Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 60131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Maybe she’s focusing on the inside. Maybe she’s in there now…
“Are you paying attention to me, Uncle Brooks?” Olivia tugged my jacket.
“Yeah, I am.” I looked down at her. “Alyssa got jealous because you won the essay contest, and because she thinks you have a crush on Justin, she de-invited you to her birthday party.”
“What a nutty bitch, right?”
“Did Harlow ever say things like that to you?”
“No.” She waved her hand. “Sasha did, though. Harlow would probably tell me to call her and clear the air, because I don’t like Justin. I like Max. Oh, and Alyssa usually beats me in everything else, and she shouldn’t be this upset over one time.”
“Can we please go with that plan later today, then?”
“Okay.” She shrugged. “How is your week going so far?”
Fucking awful. “Pretty good. I’m getting a lot done at work.”
“Are you happy that the Jets are a few games away from the playoffs?”
“They’re hanging on by a thread.” I smiled. “They have to win six of the next ten for that to happen.”
“Six of the next twelve.” She corrected me, pushing up her sleeve to show me a triple-layer bracelet.
“It has eighty-two charms to represent the number of games, then complementing ‘W’ and ‘L’ charms for the results, and then there’s a color chain that’s coded for the playoffs.”
I lifted her wrist. “Is this something we sell in the merch store?”
“No, Harlow had this made for me a while back.” She tried not to smile, but she failed. “She said it would help me better understand the season, and it does. I understand it perfectly now.”
“You want some hot chocolate?” I needed to change the subject.
“If I say yes, does that mean we’re going back to the car?”
“No, we have another mile to walk, and you still have to tell me about Jessie and Tamara’s latest fallout…”
FIFTY (B)
HARLOW
I’m sorry I ever lied to you, Tasha. Allow me to explain…
I’m sorry I ever lied about that to you, Heather.
I’m truly sorry I ever lied…
Waking up without Pierce and the kids for the umpteenth night in a row was true punishment. It was forcing me to apologize to every person I ever lied to.
Then again, maybe it was because the prison warden said he hoped to see me behind “his bars” someday…
FIFTY-ONE
PIERCE
Attending a charity party with the rich was the last thing I wanted to do, but the quicker I returned to things I did pre-Harlow, the faster I could get over her.
Tonight’s misguided cause was ‘Kids Who Need Shoestrings,’ but I donated a million pairs of shoes first before telling the host his idea made no sense.
I also refused to attend unless they agreed to move it to my team’s arena, so I was not-so-anxiously waiting around with my staff in the office wing.
Hopefully, they’ll play some decent music.
“A courier just delivered an urgent package for you.” Denise approached me, holding out a small white envelope, but I didn’t take it.
“Is Mr. Dawson going to be like this for the entire party?” someone asked her. “He hasn’t said a word all night.”
“The party hasn’t started yet, so I’ll make sure he perks up,” she said. “Keep everyone away from him until it’s time to head to the court.”
“I have a drug connect if we need to shoot him up with some cocaine.” “I know someone who can get us some speed.” “Oh, yeah, speed. Much better.”
“I’ll keep those suggestions in mind.” Denise rolled her eyes and waited for the guys to move.
“You have an urgent package, Pierce,” she said. “It might be something we need to know before the party starts.”
I said nothing.
“Since you’re so excited—” She ripped it open. “—I’ll open it for you. Okay, it’s a letter. Want me to read it?”
“I don’t care.”
Dear Mr. Dawson,
Thank you for taking the time to hire me as your nanny.
I also appreciate the storefront you loaned me, but just as you made it clear that you want nothing to do with me anymore, I want nothing to do with you.
I realize the damage my lie caused you and your family, and I need to work on my character integrity.
Wishing You and Your Kids Well,
Harlow
Your kids? I sat up. Harlow typically wrote out their names whenever she sent me a message.
“Are you sure you read that right?” I asked.
“Verbatim.” She held it toward me. “You can read it yourself, if you like.”
“No, that’s okay.”
“Since you’re selling a few other storefronts in your portfolio this month, I can have your realtor put this up for sale as well.”
“Wait. Could you read that note aloud again?” I asked. “A bit slower this time.”
“Sure.” She cleared her throat, and I focused on every word.
I never said that building was a loan. It was a gift.
I was tempted to call her and ask what the hell she was talking about.