing jeans and a white sleeveless shirt.
“Whose house is lunch at?” Jillian ignores the look Michael gives her as she walks down the stairs.
“My uncle Matthew,” Michael replies, and when it’s time to get in the car, I decide to follow them in mine so I can get out whenever I get a chance.
The cars are piled up in the driveway, and I park two houses away. I walk into the house and hear the commotion already. Kids are running everywhere. “Hey, Auntie Julia,” Maddox says, coming over and giving me a side hug. Maddox is Alex, Michael’s sister who is also one of my best friends, and Dylan’s son.
“Did you grow?” I ask him, kissing his head, and he smirks at me just like Max does. He might be adopted, but he’s the stamp of the men who are now his family.
We walk in, and I see Allison right away, with Max not too far from her side. “There she is.” Max smiles, walking to me. When Jillian found out she was pregnant, it was a shock, more so to her than to anyone else. But then we found out who Michael was, and the connection that he was my father’s favorite player made a bond between Max and me. From day one, when I asked him for a hug that very first time I met him, he’s treated me like I’m his daughter. “You look nice.” He gives me a hug while he kisses my head. “I don’t like the top.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “Leave her alone, will you?” Allison scolds. “How is she supposed to find someone when you want her to dress like a nun?” I kiss Allison on the cheek.
“It’s called being a mystery,” Max retorts, and I can’t help but laugh.
“She needs to be with a man longer than six months for her to even think about a future,” Jillian states, entering the room.