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)
“But everyone’s all right?
“As of last night, they’re all fine. I think you should give it a few weeks to settle down and then come back. Tell him the truth.”
“It’s not that simple. First, I don’t know what’s going on. What if this is all connected? Then, you didn’t see how angry he was with me. I can’t come back and say, hey, by the way, I’m having our baby.”
“Why not? He nutted in you. He’s a big boy, he knew what could happen.”
“Yeah, but remember what happened last time I came close to Vander? This has always been bigger than Thaddeus Pitman. That wasn’t him who sent that warning to Sunnyside.”
“You have a point, but there’s only one way to find out. Come into Sunnyside again. We’ll do some shopping and see what happens.”
I sit staring at the test in my hand. If there’s any way I can go back, I want to. I chew on my lip. My uncle is running for governor. Maybe I shouldn’t risk this. I know how corrupt Vander is.
I squeeze my eyes shut. “Okay, I’ll meet you in Sunnyside. Thanks, Jenny. I love you.”
“Love you more. I’m so happy for you guys. I think he still loves you. Fingers crossed this can finally be over.”
“I hope so. I’ll call you once I book my flight.”
“Cool. I need to get to work. Talk soon.”
I hang up, feeling hopeful. Putting the phone back in my purse, I hang my bag on the hook and open the test box.
“Well, here goes nothing,” I murmur.
* * *
Ox
“Hey you, what’s up?” Kid sings as she strolls into the bar.
“Hey, you just getting in?”
I’ve been downstairs squaring away today’s delivery. Things have been busy the last few weeks. I wanted to make sure the bottles I ordered came in.
“Yeah,” Kid replies and hops onto one of the barstools. “So all that shit was crazy last night. How’s Skittles and her cousin?”
“They’re good as far as I know.” I lean on my elbows and lock eyes with her. “Listen, that’s some private shit. I’d appreciate it if you forget any of it happened.”
She makes a face at me. “The insult. Like you don’t know me. Pit wouldn’t have asked me to help if he didn’t trust I’m a vault. I thought you knew me better than that.”
I shrug. “I’ve trusted people I thought I knew better than you and I’ve been wrong.”
“Okay, I’ve been quiet, but I know you have something going on. What’s that about? Talk to me.” She tilts her head to the side and studies me.
I shake my head. “Not this time. Some things need to stay buried in the past. This is one of them.”
“Oh, okay, fine, but Ox?”
I look up from the glasses I’m arranging under the bar and lift a brow. She looks me in the eyes.
“Sometimes we’re missing parts of the story. Parts that make a difference. Whatever is going on has moving parts. Make sure you have them all before you wallow in your anger and bitterness.”
I snort. “Not this time, baby girl. I know all I need to know. I’ve earned this anger and the only one bitter is the one who caused this. Next subject.”
She lifts her hands up in surrender. “Okay, this is me minding my business. If you want to talk, you know where to find me.”
She wraps her knuckles on the bar top and stands to head to the card room. I watch after her, scowling. There’s absolutely nothing I could learn about Lex that will change how I feel about what she did.
I don’t care how much she’s been on my mind.
“Fuck her,” I mutter to myself.
Chapter 15
Sunny Side Down
Alexis
A month later…
“It’s so good to see you,” Kid sings as she squeezes me and rocks me back and forth.
I pull away and look down at her. She looks good. Ven and I do tomboy shit, but when it’s time to dress up and be girly, we dress up and we’re girly-girly. Jenny is different. She pulls off tomboy in a way I don’t think many can.
“Come on, sit. I want to feed you and my niece or nephew. We don’t know what we’re having yet, do we?”
“No, not yet,” I say with a smile.
“You’re glowing,” she sings out.
“Thanks.”
We both sit and place our orders as the waitress comes over. The aroma of the food from the table next to us has my mouth watering. I didn’t realize I was so hungry until now.
“How are my cousins doing?”
She makes this weird face that gets my attention. I groan and glare at her. “Give me the truth. What’s been going on in Vander?”
She blows out a long breath. “First, everyone is okay now. Let me say that first.”
I lean into the table. “Kid,” I drag out.
“Well, Ven’s place was shot up. Ox was there with her, but neither of them was seriously hurt.”