Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“Plan for...?”
“Getting this thing with Londyn sorted.”
“Don’t really have a plan, but I’m going to go over to her folks' place and talk to her.”
He glanced down at my empty glass as he asked, “You sure that’s a good idea?”
“Got no choice... I don’t know when she’s planning to head back.”
“Then call Rooster or Torch and have them drive you over.”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “I can do that.”
“And don’t lose your cool. You gotta play this...”
“I’ve got it, Dad.”
“I know you do.” He gave me another pat, then said, “Go get your girl.”
“Gonna do my best.”
I sent Rooster a text, then headed outside to wait for him. I felt like a bottle of nerves as I paced up and down the sidewalk. I couldn’t stop thinking about Londyn and the way she looked at me before she walked out. Something was there. I knew it in my gut. This was my one and only chance to make things right, to make her understand why I’d done the things I’d done.
I was thinking about what I would say to her when the sound of Rooster's pickup pulled me from my thoughts. A smirk crossed his face as he said, “Your carriage awaits.”
“Appreciate you coming, brother.”
“Anytime.”
I climbed inside and closed the door, then Rooster hammered down on the accelerator, squealing tires as we took off towards Londyn's parents' house. He had the windows down, letting the wind whip around us both as he drove. Sadly, I couldn't enjoy it. I was too focused on the conversation I needed to have with Londyn.
When we pulled up, I spotted two cars in the drive and hoped one of them was Londyn’s. I took a deep breath, then opened the door. Before I got out, Rooster gave me a chin lift and said, “You got this, brother.”
“Let’s hope so.”
I closed the door and made my way to the front porch. I knocked and immediately heard footsteps as they approached the door. It flew open, and Dalton greeted me with a big smile. “I know you.”
“Hey, Dalton. How’s it going?”
“Okay.” His smile faltered as he told me, “Cici had to go home.”
“Oh?” I had no idea what he was talking about, but I just went with it. “Well, maybe she’ll come back soon.”
He shook his head. “We ‘weave tomorrow.”
“Dalton!” Londyn called out. “Who’s at the door?”
Before he could answer, she stumbled into the room with one heel still on her foot and the other in her hand. Her jaw dropped when she saw me standing in the doorway. “Malcomb... what are you doing here?”
“We have a conversation to finish.”
“I’m sorry, but now isn’t a good time.” She stepped over to Dalton and ran her hand over the top of his head as she said, “Why don’t you go up to your room and finish packing?”
“But I don’t wanna go.”
“I know, sweetie, but we need to leave early in the morning. I’ve got work on Monday.”
It was clear Dalton was her kid. Maybe it was the familiar whitish-blond hair or the lopsided grin, but I couldn’t stop myself from asking, “Hey, Dalton. How old are you?”
“Fw-ore.”
“Go, Dalton,” she pushed. “I’ll be up in a minute to help.”
“Ugh,” he grumbled as he turned and started walking away. “See ya la-er, Mal-come.”
Once I was certain he was gone, I crossed my arms and asked, “So, he’s four, huh?”
“He is.”
“And he’s yours?”
“I know what you’re getting at, but this isn’t the time or the place.”
“Hold up.” I could feel the anger rising in my gut as I pushed, “Are you saying he’s mine?”
I felt like my world was shattering at my feet. I loved Londyn. I couldn’t believe that she would keep my son from me. The thought had me feeling a tumultuous mix of anger, sadness, and confusion, leaving me questioning not only Londyn's actions but the trust I’d placed in our relationship.
Sensing that I was about to lose it, she stepped out onto the porch and closed the door behind her. Her cheeks were flushed as she explained, “I tried to tell you so many times.”
“And when was that?” I roared.
“I was going to tell you that day, but I didn’t want to interrupt your good time with Candace.” She crossed her arms as she sassed, “And all those times I came to the clubhouse but got turned away because you didn’t want to see me. Or how about the letters? Did you even bother to read them?”
The knowledge that we had a four-year-old son, a piece of our shared existence that had been hidden from me, was like a dagger to the heart. The fact that I’d had a part to play in this information being kept from me made it hurt that much more, but I wasn’t about to let her know that. I wasn’t a fool. There were other ways she could’ve gotten the news to me.