Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 68515 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68515 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
I left that hanging in the air.
But I definitely didn’t miss that nearly all of the women seemed to slump in response.
“Damn,” Iris grumbled.
“Double damn,” Banger grumbled too.
“Bram’s been hiding some shit,” one of the men grunted. “Time he may need to have a talk with us.”
“Shine,” Jeremiah growled. “It’s time you let this Mimi thing go and open your eyes to the fact that everything isn’t what it appears.”
There was a small pause and then, “What are you talking about?”
Shine looked positively outraged.
“I’m talking about the fact that none of you notice the fear in her eyes when she’s in a crowd, even when that crowd is supposed to be family. None of you notice how she’s fuckin’ terrified to eat, either. How every time in the whole time that she’s been in Bram’s life, none of you have made a single attempt to bridge the gap that you wedged there. Grow up,” Jeremiah growled.
I had a feeling that that would go over as well as a turd in a punch bowl.
But Shine surprised me by saying, “How about you tell us what’s going on?”
“Don’t be lazy,” Jeremiah said. “Make an effort with her. It’ll go a long way, I assure you.”
Just before Shine could refute what Jeremiah said, a car pulled up into the campground, and none other than Erich got out.
Jeremiah growled low under his breath as he said, “God fucking dammit.”
I bit my lip to keep the amusement in check, which Jeremiah saw but didn’t comment on.
Erich sauntered over as if he had every reason to be there. Then had the nerve to smile at Jeremiah.
“Jeremiah,” he drawled. “Y’all having a party that I don’t know about?”
I watched Jeremiah clench and unclench his jaw three or four times before he finally composed himself enough to say, “What are you doing here?”
“I can’t just visit my stepfather?” he shot back.
I watched Jeremiah’s shoulders tense.
“Erich,” Jeremiah fumed. “I want nothing to fucking do with you. I don’t want to be around you. I don’t want to see you. I don’t want to talk to you. I don’t want to be reminded of the ‘good ol’ days.’ Because, let me tell you a secret, with you and your mom, there weren’t any. There wasn’t a single good day in all of our days together. You ruined half of them, and your mother ruined the other half. I don’t want you around Gracelynn ever again. Do you understand?”
Erich stiffened.
I was so flabbergasted that I didn’t notice all the people in the room pause at the menace in Jeremiah’s voice.
“I haven’t done anything to you or her,” Erich tried. “I’ve only been around. Which is more than I can say for you.”
“Well, maybe that should tell you something,” Jeremiah snapped. “Now, if you don’t mind, please leave.”
There was a moment of stunned silence as Erich started to protest, then he was marching toward his car, with the help of Jeremiah who’d seen Erich’s intent before any of us did.
“Whoa,” I heard Banger whisper. “He’s pissed.”
“He’s never been that angry before,” Shine’s wife, Iris, whispered. “I think it’s hot.”
“Gross, Iris,” Shine grumbled. “That’s my uncle you’re talking about there.”
“That uncle is practically the same damn age as you, moron,” Iris countered.
Shine shrugged. “Still doesn’t make him any less my uncle.”
Jeremiah arrived back just as Erich’s car peeled away in a show of dust and gravel.
“We’re going to have a problem with him,” Price mused.
“Yeah.” Jeremiah sighed. “We sure the fuck are.”
CHAPTER 18
I can’t decide whether to pair fancy pants with my slut shoes or not.
-Gracelynn to Dory
GRACELYNN
We didn’t stay at the cabin at Cannel’s campground since Erich knew exactly where to find us.
Apparently, Jeremiah wasn’t comfortable with that. Nor did he like how easily accessible it was. Hence why we moved to Jeremiah’s cabin. Then he took me to work the next day where we got shit done, and not once did anything bad happen.
After work, Dory met me at the bakery since Jeremiah wasn’t convinced that I should be out of his sight. Oh, and though Dory wasn’t admitting it, Bram had been quite final in his say that Dory couldn’t be alone with me… just in case.
Not that I blamed him.
Dory was carrying his child. And though he wasn’t going to admit it, he loved her.
I could see it on both of their faces.
Even though both were trying valiantly hard to stay distant.
Why, I didn’t know. But I would be finding out. Today, as a matter of fact.
“Why don’t you two head over there.” I gestured toward the coffee shop down the corner. “And get some coffee. Then bring it back while I give Dory free rein?”
Dory glanced at Bram, who looked like he was about to protest.
Until he saw the look on her face.
Then he sighed and said, “You’ll set the alarm?”