Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
I burst into laughter as the hook of the song starts. Yeah, he’s talking to his wife all right. This is my brother and his wife personified.
In fact, they are talking to each other and everyone else. These two were made for each other. They both have two sides. The one that makes you comfortable and the one that warns you not to play with that comfort.
We all cheer them on as they perform the song. This is more like Skittles, who she is with close friends and family. Alexis and I fall into each other when she starts to perform Remy’s verse.
Pit wraps an arm around her as he looks down into her eyes, swaying her to the hook as he mouths the words. That’s going to be a hard act to follow.
Tak and Jazzy try, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark. They each do one of Tak’s songs. It’s clear they’re having a conversation with each other. I just don’t think any of the rest of us get what they are trying to say.
Rome and Scarlett are next. They do one song. It’s cute, but I think my drunken mind reads more into it as they sing “Lucky” by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. I shake the thought away as they part ways and sit back down.
“I guess that means we’re next,” Shawna says to Kelex shyly.
She stands and moves to stand before everyone. Shawna is a pretty woman, tall and curvy and gorgeous in every way—inside and out. Although she seems to be extremely shy.
So for the next five minutes, I’m totally blown away. First, I take in the leather fingerless gloves. Then I note the black bodysuit and knee-high, heeled boots. It all seems more like Skittles, but hell, if Shawna doesn’t flip a switch and own it all.
“This isn’t really for you, Kelex. It’s for me, something this house taught me as you guys allowed me to come here and heal. Thanks,” she says with her head slightly bent.
The music to Miley Cyrus’s “Flowers” starts and Shawna transforms before our eyes. My chest fills with pride. I saw what that motherfucker Danny did to her. I bob my head and want to fist-pump for her.
“Yeah,” Skittles cheers and fist-pumps as tears roll down her cheeks.
Alexis sits on the edge of her seat as she watches her cousin. I don’t know if she knows what’s been going on here, but as I watch the side of her face, I think she gets how huge this is.
I look to Kelex and his eyes are filled with lust as he watches on, looking just as proud as I feel. Shawna gets so lost in the song she starts to rock her hips and shimmy as she sings. She kicks out like a rock star and turns to rock her ass back and forth. I think Josh is going to come out of his seat.
“That’s my girl,” Skittles coos proudly.
Shawna throws her upper body back at the end and pipes out the end note like a superstar. We all get to our feet and cheer for her. I felt that shit. We all just watched a woman find a piece of herself.
“You got that shit right, baby girl. Next motherfucker better know you’re a privilege, not a right,” Pit croons as he tugs her into a hug.
“Just been waiting for her to get it,” Kelex murmurs. “Now it’s my turn.”
I look this dude over in his smoke jacket and wonder what he’s up to. Whatever it is should be entertaining. Josh had a promising entertainment career before the accident.
He sits Shawna in the hot seat and takes the mic. Then he points to Skittles to start the song. When Bruno Mars, Anderson Paak, & Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open” starts, I sit back and grin. This is going to be a good one.
Just as I thought, Josh puts on a show. Opening his jacket, he flips it back and starts to sing to Shawna like she’s the only one in the room. What many people don’t know is that Josh can sing.
Almost every mouth in the room is hanging open. This is the cocky motherfucker I know from before that race. Shawna sits all dreamy-eyed.
When Josh tugs her from the chair and starts to dance her around the small space, I know she’s a goner. I do believe I see her convulse in his hold.
“All right now, Josh,” Skittles calls as he hits a high note and drops to one knee. “Get it, boy.”
“You better sing,” Alexis calls.
The other women chime in. I stick my fingers in my mouth and release a whistle. This has been more fun than I was expecting. I’m glad I didn’t leave.
Kelex ends his turn and walks Shawna back to her seat, looking at her like he’s ready to eat her up. And then it’s our turn.