Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 56295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
“I know, I know. Maybe I’ll have a better teacher in high school?” I laugh low in my throat. Oh, to be that hopeful teenager again. Rory looks at me, rolls her eyes, and huffs out a breath.
“Doubtful. Apologize to your mom. I’ll cook dinner, then we’ll see what we can work out.” Another quality in Nix that has me thinking about things I shouldn’t. I wouldn’t have said a word, a battle that I didn’t have the energy to deal with.
“Sorry, Momsies.” The attitude is put away and she moves toward me, arms open. I do the same. Hugs are rare these days, so I’ll take every single one I can get.
“I want in!” Emmy barrels into our hug. My arms wrap around my girls as my eyes close for a moment, soaking it all in, and when the girls have had their fill of mom time, Nix has that look on his face, the one that has his jaw tightening as if he’s pissed off at something or somebody. He’s never willing to talk about it, and I’m too much of a ninny to open that can of worms.
4
NIX
“Emmy, Rory, if you don’t get your butts out this door, we’re going to be late for school and I’m going to be late for work. That means eating cereal, Ramen, and peanut butter sandwiches.” I’m heading into work at the same time she’s trying to get the girls out the door, a task in itself. Leigh must be feeling generous because any other day, they’d be on the bus. That or they’re running late. I look down at my phone, noticing the time, and I’d say the girls overslept this morning, seeing as how they’re usually gone before me.
“That’s not fair! Unless it’s your French toast peanut butter sandwiches.” Emmy comes flying out the door, backpack on, lunchbox in her hand, flinging her hair with her unoccupied hand.
“I’ll take that into consideration with management, meaning me. Rory Michelle, let’s roll.” I’m trying not to laugh. The woman has a heart of gold, is stronger than anyone I know, including my own mother. We’re not going to tell her that. I’d be on her shit list until the end of time.
“Madre, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Rory is a flustered mess. It’s becoming her usual with the load she seems to willingly carry. I hate to say it, but the girl and math do not jive whatsoever. There’s only so much you can do. The rest is going to be up to her.
“Let’s go, let’s go. Apology accepted.” That’s Rosaleigh, the woman I let slip through my fingers, standing on the sidelines like a second-string quarterback waiting for his time to shine. Fucking David James, my childhood best friend. That all changed the second he figured out how his dick worked. A subject I won’t even touch. If the conversation came out and Leigh asked point blank, I’d fucking lie. That woman has been through too much in her lifetime. There’s no damn need to add fuel to the fire.
“Nix! Good morning!” Emmy, who was waiting for her mother to unlock the door to the black Tahoe she drives, starts to take off toward me.
“Good morning, Emmy, Rory, Leigh.” I know there’s no stopping Emmy, and if Rosaleigh is late for work, well, that won’t do.
“Hey, Nix, thanks for helping me last night,” Rory says with a yawn.
“Morning. We’ve got to go. I have to open the nursery, and these two knuckleheads slept through their alarm.” I arch an eyebrow. I’m pretty sure the two younger girls weren’t the only ones. “Fine, whatever. So did I.”
“Girls, head to my truck. No need for your mom to be late. You okay with that?” It’s an afterthought, really. Probably should have made sure she was okay with it. Rosaleigh’s tell is chewing on her bottom lip, teeth indenting it. If the girls weren’t here, I’d let me thoughts run wild thinking about all the things her lips, tongue, and teeth could be doing to me right about now.
“Life saver. I owe you one. Though, I don’t know how I can ever repay you.” Rosaleigh waves both of her hands, fanning her eyes. Jesus, it’s one of those weeks for her, it seems. Though, I’m not commenting a single word, knowing if Rory is hitting that time of the month, Rosaleigh might be right behind her. Shit, once it happens to Emmy, I’m fucked. There won’t be enough chocolate in Abalee to handle the James women.
“Tell your mom goodbye. Leigh, we’ll talk later, okay? I’ve got time today, so I’m going to work on replacing your locks.” My hand cups her jaw, thumb sliding over her cheek, doing more than I ever have in the ten months since douchebag David has been gone.
“Bye, Momma,” Rory says, chasing after Emmy, who just waves over her shoulder. The two of them will fight over riding shot gun, and I’ll wade in as soon as I make sure their mom is okay.