Total pages in book: 167
Estimated words: 157175 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157175 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
‘Cherry.’ I turn back towards her and make my way over, seeing her lip slip through her bite, her stance more confident. This needs nipping in the bud pretty damn quickly before Cherry is faced with the wrath of Ava. I shudder, but smile on the inside, too. I’m not the only possessive one in our relationship. ‘Perhaps we ought to—’
I’m cut dead when John strides in, his phone to his ear, talking to whoever is on the other end. ‘The part is missing and I want it here by morning.’ He hangs up and looks between me and Cherry. ‘All right?’
‘Yeah, Cherry was just leaving.’
She’s off across the office fast, quickly closing the door behind her. ‘What was that about?’ John takes a seat opposite Ava’s desk, while I drop into her chair.
‘I think Cherry has a crush.’
John’s low rumbling laugh grates on me. ‘God help her if Ava finds out. I’ll have a word.’
‘Please do.’ I wake up Ava’s screen and tap in her password, smiling as I do. THELORD3210. ‘Anything to report?’ I ask, scanning my e-mails. John doesn’t answer, and I lift my head, catching his straight face. I don’t like that face. That’s his ultra-serious face. ‘What’s up?’ I ask, wary.
‘Sarah’s back in town.’ That’s it. That’s all he says, sitting back in his chair quietly while I try to process what just came out of his mouth.
I’m still. And suddenly very hot, though I can’t figure out whether it’s from fear or anger. Oh, fuck. Shit is going to fly when Ava finds out. I haven’t seen Sarah for years, and I have no desire to now. Memories are flooding back, too many, too fast. I can’t do this again. Uncle Carmichael, Rosie, Rebecca, the car accident. There isn’t a day goes by that I don’t stop what I’m doing at some point and think about them all. But Sarah? I never think about her or what she tried to do to me and Ava. And I’m not about to now. My life is too perfect.
‘Why?’ is all I manage.
John’s huge shoulders jump up on a shrug. ‘Things didn’t work out for her in the States.’
It didn’t work out? I don’t trust her. I gave her money. I gave her my blessing. But the one thing I couldn’t give her was my love. I rake a hand through my hair, feeling so fucking stressed. ‘Tell her to stay away from me and my family.’
‘Already done. But this is Sarah, Jesse. I can’t watch her every motherfucking second of the day.’
I frown. ‘Where is she?’
John doesn’t hold back his answer, pulling off his wraparounds so I can appreciate how serious he is. ‘Staying with me.’
I blink at him, but his steely expression doesn’t waver, his face poker straight. ‘Why the fuck would you do that?’
‘She’s broke, Jesse. And broken, too. What did you want me to do? Shut my door in her face?’
‘Yes.’ I stand, my temper getting the better of me. ‘Fucking hell, John. Have you forgotten what she did to me and Ava?’
He’s up out of his chair like lightning, his big body looming forward. ‘Shut the fuck up, you stupid motherfucker.’ He slams his fist into the wood. ‘You and Ava are exactly why she’s staying at mine.’ I frown and he goes on. ‘I told her she can stay a few weeks until she gets herself back on her feet, but only if she stays out of your way.’
I shrink a little. It’s not something many people can make me do. Only two people, in fact. My wife, and this man right here. The man who has been by my side for over thirty years. My uncle’s best friend, and now my best friend.
I feel a pang of guilt – not towards Sarah, but toward my oldest friend. He didn’t ask for this. For all the decades this amazing man has been in my life, his loyalty has never once wavered. He’s been a rock, looked out for me. I honestly don’t know where I would be today without him. And here he is still doing right by me. ‘John—’
‘Shut up.’ He gets up, slipping his wraparounds back on. ‘I’m taking care of it. I just didn’t want to keep it from you.’
‘Thanks, big man.’
‘No need.’ He strides out of the office, and I try to breathe in some calm. I can’t leave Ava in the dark over this. I grab my phone to call her, but an incoming call flashes up before I can dial. I frown down at the kids’ school number, answering quickly. ‘Hello?’
‘Mr Ward, it’s Mrs Chilton, Maddie and Jacob’s teacher.’
My heartbeat naturally quickens as it always does when an unexpected call comes in from the school. I instantly think the worst – one of them has hurt themselves or maybe isn’t feeling well. ‘Is everything okay? The kids?’