Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“Come again?” Brett said.
“You’re right. I should buy it. It would be the smart move.”
“But…?” he asked.
“No buts. I’ll call Mr. Hyde later and sit down with him and figure out a price. We can avoid using a real estate agent, and I’ll cover the legal fees. It can be quick.”
They both looked shocked, and I clapped Brett’s shoulder. “Good talk, guys. Thanks.”
I grinned as I walked away. I knew that wasn’t the last I would hear about this. But it was worth it to have rendered them speechless.
Even for a moment.
I joined Mack and Theo kicking around the ball. I lifted Thomas high, tickling him, and I pushed him on the swing for a while. I went to grab a cold water and noticed Charly talking to the boys. Maxx was with them, Vivvy cradled in his embrace, and they were all deep in conversation. I tried not to laugh as their heads turned my way and Charly spun on her heel, heading my direction. I sat down, knowing there was no place I could run, and waited for the invasion.
Three…Two…
“So, you’ve decided to buy the house now?” she asked, sitting beside me. “What changed your stubborn, pigheaded mind all of a sudden?”
“Hello to you too, Charly.”
“Don’t change the subject, Chase. Maxx has already been on my nerves today, and I am incapable of bull pucky.”
I bit back my laughter. “Did he not approve of your outfit?”
“What the blazes is wrong with my outfit?”
“Nothing.” I paused and took a drink. “But I’m not your husband.”
She looked fine. Beautiful, in fact. She wore a pretty, loose tunic that fell to her knees. The problem was there was a way of gathering up the material at the sides, and she had done so. Her thighs were on display, which was hardly indecent, but to Maxx, it was like a target. He would zoom in on her exposed skin and rant for hours. It amused all of us, and Charly did it to rile him up.
“I have shorts on under this,” she hissed. “Don’t you start too.”
I chuckled, thinking I had gotten her mind off the subject, but I was wrong.
“Now, the house,” she continued.
“I decided you were right. I was being foolish not to buy a place, so I am going to buy the house from Mr. Hyde so I don’t have to move. Simple.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Really?” she drawled. “Just like that?”
“No, I’ve been thinking about it. You were right, Charly. I listened. You should be happy.”
She pursed her lips. “I was right,” she repeated.
“Yup. Your wisdom soaked in.”
“Isn’t that great.”
I nodded. “Yup.”
She leaned close, smiling. She tilted her head to the side. “Bull pucky,” she murmured. “I’ll find out, Chase Donner. I’ll know the real story, and you’ll be sorry you didn’t tell me.”
She got up and flounced away. I saw now why Maxx was freaking. There was no back to the tunic. It fell in folds to her butt, and her hair was up, so her back was on display. I was shocked he hadn’t covered her with a blanket. Even if she was among friends. I had to laugh at the two of them.
I did wonder, however, how long it would take Charly to put two and two together and figure out the real reason I’d decided to buy the house.
To get Hannah.
Once she discovered it, she’d never let me live it down.
I sat with Mr. Hyde that night. He showed me the three estimates he had on the property, the tax bill, and a list of repairs he had done not long ago. I offered him a cash price, and we shook on the deal. We agreed to use the same lawyer and that the ownership transfer would happen as soon as the paperwork was complete. He could move closer to his daughter, and I would have the house. Simple.
He regarded me as he scratched his chin. “All cash? You got that sort of money, son?”
I nodded. “Yes, sir. It’s not an issue.”
“Your dad?” he asked.
Again, I nodded but didn’t reply.
“You know, I knew your parents when they were younger. A couple of crazy kids in love. So proud of his boys. Of being a father. He wasn’t always so bad,” he offered quietly. “He was never himself after your mom passed. He couldn’t let go of the grief, and he became bitter. Instead of finding his purpose being your father, he walked away.”
“He totally checked out. He stopped being a father and ignored both of us. He didn’t speak to me again when I got out of jail, even after I reached out. I wanted his attention, not his money.”
“It happens. And your brother going wild happens too. But neither was because of you.”
“I know.”
“You should live. Really live. You could buy a bigger place than mine, I imagine.”