Total pages in book: 178
Estimated words: 170884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 170884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
“Daddy?” A.J. called out uncertainly, looking strangely at my position on the grass.
“It’s okay, bud,” I told him, panting and breathless. “I’ll see you real soon.”
Happy stood with his hands on his hips, exhaling slowly. He dipped his chin, looking down at his feet, then spoke quietly, “Could have given me a heads up.”
I could have, but I was done waiting.
Sorry.
My silence was all the apology he was going to get, and he knew it because he shook his head and walked inside. A long moment went by before I followed, but where Happy took off out into the backyard, I detoured to where my soul craved to be.
In her room.
I moved to stand in the open doorway and watched the broken woman rest against the wall, cold, unblinking. She looked like a shell of a person sitting so small where she was. All I wanted to do was go over, take her in my arms, and hold her a while.
When it all became too much and the discomfort hit me hard, I scratched at my jawline and shook my head because I wanted to apologize, but that was ludicrous.
So I held her eyes and prayed she’d hear the words unspoken.
Suddenly, she glared at me from across the room, a stray tear slipping past her guard. I felt her whispered words deep in my gut.
"I hate you."
And at that moment, she really did.
A sadness I never imagined I could feel settled its weight on my shoulders.
It was okay though.
She could never hate me as much as I hated myself.
I stepped out of her room and let her be. I’d done enough damage tonight. We’d start fresh in the morning.
Making my way out back, Happy paced deep into the yard while the little Goth watched.
“So you’re him,” she said, turning those bored eyes on me. “I didn’t expect you to be so young. I mean, you need a haircut and a shave, but I’m surprised.” She tilted her head. “How old are you?”
I was forty-one. “Old enough to know better.” Putting a finger to my nostril, I blew blood out of my nose and onto the porch. “Young enough to not give a fuck.”
“That needs to be set. Come here.” When I made no attempt to move, she rolled her eyes. “Or don’t. Whatever. Look like a troll. I don’t care.”
It did need to be set. I made the few steps over and sat in the chair at the outdoor setting. “You ever done this before?”
She put both her thumbs to the sides of my nose and pressed into my cheeks, looking unconcerned. “A time or two.” A moment before she set my nose, she uttered, “I’m Molly.”
Crack.
“Aw, fuck,” I groaned as my eyes watered uncontrollably and my nose began to bleed all over again. When she handed me tissue, I snatched them out of her hands and lifted my head to stop myself from bleeding on my tee. I couldn’t help but notice how blasé she was acting and had to say something about it. “You don’t seem so surprised to see me.”
With her back to me, she continued to watch Happy pace. She shrugged. “I was, but now I’m not.” She twisted, looking back at me. “Your son is not a liar.” When she settled her eyes on a still-pacing Happy, she let out a long, drawn out breath. “I should’ve known.” A while passed and we sat in easy silence. In the stillness of the night, Molly spoke the words I dreaded to hear. “She’s never gonna forgive you.”
Maybe not.
But I planned to make her love me again or die trying.
“You live here, yeah?” Molly nodded and I went on. “Tomorrow, you and I are gonna have words on how easily I was able to get in and out of this house and do it undetected.”
Her brow creased, but she nodded once more.
Good.
We’d deal with it tomorrow.
Tonight, I would think on how to fix everything I’d fucked up.
Chapter Eleven
Twitch
It had been twenty-four hours and Lexi had yet to leave her bedroom, which was why I dropped in. I needed to make sure she was okay.
My son hadn’t been home in this time, but Molly assured me he’d be back the next day.
For everyone’s sake, he’d better be. If he wasn’t, I was going after him, and I told her as much. No one was keeping me from him.
It was after midnight, and as I lay next to the angel who’d stolen my heart, I spoke quietly so as to not spook her.
“Lexi,” I uttered, watching her back stiffen. “Angel.” I reached out to touch her but stopped partway, balling my hand into a fist before pulling away. “We need to talk.”
I watched her hug herself. She stayed that way, her body tightly constricted, a long while. Her voice was weak and her softly spoken words bruised me all over. “Go away.”