Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23316 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23316 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Addy nods.
“Yes, but what happened?” she demands. “I mean, guns? Violence? Vinnie? How in the world?”
With that, Kurt begins to speak, filling in the gaps. My man is straightforward and honest. He doesn’t get into the details, but he does mention that we were making love when Vinnie saw us.
“Wait, what?!” Addy gasps. “You were doing the what what? Come again?”
Tears fill my eyes.
“Please don’t be mad, Addy,” I beg. “It just happened between me and your dad. Neither of us expected it.”
Kurt nods.
“Sparks flew, honey, and that was it. Janelle and I spent the weekend together at the cabin, and I hope you can accept our relationship because what we feel for each other is real. Maybe it was forged in fire, given the circumstances, but it’s also very genuine.”
Addy’s jaw drops down to the ground and her eyes are almost comically wide as they dart back and forth between her father and me. For what feels like an eternity, she doesn’t move, but then she leaps into action.
“Of course I’m not mad!” she squeals. “If anything, I’m just happy you’re safe, and if you’re happy, then I’m happy.”
I stare at her, dumbstruck.
“Really?”
Addy nods vigorously.
“Hell yeah. Dad, you’ve been seeing such awful women for the past ten years, and I never wanted to say anything, but I’m saying it now. Your taste in the opposite sex leaves a lot to be desired, and if you’ve found happiness with my friend, then all the better. Janelle is a wonderful person, and I will kill you if you fuck things up.”
Kurt lets out a startled sound and even I hiccup, half from laughter and half from shock.
“No, I’m serious,” Addy continues. “I love you both, and if my best friend and my dad want to get together, then all the better. Hell, I could use a little sibling, come to think of it! But you guys are both wonderful people, and to tell the truth, I can’t think of a better match. I’m just so glad you’re both alive!” she bawls. “Otherwise, I would have been all alone in this great big world!”
With that, Addy flings her arms around our shoulders, pulling us in for a tight hug. We do a three-person embrace for a minute or two, before breaking away and laughing, while also wiping away tears.
“Thank you,” I say to my friend.
Addy turns to me.
“No, thank you, Janelle. Thank you for saving my dad from his horrible dating choices, and thank you for getting him out of this crazy situation alive.”
“Well actually, he saved me,” I begin, but Addy merely nods.
“It’s all the same. My two favorite people are alive and well, and I’m grateful for it.”
With that, we laugh, chat, and hug once more, blessed to be together. Kurt meets my eyes over his daughter’s head, and my heart contracts because there’s something in those blue depths that’s intense, yet powerful too. What is it? I know he’ll tell me soon because our relationship has reached a new level, and soon, there will be no secrets between us.
13
Kurt
Janelle and I are mostly silent as we eat take-out while sitting on my living room couch. A reality show plays on mute on the TV, and we’re both simultaneously exhausted and yet still somewhat revved up from the events of the day too.
“Are you okay, honey?” I murmur.
She shoots me a tired but warm glance.
“Yes. Pass the soy sauce, please?”
Wordlessly, I hand her the small packets of aromatic brown sauce that came with our takeout, and once we’re full, I dispose of the boxes and plates before cleaning up a bit.
“You okay, sweetheart?” I ask, pulling her up to sit next to me on the couch. Her curvy form settles against mine, and I have to admit that even during this dark time, I love it. I adore how her breasts are pressed against my side and how she cuddles against me for warmth and reassurance.
“I’m good,” she murmurs in a quiet voice. “Considering.”
I take a deep breath and nod because after Janelle was discharged from the hospital, we made our way to the police station for a quick de-brief. At least, I thought it was going to be quick, but instead, we spent hours talking to law enforcement and explaining how we got to where we were. The good part is that it doesn’t seem like I’ll be charged for shooting Vinnie because it was clearly self-defense. Vinnie, on the other hand, hasn’t been so lucky. He’s going to be indicted on attempted murder because that’s what it is: he tried to kill us, and deserves to be punished for his crimes.
Still, this is all so fucking crazy. I mean, attempted murder? How does that even happen? Of course, I’m satisfied knowing that Vinnie will likely be spending some serious time behind bars, but Janelle? I don’t know how she feels about it. He was her lover up until about forty-eight hours ago, so it must be a huge shock. In fact, she hasn’t said much on the topic since we left the police station.