Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“Sounds good.” He walks off toward Otto, while I head for the interior of the boat.
Since Lindsey always leaves lunch out in the small kitchen, I grab a sandwich and a bag of chips, then take a seat at the table where my computer is. Opening the screen, I pull up the text thread with Hanna.
Me: We’re heading back to shore for a week, so I should be to you by tomorrow
I press Send, not expecting her to reply, since she’s working. But then a message appears.
Hanna: Oh, okay. Awesome. I kind of got talked into plans for Saturday, since I didn’t know you’d be here.
Me: What kind of plans?
I take a bite of my sandwich as I wait for her to respond, and half my sandwich is gone before her next message appears.
Hanna: I’ll explain things to you in person when you get here.
Me: Sounds good. I’ll let you know what time my train is getting in.
Hanna: LOL! Don’t you need my address?
Me: You have my cell, baby. I can track you anywhere.
I press Send, then text again.
Me: Gotta go help the boys get our shit put up. Talk to you this evening.
I start to close my laptop, when an e-mail comes in from my mom. Shoving the last of my sandwich in my mouth, I open it, and my chest gets tight when I read the message about my sister.
“Fuck,” I bite out and head for the upper deck, where Toni was going the last time I saw him.
When I find him, I ask to use his satellite phone to call home, and he instantly pulls it from his back pocket. Taking it with me downstairs, I dial Miranda and listen to it ring.
“Hello?” she finally answers.
“What the fuck?” I snap.
“Walker?” she asks as the boat starts up.
“Yeah, Miranda, it’s me. What the fuck?”
“You keep saying that, but I don’t understand what answer you’re looking for, because unfortunately, that’s not an actual question.” If this were any other time, I would think she’s funny.
“You and Bowie got divorced?” I repeat what our mom said in the email she sent. Something my sister never mentioned the last time we spoke.
“Yes.”
“What the fuck?”
“Again, that’s not a question, Walker.”
“He cheated on you?” I start to pace, and the phone goes quiet for a few seconds.
“He did.”
“Why didn’t you tell me the last time we talked?” I ask, feeling sick.
“Because I didn’t want to worry you. I mean, you have way more important things to think about.”
Do I? She probably thinks that, but I always worry about her. I have since we were kids.
“You should have told me.”
“I should have. I just don’t want you to worry.”
“You’re my family. Of course I’m going to worry. How’s my nephew?” Fuck, that weight on my chest gets heavier.
“It’s been an adjustment, but he’s doing okay.”
“Fuck,” I clip out. “I’m going to kill Bowie.” I never liked her husband—or ex-husband. Not because of any one thing he did. He was always just too fucking cocky.
“How have you been? Are you dating anyone?”
So now we’re changing the subject? Not a surprise.
“I’m seeing someone. She’s a flight attendant.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, she’s from Tennessee actually.”
“Small world.”
“You’re not wrong.” I let out a breath. “Now, tell me the truth. How are you?”
“Happy,” she says quietly. “I know I shouldn’t be, given what happened, but I think Bowie and I were over before he started having an affair. I was just too busy to realize it.”
“Do you need anything? I can send you some money.”
“I’m good. We’re good.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” she says quietly.
“Okay.”
“Do you think you’ll be able to make it home this summer? I’m sure Mom and Dad told you about the RV they bought. They’re going to drive to visit me.”
“They did. I just don’t know right now. Things are up in the air.” It’s not that I don’t want to see her. I just hate seeing our parents. Our dad cheated on our mom constantly and didn’t give a fuck anytime she found out. Or he pretended to but then would go and do it again. I don’t know if he’s cheated since Miranda moved away from home, but what he did can’t be erased, and I’m still pissed at him.
“Well, let me know, and hopefully you can bring your girl.”
“Maybe,” I mutter, looking over at Ham when he starts to ask me to help with the lines as the boat begins to move. “Sorry, kid. I gotta go. Call me soon.”
“Okay, love you.”
“Love you too.” I end the call and take the phone back up to Toni before heading back down to the deck, hoping like fuck that Miranda is actually okay.
All while wondering what the fuck Hanna is going to tell me about Saturday, already knowing I’m not going to like it.
CHAPTER 11
hanna
Locking up my apartment so I can go meet Walker, who should be arriving in the next fifteen minutes, I look over my shoulder at the front door when it opens behind me. I press my lips together when I see Josh, Mrs. Lewis’s great nephew, step into the entryway with his two friends. The three of them are so caught up in talking about some girl they passed on the street, who was “fit,” as in “hot,” to even notice me. Thank God.