Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“Miss Yander,” Linc said, walking to the door. “We need to have a talk.”
“When you’re done, Linc. You and I need to talk.”
Turning to glance at his father, he frowned, not a fan of the tone. “About what? Is something wrong?”
No answer came. Linc sighed and pushed the door closed.
“What do you need to talk to me about, Pops?”
Uncharacteristically somber, his father cleared his throat and rocked on the heels of his dress shoes. “Hear me out.”
Arms crossed over his chest, he reclined against the door, unhappy with the flipflopping emotions racing through him like a roller coaster.
“About?” he encouraged.
“Adam.”
Ice poured through his veins. “No.”
“Son, listen.” The senior Mr. Conner stepped toward him.
He sliced a hand through the air. “Enough, Pops. I love you and I am doing my best to respect you but you’re trying to mend something that’s not going to be fixed. Those bridges are burned. I’m out. Out! My professional career is over and I don’t relish the idea of sitting around with people who still have the option to play, listening to them bitch about stats.”
“If you gave them—”
“This conversation is over.” He turned his back and exited his office. It wasn’t until he’d made it partway down the hall and out to the baseball field when he realized that children were avoiding him.
He was scowling and stomping like a T-Rex who’d had his meal taken away.
Being raised by a single father, he didn’t often end a conversation like he’d just done, but right now he wasn’t able to be polite.
Thinking about his ex-teammate and how things had gone down after his injury didn’t exactly put him in a mood to be charming and PG-rated.
Linc took deep breaths as he stood behind the protective screen looking over the empty field. Fingers curved into the cool metal as he struggled to calm his heart rate. He tipped his head and closed his eyes as the sun warmed his skin.
Why can’t these fucking memories leave me alone?
At his side, his phone rang and he groaned, pressing his forehead against the metal. One hand tugged it free and he looked at the screen.
“I’m on my way,” he said as soon as he swept accept. He had a center to focus on.
…
Several weeks later, Emma quickly finished up the last tasks she had to do at her job, determined not to miss Greer’s first game. Her little girl had blossomed at the community center and she couldn’t even begin to describe how that made her feel. Her shy girl had taken a back seat to the much more outgoing one who made an appearance during baseball.
Making sure all her things were put away, she punched out, picked up her purse, and headed out the door. Her boss, Mr. Perry, was still inside but she didn’t want to talk to him.
It took her a minute to remember she’d not taken her car today because it was on its last legs and wouldn’t start for her, but Dawson had lent her the Acadia she’d purchased when she’d first arrived in Rock Falls.
Emma fished the keys out of her purse and unlocked the door.
“Emma!”
Her boss’s voice turned everything inside her to sludge.
“Yes, sir?” She turned around and hid her revulsion as he approached. How this man managed to run a food establishment, she didn’t know. But it was a job and it managed to keep the roof over her and Greer’s head. She didn’t have a lot of options. The one job—an office job—that she’d liked had ended when her boss had passed away.
It didn’t help that her father had been the town drunk and a bastard, but she’d never graduated high school either. Most people looked past her.
“I need you to cover another shift.”
“No, my daughter has her first baseball game today. I told you that weeks ago and I’m on my way now.”
“I don’t give a damn about what your little spawn is doing. Millie wants to leave early, so you need to finish out her shift.”
Was he kidding? Millie hadn’t even been there for one hour, and Emma had been on her feet for ten already.
“No. I can’t. You’ll have to find someone else to do it.”
He scowled at her. She got it. She got more tips than the other women because she was nice and made sure customers got what they asked for while it was still warm. Since he took a portion of the tips, he wanted her working. Plus, because she wouldn’t fuck him, he gave her the shit hours.
“How about this?” He glared at her. “You either get your fat ass inside and back to work or don’t bother coming back.”
Her chin wobbled. She couldn’t afford to lose this job. Tears of frustration burned her eyes and she prayed that one day Greer would understand the sacrifices she’d had to make.