Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
“Do you think… Oh God, you don’t think that it was a lie, or she got rid of the baby, do you?” The hunger I once had for breakfast is fading quickly.
“The truth? I don’t think she was pregnant at all. Your brother only hooked up with her a time or two that I can recall after the two split up. Don’t really see him not wrapping it up either. He was only getting started in his career. His sole focus was on his land clearing company outside of you.” I let out a sigh of relief even though she played Ledger dirtier than dirty.
“Well, judging by the mega box of condoms I found in Mont’s room, I think you’re right.” Major ick. I mean, sex is normal, but thinking about your brother in the same sentence, no thanks. “That’s so gross, if that’s the truth. Ella should be ashamed of herself.” The bitch doesn’t deserve the good fortune of a job at Sinclair Roofing, let alone the gum on the bottom of someone’s shoe.
“I’d agree with you there. Put your number in my phone and call your line.” He places his phone on the counter in front of me.
“Password?” I ask, feeling like I’ve hit pay dirt on one of those gold mining shows. Seven years later, and we’re finally getting to the place we should have been all along. God, I’m an idiot. I really need to set up an appointment with my therapist to make sure I’m navigating this relationship in a healthy manner.
“Ten-twenty-nine, butterfly, the same it’s always been.” My mouth drops open, hangs there for a moment. “Close your mouth, Tulsa Rose, or you’ll catch flies,” Ledger tells me as he sets a heaping pile of waffles, bacon, and jar of peanut butter in front of me, along with a glass of sweet tea. He knows my preference of drinks in the morning. I’d try to drink coffee here or there growing up. Even through college, I tried the liquid sludge but preferred the taste of the ice cold drink instead. Hot tea was much the same. Now, sweet tea I can definitely drink, which means it’s my caffeine of choice first thing in the morning.
“This looks great. Do you think after we eat and you take care of things you need to here, we can head to my house? My time is dwindling down, and I’d like to get through a few more rooms before starting work.” He deserves to have the letter Montgomery left him, and truthfully, I’d really appreciate him being in the same room when I read the note my brother left me.
“Yep, I’ve got no plans. The Tahoe should be there, too. I asked Hank to drop it off when he closed the bar. While you’re doing your thing, I’ll load up the donations you’ve got piled everywhere. I take it you couldn’t wait for me to help you carry them down the stairs?” He stuffs his mouth with a piece of bacon. I’m still slathering the peanut butter on a waffle, then pouring the syrup until there’s a thin coat on the top. My food choices are weird to some, but they work, and I like the flavorful combination each bite gives you.
“Nope, it had to be done. I can’t expect you to drop what you’re doing at work to carry a few boxes upstairs or lug trash bags down the stairs, which honestly, I dragged them down, so it’s not like it was hard work.” I shrug my shoulders and cut into the waffle, ready to take my first bite of Ledger’s legendary waffles.
“You’ve got my number. Use it. Nothing is more important than you. Finish eating. I’m going to hop in the shower, get changed, and then we’ll head to your place.” I nod, my own mouth full of food. He walks around the island, muscular chest flexing and pulling with each step he takes. My eyes are soaking him up. “Christ, I want to take your mouth, butterfly, but if I do, there’ll be no stopping. We’ll both be naked, and there’s something in your eyes that tells me we’ve got more to deal with.” His nose slides along mine. “Be back soon. Eat up. You’re going to need it.” I swallow. Ledger is right about a lot of things. He’s also left my core clenching, nipples pebbled, and has me wanting to follow him up the stairs.
16
LEDGER
“So, um, while cleaning out Montgomery’s things yesterday, I found something. Actually two somethings.” While I was in the shower, Tulsa finished eating, cleaned up the kitchen, and found her flip-flops by the front door. What she didn’t do was walk upstairs to join me in the shower. We loaded up in my truck, drove over here so I could help her pack the trash into the back for us to drop it off later today.