Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
“You know how much I enjoy repeating myself, right?” I say as I make my way to the stairs, my phone in my hand, looking at the shit storm of messages and calls I’ve missed since I left the party.
As much as I hate it, I make my way to my office, avoiding the hallway leading to our bedrooms. I had her room moved next to mine after Lilith passed. I wanted her next to me, even rearranged my room so that my bed was on the same wall as hers.
I’ve often wondered how she didn’t catch on about her mother and my ‘marriage’. Sure, for the cameras, we played it up a bit, a kiss on the cheek, a hug, her squeezing my face. But, it was all in our contract. All the details of what I would and wouldn’t do.
No kissing on the mouth. No sex, of course. No hand holding. No ‘I love you’’s. No sleeping in the same bed. The list went on and on.
How did Lennie not see? I guess because I’m a grumpy asshole she must have figured all our affection was behind closed doors. It wasn’t. I had a hallway constructed that connected the main, primary bedroom suite with another bedroom where I slept. We both traveled a lot as well, so that helped. But still, as much as Lilith wanted Lennie to believe in love, what we displayed wasn’t anything like love should be and it’s another of a long list of regrets I have when it comes to how everything happened.
But, in the end, it brought Lennie to me, so I’m nothing if not a savant at damage control. Somehow, I’ll find the workaround to all the promises made and mistakes of the past.
At least, that’s what I’m telling myself as I strip off my soaked shirt and pants in my office, grab a pair of jeans and a t-shirt from the closet I keep in there and settle in behind my laptop to see just how bad things are.
My work email is inundated but there’s no one of any consequence I need to answer. My work phone is the same, Davis says he’s doing damage control.
I can always count on him. That’s why, when Lennie said she wanted to be an agent after having her work as an assistant to my assistant for a year, I paired her with Davis. He’s my partner but he lands a significant number of our biggest clients. He let her tag along, taught her what he could. I saw how hard she tried and I knew he would keep her safe. An agent she may never be, but giving her what makes her happy has given me more purpose than the rest of the years of my life put together.
There’s a text from my mom on my personal line.
Mom: I’ve seen the video. You always had a temper. I’m sure it was for a good reason. Just, if you need me, know I’m always here for you. Xoxo
Me: Yes, for very good reasons. How are you? I’m sorry I didn’t call tonight like usual, obviously things got a little hairy.
Mom: You never have to apologize to me. I love that you call me every night but it’s not like you lose son points if you don’t. I love you no matter what. I mean that. Deal with your little mess there. I’d love a visit as always. If you need to get away, my door is always open. Your room is still just like you left it!
Me: lol I’m going to pay someone to come in there when you’re not home and strip off that cowboy wallpaper and all the Harley and ZZ-top posters. It’s embarrassing, Mom. More embarrassing than me kicking the shit out of that asshole.
Mom: Will he be okay? No jail time coming for you?
Me: Naw. He’s fine. He had it coming.
Mom: As I figured. You get some rest. You looked tired on the video. Are you back on the coffee? Two cups a day is plenty, but ten? How’s Lennie? Tell her I said hello and I miss her bunches. I’ll Facetime her in the morning.
Me: She’s okay. I’ll make sure of it. Love you, Mom. (but I might love coffee more) I’ll call tomorrow.
Mom: Take care of that girl. She’s what really matters, son. We are her only family. She needs you. Love you too. Be good.
I lean back in my chair, the sound of the rain on the roof and the windows soothing. I reach into my front pocket and pull out the thumb drive that Ryan dropped. I spin it in my fingers a few times. It’s damp, so I stick it in my top drawer, lock the desk and leave the rest of the messages and this shit storm for morning.