Series: Like Us Series by Krista Ritchie
Total pages in book: 241
Estimated words: 236417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1182(@200wpm)___ 946(@250wpm)___ 788(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1182(@200wpm)___ 946(@250wpm)___ 788(@300wpm)
It drives into a place inside myself I can’t even see. “I don’t even know what that means,” I choke out, and I look away from both Lo and Sean. A mother. “No, I do.” I turn back and stare right at my dad. “It means counting down to being let out of a hospital and hobbling on crutches just so you can physically hug and wish your kid a happy birthday. It means sending over leftover meatloaf because your kid skipped dinner, but you still don’t want ‘em to go hungry. It means giving them a roof over their head when theirs is gone, for however long they need it.” I tell him, “No matter how much I wanted her to be one, Bridget was never a mother to me. Could she become one? I dunno, maybe. But as long as she’s talking to Vanessa, I want nothing to do with her.”
He’s nodding repeatedly, his eyes bloodshot. It’s sinking in, I think. “Alright, alright.” He wipes his mouth with a shaky hand. “She’ll stop talking to her. I promise. I promise. I’ll get her to stop.”
I’m not holding my breath.
Rain has let up when I jog back to Superheroes & Scones. We weren’t at the pub for much longer. Seemed like my dad was in a hurry to track down Vanessa and wring her neck. I texted Lo to listen to the recording from the wire I wore.
At least I don’t have to rehash that conversation. But next time I see my dad, I won’t be mic’d up. This was the end of me being an informant. It’s done.
It’s over.
I breathe out the deepest breath when I enter the store. Greer sees me exhaling, but he has no idea how much weight just lifted off my body. Seeing him posted outside the breakroom eases tension off me too. He kept Xander safe.
Everything’s gonna be okay, as the saying goes.
Greer whispers, “You good?”
“Yeah.” I reach under my shirt and tug off the wire. “It’s taken care of.”
He motions to the door. “He never came out. Sounds like he’s still watching the movie.” He pats my shoulder before swapping out with me. I thank him before he goes.
Xander messages me from inside the breakroom, asking if I can spare a bodyguard for Spencer. To take her home. He didn’t realize she took public transit, and he wants to make sure she gets home okay. But they don’t want to be seen in a car together.
“I’ve got Cruz Jr. on the back door,” I tell Xander when he’s in the main storefront. “He can take her home, unless you want me to drive her.” I explain how I had to call extra bodyguards for the entrance and exits. He seems cool with it, especially now that it’s helping Spencer.
“I’ll go with Cruz Jr. You can drive her.” Xander knows me better than CJ, so he trusts me more to take her home.
I’m able to coordinate with Epsilon to get Xander safely in his car while I take another security vehicle to drive Spencer to her parents’ house. After dropping her off, I’m back to the gated neighborhood and radioing in my location. Calling it a day.
I park outside of Epsilon’s mansion. Gonna walk back to the Hale House. I shut off the ignition and climb out of the SUV.
“Greer to Donnelly.” My radio crackles in my ear. “Bravo Zulu.”
Banks once told me that guys in the Navy only give out a Bravo Zulu (job well done) as highest praise. Didn’t expect to ever hear it from anyone, let alone the most senior guy on Epsilon.
Definitely didn’t expect to hear it today.
Bravo Zulu.
With more pep in my step, I smile and go home to Luna.
DONNELLY’S DAILY PLANNER
SUNDAY, APRIL 21ST
Today’s Focus: date the girl, love the girl, you know what to do.
To Do:
Regular Sunday afternoon protecting X.
Date night! Ballet in NYC with your gf.
Celebrate Tom’s 21st b-day afterward. Clubbing??
Let the good times roll.
+ tell gf about my past with sex. Time has come.
Notes: Another Fizzle event in the books. MLB x Fizzle Collab got off on a weird foot with the bat boy being handsy towards Luna. Xander told me to step in. (Best wingman. Facts.) Also, it confirmed I wasn’t hallucinating. I swooped in so fast, I coulda been the Eagles mascot. Flirted hard-core with my girlfriend on home plate. Kissed her. Twirled her around. Nothing could top it. Not even rubbing elbows with a few baseball legends.
Fav event so far.
Before the MLB collab, a Kitsulletti baby graced the earth. Seven Kitsuwon Meadows. Dope ass name imo. Born on the 7th of April. Healthy baby, healthy mom, two happy dads. Media is rabid for newborn pics. Triad are holing up in their new apartment above Studio 9. Don’t blame ‘em.
Penthouse = uninhabitable. They’re demoing four walls? Idk.