Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“It’s fine. We were up. Brynlee thought it was time to party at five this morning and the little bugger is still going strong.” I can hear the love he has for his daughter in his tone.
“Bring her over. I’ll watch her while you all catch up on sleep.”
“I might take you up on that, but we won’t be sleeping. Well, not the whole time.” He laughs.
“Dude, she’s my sister.”
“She’s your cousin,” he counters. “And she’s my wife.”
“Fair enough, but she’s more like a sister than a cousin.”
“Still not apologizing for wanting… adult time with my wife.”
I think about Jordyn and smile. “Yeah, don’t expect you to. I was giving you shit. Anyway, have we heard anything from the PI?”
“Nothing, man. These things take time. He’ll find something, or she’ll slip up and we’ll get something on her. Trust me, it can take months.”
“I don’t have months,” I mutter.
“Why? Did something happen? Is Jordyn unsafe?”
“I don’t have months to start my life with her, Deacon. I’ve spent two years loving her from thousands of miles away. I’m ready for this shit to be over, and for her to be home. Here with me.”
“I know, brother,” he says. “We’re working on it. I talk to him every few days. Just hang in there.”
“Easier said than done. She slipped away for the weekend. Her parents think she’s in Birmingham, but she’s getting ready to leave, and I fucking hate that I don’t know when I’m going to see her again.”
“What can I do, Ry?”
“Nothing, man. Nothing you’re not already doing. Thanks for listening, and if you hear anything, please call me right away.”
“You know it, man.”
“Give that baby girl of yours a hug from her uncle Ry.”
“Will do.”
I end the call, laying my phone on the island, and get to work scrambling some eggs and popping some bread into the toaster. This is my last breakfast with my girl, for I don’t know how long, and no matter how much I hate this, I can’t let her see that. She’s beating herself up enough about leaving how she did. The guilt still sits heavily on her shoulders. I need her to stay present so that we can both survive this bump in the road.
That’s all it is. A bump, one that we’re going to get past and starting forever together soon enough.
“Text me when you make it to the mall, and again when you get home. If you can,” I add, because I know she might not be able to do it as soon as she gets home.
“I will.” Jordyn wraps her arms around my waist and holds me tightly.
I do the same, resting my chin on top of her head. “You tell me when and where, baby. I’ll be there.”
“I’ll get something worked out and let you know during our calls.”
“The weather is supposed to be shitty this week,” I say, inwardly cursing mother nature. “Your walks in the park might not be an everyday thing like we’re used to.”
“I’ll figure something out. I know I’ll need to hear your voice, even if it’s just a quick hello.”
“I love you.” My words are soft as I try to mask the pain of letting her go.
“I love you too. I’ll see you soon.” She pulls away, and I have no choice but to let her. I live for the day that she’s no longer so close yet so far away from me.
I stand still as she climbs into the car and slowly backs out of my garage. She waves before pulling out onto the street and driving away. I smack at the button on the wall and the garage door whines as it closes. Stalking back into the house, I plop down on the couch and close my eyes. I’m exhausted, but the sleepless night was worth it. Time with her is worth everything.
Checking to make sure that the ringer is turned on and on the loudest setting on my phone, I clutch it against my chest, and let sleep claim me.
My phone rings and I jump, almost dropping it. I rush to swipe the screen. “Hello.”
“Bro, were you sleeping?” Rushton asks.
“Yep.”
“It’s like two in the afternoon.”
“And your point?”
“Long night?”
“Something like that.” I don’t have the energy to explain that I was too afraid to miss a second with her.
“You coming to Mom and Dad’s for Sunday dinner?”
“Not sure. I didn’t sleep at all last night.”
“Come on, it’s free food. Besides, Caden misses his uncle Ry.”
“Does he?” I ask, chuckling. “You all hide behind your kids.”
“It works, brother,” he says smugly. “Just wait until you have one of your own. You’re going to do the same thing.”
“So, what’s this really about?”
“We’re worried about you. The twins sent a message to the group text that Jordyn was at your place Friday night and staying until today. Is she still there?”