Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 88080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“Shhh,” Jordy murmurs. “Don’t cry.”
He drops a soft kiss on my lips that makes me whine. Once he pulls away, he sets to swiping the tears away with his thumbs. His intense gaze sears into me until Hollis clears his throat.
“You okay?” Hollis asks.
“Yeah,” I croak out. “Just sad Roan couldn’t make it.”
Jordy reluctantly pulls away. To distract myself, I tear through the envelope to find Dad sent me a birthday card with eighteen wrinkly dollars in it. The card is different than his usual Disney one. It’s simple. Navy blue with a white flower on the front. He’s written me more than his usual few words.
Kiddo,
Happy birthday, angel. I can’t believe you’re an adult now. Time flies in here. I wish to fuck I could be there with my baby girl to celebrate. I’m always thinking about you and Roan. Always. Maybe you can talk your brother into coming to see me one day. I’d love to see my kids. I know I fucked up, baby girl, and I’m sorry. If I could go back to that bar, I would’ve let those shit for brains go on and not done what I did. Sometimes my temper gets the best of me and that hurts the people around me. I see that now. Hope Jordy is looking after you. You’re brave as shit. I just want you to know that. You and Roan are both two of the fiercest kids I know and I’d like to think you got it from me. Thank fuck you got your momma’s looks. Tell those boys to take you out someplace nice or I’ll kick all their asses. Love you to pieces.
I’ll always have your back, Roux. Even when it seems impossible, Daddy is always near. Love you and your brother. Happy birthday, baby.
Dad
I tear up as I tuck the money back in the card and take it to my room. It gets stowed away with all the other cards he’s written me. I save all the money so that if he ever gets out, I’ll take us to dinner with it. I quickly text Roan.
Me: All I want for my birthday is to see Dad. Can we arrange for that to happen? I know you’re busy, but it’d mean a lot to me. Love you and be safe.
When I come back into the living room, Jordy is already in the shower and Hollis is waiting for me by the door.
“Ready, birthday girl?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
I said a small shindig.
Not this.
Not every single person Kayden knows.
I’m used to these parties by now, though. Ever since I made it official that I wanted to get back together, I’ve been to every single party Kayden goes to. Renaldo hosts plenty of them. Now that Jordy is doing his bidding and I’m with Kayden, Renaldo leaves me alone. Pretends I don’t exist. It’s fine by me since he scares the living shit out of me.
“Dance with me, baby,” Kayden purrs, his mouth stinking of vodka as he mauls me with a kiss.
I grimace and turn my head. He takes the opportunity to suck on my neck as he grinds against me. When I’m with Kayden, everything goes numb. I let my heart turn to ice and do what I must to get by.
“Fuck,” Kayden groans, nipping at my ear. “All these bitches are looking like skanks in their short skirts, but you’re fine as fuck in jeans and a sweater. You’ve got me by the balls, baby. Renaldo says I’m pussy whipped.”
I laugh. “Being nice to your girlfriend isn’t the same as being pussy whipped. I don’t boss you around.”
“I just tell him to fuck off. He doesn’t know what it’s like to love someone.”
Kayden only loves himself, but I preen for him anyway.
“Aww, you’re so sweet.” I hug him and rest my cheek on his chest, closing my eyes.
We slow dance to a fast song. My mind is on a million other things, all of them far away from this party.
“I thought since we’ve been dating off and on for a year now that we could…”
I tense in his arms. “What?”
“Make love, baby. I’ve waited so long to have you. We’re getting along so good, too. Please let me show you how good it can be.”
“Kayden,” I start but freeze up.
I knew it would come to this.
“I’m getting there,” I murmur, trying desperately to make him believe that. “It never feels right with all these people around. We’re never alone.”
He pulls back, his brown eyes darting all over my face. “I can make them all leave.”
“Maybe just plan a date for the two of us,” I offer. “See where the night takes us.”
His grin is wide and boyish. “You got it, babe. Soon.”
He drops a kiss to my lips and I’m thankful I’ve dodged our main point of contention. Sex. Or lack thereof.