Total pages in book: 178
Estimated words: 170884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 170884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
It took every bit of strength I had to not laugh.
I’d planned on being discreet, but Hemi didn’t know how to spell the word, let alone depict it.
Zoe’s eyes widened as she tried to walk past. I placed my hand on her little shoulder, stopping her in her tracks. I leant down in her cute little face, brushing a gentle hand over her curled pigtails. I spoke, but it wasn’t to Zoe.
“Is this her, A.J.? Your friend Zoe?”
She looked over at Tama and her eyes wandered over to Hemi before snapping back to me.
Zoe Braemore looked ready to denounce her own name.
“That’s Zoe.” I didn’t look back at my boy, but I could hear the curl of his lip. “But we aren’t friends.”
“Can you help me, Zoe?” The little girl nodded, slowly, wide-eyed. I leant in and looked left to right before coming in close as if the favor I was about to ask was some big secret. “A.J.’s cousins here heard someone might be upsetting him.”
I looked up at Tama. He was scowling at the little shit.
“As you can see,” I went on, “when A.J. is upset, his cousins are too.” I lowered my voice. “Can you do me a favor?”
She nodded without question. Good girl.
“I want you to keep an eye on A.J. and tell me if you see anyone picking on him.” I stood tall and peeked over at Hemi before looking back to Zoe. “Hemi over there... he hates bullies. Don’t you, Hemi?”
Hemi turned his head meaningfully and nodded. He kept his gaze on the small child and I watched all the color drain out of Zoe’s face.
My shot had just found its mark.
Bull’s-eye.
And my work here was done.
I smiled widely, but it didn’t reach my eyes. It must’ve been less than comforting because Zoe took a small step back. “I knew I could count on you. Thanks, Zoe. Have a nice day, won’t you, sweetie?” As she walked away, I waved at her, while muttering under my breath, “Strike one, you little cunt.”
By quarter past three, all the children were collected by their parents and almost everyone had dispersed. Everyone but us. Once we were alone, Hemi’s stance slackened and he went to stand in front of Tama who hadn’t released his hold on A.J.
Hemi’s chubby hand came out and A.J. met him halfway. They shook hands and Hemi introduced himself. “Name’s Hemi, little bruh.” He jerked his chin to the sullen man holding him. “That’s Tama.”
A.J.’s face turned thoughtful. And what he said next killed me.
“Molly knew a man called Tama.”
Inside my head, a slow, drawn-out appeal. “No, A.J. Nooo.”
“Said he was scary. The scariest.” A.J. looked to Hemi. “She loved him.” He looked over at me. “Didn’t you, Molly?” Then he turned to face Tama, his expression gloomy. “But he died. And that made Molly sad.”
Bile rose up in my throat, a solid burning in my chest.
A.J., not knowing what he’d just done, reached for me. Numb to the core, I took him into my arms without question. He rested his cheek on my shoulder and hugged me around the neck too tightly. “I don’t like when Molly’s sad.”
Hemi looked from me to Tama, then back again and, thankfully, completely out of character, did not say what was on his mind before making his way back to the Hummer.
Tama, on the other hand, held his jaw tight. He didn’t take his eyes off me. I hoped he saw the apology I held in mine.
I was certain he did because after a long pause, Tama spoke. His voice was deceptively calm. “You love Miss Molly, hey?”
A.J. nodded at my shoulder.
Tama trained his eyes on me. He spoke without emotion, “Kid’s a terrible judge of character.”
My voice quiet, I agreed, “I know.”
Because he was right. I didn’t deserve what A.J. gave me. I didn’t deserve what Lexi trusted me with.
I was an awful person and, one day, I’d get mine.
Chapter Nine
Twitch
When she walked into my house, Manda looked tired. “We need to talk.”
Yeah. It had been brewing too long. We needed to hash this shit out. It was already awkward as fuck. I didn’t need it playing on my mind.
She came to sit on the small sofa, and I followed her into the room, leaning against the wall as she began. “I heard things about you. Bad things. And I chose to find out for myself, to see who you were before I judged. So, brother mine,” she said, “who exactly are you?”
That was a tough question.
I didn’t really know anymore.
I clicked my tongue and gently massaged my temple. “Mandy, please. Give me a break. It’s been a shitty couple of days. Besides, we’ve been through this.” I looked at her pointedly. “You think Vander’s a fucking saint?”
At my words, she shook her head. “I know my husband, thank you very much, but he’s never tried to make me believe he was something he wasn’t. And you hurt that girl.” She looked disappointed. “Vander’s the sweetest man in the world.” At my open scoffing, she amended, “To me, he is. He’s never been knowingly mean to me. He’s always openly loved me. He’s never raised a hand to me because he knows I’d leave him.”