Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 116708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
“This place is a fucking wreck. What half-bit contractor did you hire? Did you even check his references? The primer is sloppy and this tile is awful.”
My blood began to simmer as I stared at him, irritated at his unannounced visit and downright pissed at his appraisal of the hard work Truett and I had put in. But this was not a fight I was interested in starting, so I swallowed the frustration in the name of ending this conversation as quickly as possible. “Is everything okay? What are you and Nate doing here?”
Still ignoring my questions, he planted his hands on his hips. “I told you they weren’t going to take a woman seriously. I’ll put in a call tomorrow. It looks like you’ve been condemned from outside with all the newspaper on the windows.”
I ground my teeth. He had always been an asshole, but hearing him insult the newspaper Truett had carried down the street, just to ensure that I was safe from Folly’s prying camera lens, sent me over the edge.
“I do not want you to call anyone,” I seethed. “What I want is for you to tell me what the hell you’re doing here and then leave.”
He eyed me with his own secret recipe of arrogant disgust. “Why are you always so dramatic? Mind cooling it with the cusswords? My son’s here.”
My back shot straight. He cussed like a sailor, but oh yes, me saying hell was going to corrupt our son who was in the other room. I could not roll my eyes hard enough.
Lucille cleared her throat. Sticking a hand out, she said loudly, “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Cooter.”
Like the complete prick he was, Jeff looked at her outstretched arm before tipping his chin up, refusing to shake her hand. “Your parents should be arrested for naming you that.”
When her mouth fell open, I quickly took a step between them, hoping to end the violence before it started—though I made a mental note to circle back around to that comment should I ever find myself in a room with the two of them while my son was not in earshot.
“For the last time, what’s going on?” I snapped.
Jeff plastered on a condescending smile, evil Hyde morphing into Jekyll. “I was just trying to look out for you. I could have this place ready for you to open in no time.”
“Thanks,” I said dryly. “But I’ve got it under control.”
“Suit yourself. Look, I’ve got a last-minute business meeting in the city. I’ll be back in time for a late dinner. So don’t let him eat too much junk.” He tucked a hand in his pocket and shouted toward the kitchen. “Nate-man. Be back in a bit.”
“Wait. What?” I looked around, projects I needed to tackle evident in every corner of the room. “You can’t just drop him off. I have a lot to do today and he’s going to be bored out of his mind here.”
Jeff had the absolute gall to look confused. “Are you saying you don’t want him?”
“I didn’t say that,” I hissed.
“That’s what it sounded like to me. Funny, I’d do anything to spend more time with my son. He’s always my first priority. My mistake for assuming he’d be yours too.”
The sheer hypocrisy of Jeff dropping Nate off with me so he could go to work while expecting me to cancel work to spend time with my son was astounding. But this was nothing new. Hypocrisy and gaslighting were his preferred methods of communication.
“Of course I want to spend time with him. But I’m not on call for you twenty-four-seven. I’m working here too.”
He arched a challenging eyebrow. “I’m not sure we can call sitting on your ass gabbing work, but sure. Whatever you have to tell yourself.” He pulled his phone from his pocket. “I’ll call my sister. I’m sure she’d be happy to help you out today.”
Help me out?
Help me out?
It took everything in me not to explode on this prick. But I’d learned he feasted like a tick when he was able to set me off. Cool, calm, and firm was the only way to fight his toxicity.
I painted on a smile. “Nate can stay, but I want him overnight too. I’ll drop him off on my way to work tomorrow. And maybe next time, give me a little heads up before showing up here out of the blue.”
He barked a laugh. “You might want to reread our custody agreement. It’s my night with him, Gwen.”
“And it’s your day with him too. But here you are, asking me for a favor. If I’m sacrificing a full afternoon of work, I’m going to make the most of it and take him to do something fun on a Friday night.”
He scoffed. “Like hanging out with Dylan and her spawn?”