Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79169 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79169 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“You ain’t lying.” Lynch snickered. “Prez is a stud.”
And just like that, it was back to running a fucking daycare.
Damn.
8
REBECCA
As soon as Thatch left, I made myself some coffee, then turned on some music and got busy cleaning up the house. I washed the dishes, did some laundry, and even managed to mop and vacuum—something I hadn’t done in ages.
I’d just started dusting the living room when I turned around and found Joyce, my annoyingly intrusive mother-in-law, standing in the doorway to the kitchen. I always made a point to check all the locks. It was one of my many quirks, so I had no doubt she’d used her old key to let herself in.
As I stood there staring at her, I made a mental note to get the locks changed ASAP. Like Trevor, Joyce had dark hair and a pronounced jawline, and they both had the same deep-seated mean streak. She was wearing a pair of “mom jeans” and a tan sweater with work boots, and it was clear from her scowl she hadn’t stopped by for a friendly visit.
“Joyce? What are you doing?”
“I knocked, but clearly, you didn’t hear me.” She dropped her purse down on the table, then entered the living room. Her face twisted into a displeased grimace as she stood there staring at my dirty t-shirt and pajama bottoms. “You’re looking ... well.”
“I was cleaning up a bit before I took my shower.” It wasn’t the first time she’d just let herself into my home, so I added, “You know, you can’t just keep coming in here like this, Joyce. Trevor and I are no longer married, and even if we were, it’s not right.”
“I told you, I knocked. Besides, Tre’s money bought this house, so it’s just as much mine as it is yours.”
“He did not buy this house, Joyce. We bought it together. I paid my share if not more, but that’s honestly none of your business.”
“My son and my granddaughter are always my business.”
“Whatever.” Joyce didn’t make it easy to like her. In fact, she made it extremely difficult. I wanted to scream and demand that she leave my house, but deep down, I knew it would only give her more reason to make my life hell. “I’d appreciate it if you’d let me know when you’re coming by.”
“Well, I tried, but you haven’t returned any of my calls. The way I see it, you left me no choice.”
“Can you just tell me why you’re here so we can get on with our day?”
She remained in the doorway, glaring at me with a mixture of repulsion and annoyance as she announced, “I talked to Tre. He said you came by to see him the other day.”
“I did.”
“He said you mentioned bringing Cat by to see him, and I’m here to see when you planned on taking her.”
“I’m not taking her. I made that point very clear to Trevor when we spoke.”
“You don’t have a choice.” She crossed her arms indignantly. “He’s her father. He has every right to see her.”
“You’re wrong. He doesn’t have the right to see her. He lost that right when he was sent to prison.” I threw my hands up in the air as I roared, “I just don’t get it. What is wrong with you? Why would you want your granddaughter to go to that awful place? You should want better for her. She deserves better!”
“I want her to know her father.”
“Well, that’s not going to happen. It’s my job to keep my daughter safe. I failed her once before, and I won’t make that mistake again.”
“Then, I will take you to court.”
“You’re welcome to try, but I assure you, I’m going to put up one hell of a fight.”
“You’re going to regret this, Rebecca.”
“No, I don’t think I will.” As much as I hated Joyce for what she was trying to do, there was a piece of me that felt sorry for her. I knew she loved Trevor. I also knew she was still holding on to the hope that someday he’d once again be the son who made her proud. I, on the other hand, had let go of that hope a long time ago. “Cat shouldn’t have to go into that place. She shouldn’t have to see Trevor—not until she’s ready. If that time ever comes, and she wants to go, I will gladly take her.”
“And until then?”
“I don’t know, Joyce. I guess you could bring him pictures and keep him posted on what’s happening in her life, but she’s not going to that prison. Period.”
“Pictures? That’s all you’re willing to give him?”
“It’s clear that you and I aren’t going to see eye to eye on this.”
“Trevor was right about you. You’re nothing but a—”
“I’m done with this conversation. It’s time for you to go,” I snapped as I pointed to the door. “Now!”