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)
“Why would you do that?” I walk closer to her, hand sliding inside my pocket, digging out the key and ring.
“I wasn’t sure when you’d be back. Figured I may as well, just in case.” If Tulsa weren’t projecting the hands off vibe, I’d be wrapping her in my arms and soaking in the girl who has become a woman. A lot of regrets are churning in my mind. My mother, damn her, she knew I’d feel them when Tulsa finally returned.
“I’ll take those keys from you, then.” She walks toward me, meeting me in the middle. There’s a hesitance in us. I’m feeling like I’m walking on eggshells. I’ve kept to myself, going so far as to keeping my phone number away from her in order for her not to have to deal with me. After she called me, raging, crying, sobbing in the middle of the night, it pulled at my gut. It’s why I was in my truck heading to Alabama, needing to see her, to know where her head was at and if she meant it. The smile plastered on her face told me she was healing, moving forward. Maybe I was the past holding her back. The change in phone number happened at the right time, cutting off all communication with her hurt, but it was better for her. It’s not like she couldn’t have called Flay to get my new number or look it up online. I like to call it the perfect storm. I was changing phone providers along with my number for my roofing company, Sinclair Roofing, when everything went down.
“How long are you staying?” I ask. Tulsa’s palm is up. I make it a point to brush the tips of my fingers along her skin while dropping the keys into her upturned hand.
“Not that it’s any business of yours, but I’m here to stay permanently. This is my home after all, and you’re no longer my guardian.” Her fingers tighten around the keys and keychain. I wonder if she sees what’s attached to the key.
“Good. You were never meant to stay away for a decade, butterfly.” I use the name she earned long ago, fluttering about every which way, unsure where she was going to land. It seems Tulsa Rose has finally found her wings.
“I can’t do this right now. It was good to see you, but I’ve got things to do before next week. I’ll see you around, Ledger.” I’ve got no one to blame but myself for her aloofness. Even though giving up isn’t an option, right now isn’t the time to push. I can see this is going to take a toll on her. She’s not been home in ten years. The place is still untouched, everything in its place like it was the last time she was here. If we had a better relationship, I’d walk inside with her, but since that’s not the case, I’ll take up residence out here. I already heard her tell someone she loves them on the phone. It caused an ache to settle in my chest, like one I haven’t experienced, more so than the one time a year when it’s the anniversary of Montgomery’s death. A bottle of liquor stays in my hand the entire day while I sit in our old tree fort his father built for us when were kids and I’ve maintained throughout the years.
One thing is for certain about the Williams family—when they love you, it’s deeply rooted. Like a tree that’s been planted decades and decades ago, there’s no uprooting it and letting go.
“I’ll stay here all the same, unless you want me to start unpacking your car for you?” I ask. If Tulsa could breathe fire like a dragon, she would be right about now. She looks like steam is about to blow out of her ears. “Or not.” I throw my hands in the air while moving backwards until I’m leaning against the post, one ankle crossed over the other, my arms folded over my chest. Two can play this game. In most games, there’s only one winner, but in ours, we’ll both come out on top.
“I’ve been on my own enough that I can handle this without you hovering over me. Besides, if I need anything, I know who not to call, and that’s you, Ledger.” With that, she turns on her heel, hair whipping around as she sways her hips, doing nothing for another part of my body that’s tightening—my damn cock.
“Not anymore, butterfly, not any-fucking-more,” I tell to her retreating back, a promise I’m going to keep, and you can take that to the bank.
3
TULSA ROSE
You’re doing it again, pushing him away like you did last time, and what did that do? Nothing. It did absolutely nothing even if I thought it was great idea at the time. It just sucked that when you tried to make things right, he knocked down your attempt, I think to myself. I open the screen door and slide the key inside the lock, all while the wooden screen door behind me is being held with my leg that’s bent at the knee to keep it from slamming into my ankles. A trick I’ve used since I was a kid, hurrying inside to meet curfew or when you get home after a day at school and have to pee so bad, you’re doing a dance. It’s when the lock glides to the left, and the deadbolt slides away from the heavy wooden door that I see the glimmering lights flashing like a kaleidoscope. Looking down, I see the butterfly keychain Ledger handed me. Why would he give me something that’s so memorable if he had no problem blocking me from his life? It still remains a mystery, and as much as I’d love to dissect everything that encompasses Ledger Sinclair, I do not have the time right now.