Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“Do you need any help?” she asks, and I hand her the decorations Tenly gave me.
“Here, put this up somewhere.”
Taking it, she looks it over, unsure of what it even is.
“Paige! Paige!” We both look up to see Layla waving in our direction. She’s wearing a black strappy shirt, with dark as night baggy jeans and chunky shiny boots. But what’s really catching is her parents are outside with her. I didn’t think they would participate, seeing as they don’t do anything with any of the neighbors.
Layla’s dad, Earl, is pale and balding, his belly robust and nearly popping through his striped button-up shirt. His wife, Melanie, is in a flowery blue tie-dye dress, her dark hair pulled into a tight ponytail. She’s pretty, her face clear of any blemishes, eyes wide and beautiful.
Paige turns on her heel and heads toward Layla. Not knowing when I’ll have another chance to meet Melanie, I head in that direction too.
“Hi, it’s so good to see you guys!” I say, with so much energy you’d think I was a kindergarten teacher. This place has really done a number on me, because if someone came up to me, the way I just did, I’d think you we’re trying to sell me something.
“We always try to make an appearance at these things,” she says, glancing over at her husband for backup.
“Yeah, but we like to stay to ourselves. Less drama that way,” he clips, and although he comes off as an asshole, I totally get what he’s saying.
The twins, dressed in red shirts and shorts, come laughing and running between us; they’re so cute but definitely look like trouble. I don’t know how Melanie does it with four kids; I can barely keep up with Paige.
“Sorry about that,” Melanie mutters with irritation, “they are like little Wreck-It Ralphs.”
“Little shits more like it.” A tall boy that resembles Melanie grumbles from behind her. The oldest son I assume, he looks to be a little older than Paige and Layla, but he’s not dressed in all-black like his sister. He’s wearing a baggy shirt with an image of a rapper on it, baggy shorts with long socks and some Air Jordans.
“Excuse me?” Melanie whispers, turning her back on me and pointing her finger at her son while muttering at him.
“That’s our son, Kingston,” Earl says, placing his hands in his pockets, his fingers jumbling some change around while he looks out amongst everyone scrambling to get everything together for the party.
With a fake smile on my face, I nod. Feeling like it’s time to walk away, I say, “Well, it was nice meeting you. I better get back and see what Tenly wants me to do next.”
“Ugh, Tenly,” Earl grumbles, his voice trailing off.
Turning around, I chew on my cheek, thinking over everything I just encountered. The mother seems normal, but that’s about it.
I go to Owen and Flynn’s table, and it’s covered in a flowery cloth with two big jugs of lemonade and mason jars on each side with flowers inside them. Thirsty myself I grab a cup and begin to pour myself some.
“Hey, that’s for the party, bitch!” Owen says, cutting up some fresh lemons.
“I can’t help it. It’s hot and your table looks so inviting!” I tease him about the decorations.
“It looks nice because we did it, not Tenly!” Owen sneers, as if I’m supposed to know what he’s talking about.
“Tenly wanted us to put lemons all over the table, but it was a bit tacky and would attract flies, so we did what we wanted.” Flynn explains with a shrug of his shoulder. Thank goodness my pie goes on a combined table of desserts, and I don’t have to have my own table. I probably wouldn’t have anything but my pie on it.
Hours pass by until the sun kisses the ground, leaving a hue of orange and pink in the sky. Neighbors from our block and others are here enjoying our festivities, the smell of cooked burgers and hotdogs hanging in the air and making everyone’s stomach growl.
Paige is sitting in a chair next to Layla and her brother, talking and having fun. It’s the first time I’ve seen her smile in days. It warms my heart to know she’s okay, that she’s going to be okay, no matter what happens in the coming days.
“Damn Straight” by Scotty McCreery comes on, and I can’t help but sing the first few lyrics.
“Wanna dance?”
Startled, I turn around to find Rhodes standing there with a sexy smirk on his face.
“Is anyone dancing?” I look around, nervous everyone will look at us.
“Who cares.” He shrugs and takes me by the hand. My cheeks flush, heart beating as everyone watches us. He stops in the middle of the road and pulls me close. His right hand clasps mine, while his other one wraps around my waist. I keep looking down to make sure I don’t step on his boots as he sings along to the country music. His rough voice copies Scotty’s soft tone. Trying not to laugh from the nerves bubbling in my stomach, I look to the left of us and see Paige looking at me with her mouth open, eyes smiling.