Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 75916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“Rent.” His eyes lit up. “I’m finally part of the cast.”
“Congrats.” I thumped his shoulder.
“I’ll leave you a couple of tickets once the show goes live.”
“Awesome. I have a friend who would love to see it.” I made a mental note to bring it up with Craig. “Let me know if you want me to brew you some tea instead—for your throat.”
“Thanks,” he said just as he was approached by a couple of fans, if the stars in their eyes were any indication. Tommy was also a big flirt and probably racked up even more tips when he worked the room, singing to customers, and sometimes playfully sitting on laps.
And I was just as guilty when I pretended to enjoy dancing with Jesse upstairs. It was all a show, so I shouldn’t fault Jesse for being so animated and demonstrative. So why do I?
I vowed to be friendlier and not let him rub me the wrong way. No pun intended. Christ. No need to start that line of thinking. I had plenty of eye candy right in front of me. Like the guy who’d been observing me from the corner since he arrived about an hour ago. Nothing wrong with flirting even if it would go nowhere.
The rest of the night was smooth sailing, especially since Andy, the barback assisting me, was pretty responsive to whatever we needed behind the scenes. One time I had to send him upstairs to ask for more orange juice, but that wasn’t uncommon. We weren’t as stocked down here.
I could only hear the rowdiness upstairs in between sets of Tommy’s songs or when the door opened to let someone else inside the cave. At least that was what it felt like sometimes down here. I liked being in the cave, but it still kicked my ass, and by the time I got home, I was beat.
I was surprised to see the light on in the living room when I headed upstairs to the kitchen to get something to quench my thirst. Normally Bree headed to bed early after she got Hailey settled in her room. She’d watch some television or read, so when I saw her on the couch with Hailey in her lap, an alarm bell sounded off.
“What’s going on?” I asked, noticing how exhausted both of them looked.
“She has a fever,” Bree explained in a whisper. “I’m afraid it might be another ear infection.”
“Shit,” I replied, not only because it was a bummer when Hailey wasn’t feeling well, but because the pediatrician said she’d need surgery for ear tubes if the infections continued. Bree didn’t have the best health insurance through her cashier job at the Dollar Store, and it was a burden she didn’t need right now. Especially since Mark was on the road again and wouldn’t be home until next weekend.
I sat down beside her and rubbed Hailey’s back. When she didn’t respond, I knew she was feeling miserable.
“Here, let me take her,” I said. “You get some sleep.”
“No, I—” Bree protested even as I spotted the gratefulness in her eyes.
“Just go.” I reached for my niece to pull her onto my lap, and she came willingly, laying her sleepy head on my chest.
Bree swayed a bit when she stood, dead on her feet. “Thank you. Just a couple of hours.”
I shook my head. “You work in the morning; you need more than that. I’ve got her.”
She bit her lip, no doubt thinking about her schedule for tomorrow. She was only allowed so many sick days, and the day care where she took Hailey wouldn’t let her stay if she showed up sick. Not that Bree would want her to, but sometimes it was a hair-trigger decision for parents, especially with kids who were frequently sick.
“I gave her Motrin. But tomorrow she might need—”
“I can take her to the pediatrician and get a prescription filled.”
She placed her hand on my shoulder. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
I sighed. This was one of those times when I wished Mark were around on a more regular basis to help Bree out. But I also knew that he got paid decent money based on how many loads he could transport across state lines, and they couldn’t survive on Bree’s cashier job alone.
Once I heard her bedroom door shut, I lay down on the couch, cradling Hailey in my arms. She blinked open her eyes. “Unca Dame?”
“Yeah, sweetie. I heard you weren’t feeling well.” She nodded around a yawn. “How about we get a cool washcloth for your head, and then I’ll lie with you until you fall asleep?”
“Will you wead the bunny wabbit book?” she asked, excitement trying to rally in her voice, even though she’d probably fall asleep in seconds.
“Of course.”
I kissed her head and then did what was needed, thoughts of my job long forgotten. This right here was what mattered most.