Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“Whatever, mini brat. Let’s go. I’m exhausted and hungry.”
“See, let’s forget all about my lessons. We need to get you fed and to bed.”
Josh laughs. “Right, lessons. Now.”
“Ugh,” she growls, rolls her eyes, and walks away.
Josh turns to me and pulls me into him to kiss me. I lean my head on his shoulder and close my eyes. I try my best not to allow the world out there to come inside our bubble.
“It’s going to be fine. Ven will forgive us. I think it’s all a shock that it’s been happening under her nose, but I know her. She’s happy for us.”
“I hope you’re right. I love our life. I don’t want it to be a problem.”
“Baby, it’s not. And if there is someone who has a problem with it, they’ll have to deal with me.”
“I love you.”
“I love you more. Remember the first time I told you?”
“Yeah, Bali was a game changer. I’ll never forget it.”
“Me either. Greatest high of my life.”
I smile and tighten my arms around him. That day made my heart race for so many reasons.
Chapter 45
It’ll Come
Pit
Skittles has been giving me the silent treatment all the way home. I probably should’ve stayed at the bar to close. I frown.
I’m not about to run from this. I’ve told her before there are some things I’m not going to involve her in. This time, I didn’t feel it was necessary for her to know what was going on with Kelex.
We step into the house, and she heads to the bedroom, still not saying a word to me. I follow her because we’re having this out tonight. I need my head clear if I’m going to pull the pieces we need.
She steps into the closet and starts to strip out of her clothes. I lean against the closet opening and watch her. Pulling her shirt over her head after placing her shoes on the shelf, she then pulls off her pants.
I roll my eyes. I’m not putting up with this. I know her stubborn ass will keep this going for days. I’m not having it. Not this time.
“Yo, you going to ignore me all night?” I say as I walk up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist.
I lean down and kiss the top of her head. She melts into me for a moment before she stiffens and turns to face me. Seeing the look in her eyes, I lean in to peck her lips.
“Why wouldn’t you tell me they were seeing each other?”
“Mayven, I honestly didn’t know for sure. I suspected, but I couldn’t come out and tell you when it got this serious. Besides, if I told you what I thought, you would have gotten in the middle.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Baby, you love people so hard, you throw yourself at them. If you knew, you wouldn’t have given them space to figure it out. Kelex had a lot of demons he was dealing with, but I could tell he cared about her.
“Shawna was so hurt behind that other bullshit. I knew she deserved this chance. Think about it, if you knew, what would you have done?”
She looks up at me with tears in her eyes. “How long did you know?”
“I figured something was going on around the wedding. That act, like they didn’t know each other, was bullshit to me.”
“So the cabin and all that was an act too?”
“I think they were having a fight. I really don’t know for sure. Baby, it was speculation. I had nothing concrete to tell you. When they finish telling me what happened, I’ll be learning the truth right along with everyone else. Blake really doesn’t tell me much about Kelex.”
“And why is that?”
“Because he’s his godfather. And so you know. Kelex and Ox are cousins.”
She buries her forehead in my chest. “What the fuck?”
“Baby, when this is all over, you’re not going to see any of us the same way.”
“Lex was right. I think my feelings are only hurt because I’ve been ignoring the truth. I’ve always known there was something different about you and Josh from everyone else.
“I also know Daddy and Aunt Monica aren’t as clean as they lead everyone to believe. There are so many secrets in this place. Heck, I have a scar because the man you sent was someone I saw with my dad stitching up one of his guards.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, it was clear Daddy didn’t want whatever happened to get out. It was like a year before we met.”
“Your father has a lot of skeletons. Let’s leave those where they are. We have enough going on. Are we good?”
“Yeah, for now. I’m sure I’ll be mad again tomorrow.”
“Well, come here. Let me make it up to you in advance.”
I lift her into my arms and turn to place her on the island in the center of her closet. She looks at me with a small smile as she reaches for the remote mounted on the side of the table and turns on the sound system.