Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
There’s a pause for the other person to reply.
“I know. We’ll find a way, I promise. I want you to call me once a week. We’re doing this together, no matter how far away I am.”
My curiosity is piqued. Kid has never mentioned seeing anyone. Now that I think about it. I’ve never seen her hook up with anyone either. Maybe I’ve got this all wrong.
Nah. She blushes around Leo.
That’s a fact. I’ll have to tease her about that and see what happens. Although, if she has some guy out there somewhere, I should probably mind my business.
That would totally explain why she’s never let me smash.
I back up quietly before I clear my throat and make sure my footfalls are heavy as I go to enter the card room. Kid jumps as I walk through the door.
“Hey, I have to go. Take care of yourself. I love you.”
She hangs up, looking nervous. I smile and lean my butt against the nearest game table. She slips her phone into her back pocket and wipes her hands on her thighs.
“You’re back early,” I say.
“Yeah, something came up. Had to cut the visit short.”
I narrow my eyes. “Everything okay? You need some help?”
She smiles. “Thanks. It’s okay. I’ll let you know if I need you.”
I watch her nervously lick her lips and wonder what she’s hiding. I’ve always thought she had secrets, but now I know she does. I might have dodged a bullet here.
“Didn’t know you were seeing someone,” I tease to see what she’ll say.
“You’ve never asked, but that was my bestie.”
I nod. Needing to get my mind off my own situation, I probe to see if she’s up for being more than a buddy. Hell, what do I have to lose?
“Okay, so are you? And if not, why haven’t we hooked up if you’re not seeing someone?”
“You’re a really good friend. Besides, I’m sort of messing around with someone, but I’m into someone else. Long story.”
“Why settle?”
“I know what I’m getting with the guy I’m hooking up with. No strings attached and he’s not interested in more. We don’t work for more.
“Anyway, I’m not sure the guy I want knows I’m alive and it would never work. I’m too…” She shrugs.
I know she means Leo, but I hold my tongue and keep the knowledge for later. I’m not going to push my little brother into some triangle and have to fuck someone up later.
Yet I’m now curious about this other guy. All shit I need to keep my nose out of.
* * *
Alexis
I sit in my lonely apartment, staring at the wall. There were pictures of everyone I care about in that envelope. If it wasn’t someone I love, it was someone important to Anthony.
I know my father had been mixed up in so much shit over the years. Things sure to land anyone connected to him in deep trouble. If these people can truly pin any of that on the ones I care for, it would ruin so many lives.
“I hate this,” I sob.
I snatch up my phone and call Ven. It’s been a while since we talked. I don’t even know what I plan to say. All I know is I have this tight feeling in my chest, and I need to breathe.
“Yo,” a male answers.
“Um, hey, I’m looking for Ven.”
“Lex, this is Pit, Skittles’s man. She’s in the bathroom. Want me to have her call you back?”
“Yes, please.”
“Hey, you all right? Tell me what’s wrong, baby girl.”
I wipe under my nose. “It’s nothing. I’m just missing my cousin.”
“Where are you again? I’ll send for you. You can be here by morning.”
“That’s so sweet of you. I would love that, but… um, I can’t get away from work right now.”
“Right, the cousin who doesn’t like Vander. Take down my number. If you ever need anything, you call me. I’ll take care of everything.”
I grab a pen and jot the number down. I don’t know why but having it comforts me. I guess it’s one more connection to Ant.
He continues, interrupting my thoughts. “I’m throwing Skittles a birthday party. You should come in for it. One night.”
“I don’t know. Work has been crazy.”
“Think about it. I’ll fly you private and all. You can stay at my place, or I’ll put you up someplace nice.”
“Oh my God, she said you were one of her assholes, but you’re so freaking sweet.”
“Oh, don’t get that shit fucked up. You mean something to her. I’ve got anyone that woman loves.”
“She’s lucky. Thanks. You can tell her I’ll call back tomorrow or something. You have a good one, Pit.”
I hang up, knowing what I have to do. I can’t go back to Vander or Bridge Lake. Too many people I care about are connected to this. For now, I need to figure out how I get my baby to its father without stepping foot into Vander.