Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
I dip down and give Sloane a peck on the side of her neck before leaving her to her task. Once in the living room, I settle on the sofa with my iPad and tackle the piece for the client first. He sent some videos of his wife who lost her battle with cancer last fall. There are pictures of them but not many in the last few years. He wants something that shows her as she was in those final months as she battled her illness, but still show her strength and their love for one another. Watching the two of them banter in the videos and then some where she breaks down in tears, overcome with grief at what the cancer was taking from her is heartbreaking. I hope I can bring the emotions to the art that he’s hoping for.
A soft knock on the door interrupts my work. I set the iPad down and walk over to the door to see who it could be today. We’ve had countless visitors since Sloane was discharged from the hospital. I’ll be glad when it slows down and goes back to just being us.
I peek through the side window and nearly choke on my own tongue when I discover who’s on the other side.
Mom and Dad.
Why are they here?
Fuck.
With a sigh, I open the door. Mom’s eyes drop to my shirtless body and her face sours like she’s been sucking on a lemon. I wave for them to come in and snag my shirt off the couch. By the time I’ve thrown it on, my parents are standing awkwardly in the living room.
I never really thought my parents were uppity, but seeing them in Sloane’s cozy, normal living room, they certainly look out of place. Mom’s designer handbag probably cost double what Sloane pays every month for rent.
“Hey,” I say in greeting. “Have a seat.”
They both sit side by side on the sofa. Sloane slowly walks into the room and stands close to me. The tension in the air is thick enough to damn near choke on.
“You need to sit down too, babe,” I say, gently guiding Sloane over to the recliner. “You got your way and unloaded the dishwasher. Now rest.”
She smirks at me but obeys. I help ease her into the chair and snag her blanket from the end of the couch. Once she’s settled, I can relax. I find my mother watching me with confusion in her eyes.
That’s right, Mom.
I’m a man who cares for his woman. Not some reckless child you think I am.
I bite my tongue, choosing not to say those very words. I don’t want to cause any more tension. Sloane is broken up about the idea of Mom hating her. It hurts me too. They’re best friends. Their friendship can’t end over something like this. It’s just not fucking fair.
Dad clears his throat. “So how are you feeling, Sloane?”
“Better than you’d think considering I took a bullet in the back. I’m anxious to get back to work.”
My father nods as though he approves of her answer. Mom purses her lips but doesn’t speak. I suppose it’s better than her yelling at me.
“Jude sent me information on those bikers,” Dad says, voice tight. “Basic stuff like all their criminal records, police reports, family, etc. Nothing telling. More than likely, their illegal activities that they haven’t been caught for have remained off the radar, especially if they’re dealing with cash. If there was something to find worth anything to tell, he’d have found it.”
Annoying as fuck, but not surprising. Silence fills the room and awkwardness settles over everyone. It’s obvious they didn’t both show up just to give me that useless update.
“Jamie,” Sloane says softly, voice filled with pain. “I’m so—”
“Please,” Mom chokes out. “Don’t.”
Sloane slumps, defeated by Mom’s dismissal. Anger swells up inside me. I sit on the arm of the recliner and take Sloane’s hand in mine, squeezing it to show my support.
“Mom,” I grind out. “This has to stop. You’re making this all about you and it has nothing to do with you.”
She gasps, eyes widening. “Dempsey.”
Dad frowns but doesn’t interrupt. I take it as a sign to keep pushing.
“No,” I say firmly. “You’ve punished us enough. You need to either get on board with us or get out. I won’t have you making us feel like shit for loving each other.”
“I…”
“You, you, you.” I sigh heavily. “Think for five seconds, Mom, that this is real because it is. You’re hurting two people you care deeply about because you don’t approve of the relationship. It’s selfish.”
Sloane is tense, her hand turning clammy in mine. I stroke her with my thumb and bend down to kiss her hand.
“I know this is hard for you to believe,” I tell my mother, “but I love Sloane. More than you could ever understand. I will do whatever I can to take care of her and make sure she feels adored like she absolutely should be. You of all people know what sort of shitty life she’s had when it comes to family. You—all of us—were her found family. She found and chose you to be hers. Now you want to throw it all away because she fell for your son?”