Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 150002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 750(@200wpm)___ 600(@250wpm)___ 500(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 150002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 750(@200wpm)___ 600(@250wpm)___ 500(@300wpm)
I looked down the street and across to the large monument in front of the park. I imagined the street the way it looks for the holidays and found myself hoping that she would be here with me then.
I could imagine taking her a few streets over to Fifth Ave when it was all lit up, and the store windows all decorated like a nineteen-thirties
black and white film. I actually got a warm glow from the thought and vowed to make it a reality.
I know enough now to know how to deal with her going forward. Had she not had any interest, she would’ve told mom in some way. The thumbs up and happy grin on mom’s face told me different.
I sat up for most of the night thinking of what I had to do. I had plans to visit Ray Morrison’s place of employment as soon as business opens tomorrow, I also have to get the ball rolling on Travis’ school situation.
I wasn’t sure about the particulars, or whom I was supposed to talk to about the kid. From what I’d gathered she was basically his guardian now, but I wasn’t sure if that was official or just how things ended up. That’s something else I’m gonna have to take care of.
I should feel crowded, panicky, all the things that usually happens when some female starts getting the feels. But I felt none of that. Instead there was that budding sense of excitement that I felt the first time I saw her.
I checked on her before turning in and went next
door to stare up at the ceiling for the next half an hour before sleep finally took over.
I heard movement outside in the hallway what felt lime mere minutes later and walked out just in time to see her sneaking out the door. A look out the window showed that it was still dark, but it was winter so that didn’t mean much. I checked my watch, five o’clock in the morning.
“I don’t remember a lot, but I do know there’s no college in the world giving classes at this hour.” She jumped a mile in the air and yelped. I had to grab her before she fell to the floor.
“What the hell, what is wrong with you sneaking up on me?” She hiss whispered in the dark.
“Where are you going?”
“Work, now if you don’t mind let me go or I’ll be late.” I held onto the front of her coat harder.
“What the hell do you mean work? You work for me and it’s nowhere near time.” Had she woken up dazed and mistaken morning for evening?
“If you must know I have another part time job.”
”You what?”
“Can we have this conversation later? I really have
to get going.”
“Wait right here, let me get dressed.” Un-fucking believable. No wonder she was only getting four hours of sleep at night. I pulled on a pair of sweats and a hoodie before grabbing the keys to my Spyder that was kept in the garage along with my other vehicles.
She was waiting for me just inside the door and opened it as soon as she saw me. I had a feeling had I taken even a minute longer she would’ve left. As it was she complained all the way down in the elevator.
She came up short when she saw the red sports car. “You drive?”
“Yes I drive, now get in. I thought you said you were going to be late.”
I helped her in and walked around to my side. “Tell me about this job, where is it?” I gritted my teeth to keep from saying anything negative, but she had to know this was nuts. How could anyone keep going like that for any length of time?
“It’s a coffee shop not too far from my school. I work there a few hours each morning, same as at your place, Monday through Thursday.”
“I open the shop until the owner and his son gets there. It’s only three hours, six to nine and then my first class is at nine-thirty. I left a note on Travis’ bed for him to meet me there before class begins so he won’t be in your hair.”
I have no explanation for the amount of anger I felt. “The kid is fine, it’s you I’m worried about. Today is your last day there.” So much for controlling my anger, but this shit is nuts.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me, it’s your last day there. What are you trying to do? Kill yourself?” Fuck Max, wrong fucking thing to say. Her face went sheet white and she stared at me out of sightless eyes.
Thank fuck it was too early in the morning for any sane person to be on the road and I was able to pull over to the side. I wanted to kick my own ass.