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’ll go first,” Alexis says, holding her hand out for mine.
I look her over but ignore her hand and stand. It dawns on my drunken brain what they’ve been up to this entire time. It’s going to take more than a bunch of songs to fix what she’s done.
I sit in the hot seat and fold my arms over my chest. I already know Alexis can sing. She’s an amazing songwriter as well.
Although, I haven’t been able to follow her career. I didn’t know what to look for in the credits or what albums to look through. I noticed the plaques in her apartment but was too pissed to check them out.
I shift in my seat and scowl as the music starts. I know this one well. “Love and War” by Tamar Braxton.
I can’t tell you how many times this has been drunkenly requested at the bar. Okay, I might need to eat my thoughts. Alexis can sing, but this isn’t singing. She’s showing her ass as she talks to my heart.
I don’t know if I should be proud this is my wife or pissed that she picked a song that speaks to our personal shit so well. I try not to listen to the words or allow them to penetrate, but the more I try to ignore her, the more powerfully she sings. I make the mistake of locking eyes with her and it’s over.
Our short three months as husband and wife so long ago play through my mind. I almost believe she wants to meet me on the other side of this anger. She performs before me like she’s singing from the heart.
I have to force my eyes closed to break the connection. When the song ends and her voice echoes through the room, my chest is heaving. I look around at the faces of awe, shock, and smugness—as if they’ve accomplished their goal.
“Damn,” Deacon breathes.
“You can say that again,” Luke adds.
I get pissed and stand so fast that the chair falls over. I storm over to the machine, tugging out wires until I get the one to hook up my phone to the device.
“Yo, don’t break our shit,” Pit bellows.
I get my phone hooked up and look for the song that will speak for me. I turn to them all with my finger hovering over the play button.
“You want me to talk? You want to know how I feel? You all listen and listen good. Stop playing with me. This isn’t a game to me, it’s my life,” I seethe.
I press play and “Tell It Like It Is” begins to ring out around the room. I drop the phone to the floor. Alexis turns as if she’s going to run off. I grab her by the wrist and tug her into me, then grasp the back of her neck as I look into her tear-filled eyes.
It takes a moment for her to relax into my hold. I press my forehead to hers and sway to the song. I’m tired.
I’m tired of missing her, I’m tired of being alone, tired of being so fucking angry. This is where I man up. Uncle Blake was right from the beginning.
I need to own up to my wife and marriage. If I had, this wouldn’t have happened. She would have known better.
“If you want me, don’t play with me, Lex. I’ve always loved you. If you love me, show me. Don’t play games with—”
She grabs the back of my head and tugs me down to kiss me. I take over the kiss and devour her. I almost knock us both over as I consume her.
“Welp, our job is done here. Good night,” Pit croons.
I don’t turn or tune in to hear what everyone else says. Instead, I grab Lex’s little ass and lift her onto my waist. She fits around me like a glove.
I deepen the kiss, damn near licking at her tonsils and sucking her face into my mouth. I can’t get enough. The tighter she holds on to my hair, the more I let go of my anger.
A slap breaks through our kiss. I pull away and turn to see Tak rubbing the back of his head as Jazzy glares down at him. “Come on,” she hisses.
Lex latches her mouth onto my throat and starts to suck as she grinds against me. My eyes roll into the back of my head. It’s been so long since we’ve taken our time to make love.
“Nooo,” Lex whimpers as a loud cry pierces the air.
“That’s not our kid,” I chuckle.
“Five, four, three, two…” Another cry rings out and I sigh as I place her on her feet. She smiles up at me. “You still have a lot to learn.”
“I’ll get him.”
She looks me over and makes a face. “We’ll get him.”
Chapter 35
Speak Up