Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Ollie jumps up and down excitedly. “Well, any time you want pineapple pizza, I’m your guy, Aunt Nat. I’ll eat it with you.”
They both walk ahead, and I listen to them laugh and joke with each other. All this time, I’ve kept their interactions limited, and they’ve missed out… because of me.
When we get inside, Ford is waving at us, and we make our way to a table in the back. The place is packed, and we squeeze between all the tables to get to our family. Ford, Lilian, Huddy, Elle, and Austin are all sitting down. “We went ahead and ordered pizzas since they were getting so busy. We got a little of everything,” Ford says.
Ollie slides in to sit next to Ford. Nat slides in next, and then I follow, still holding her hand. I just don’t want to let her go.
Natalie looks around the table. “Where are Lucas and Issi?”
Elle leans forward with a grimace on her face. “Issi was tired, so they went home.”
Natalie nods, and we all listen as Ollie tells everyone what Nat’s favorite kind of pizza is. When the server comes, we order drinks, and I make sure to order Nat a pepperoni and pineapple pizza. All this time, I had no idea that she even ate that on her pizza. She always just said whatever was fine when I asked her. I want to kick myself because now I'm wondering what else she has given up because of me.
We talk about the soccer game and Blaze Whiskey, and Elle asks Nat about the gym. It seems like no time at all has passed before they are bringing all the pizzas out. “And last but not least, I have a small pineapple pizza and a small pepperoni and pineapple pizza.”
Natalie looks at me, surprised, and smiles. “Did you order that?”
I nod. “Yeah, I didn’t know it was your favorite. I know now.”
The look she gives me makes me want to order twenty more pizzas especially for her. I’m learning that it’s the little things that she appreciates. I think she’s happier right now than she was when I gave her the diamond earrings she’s wearing.
I release her hand so we can eat, and I notice my brother across the table barely eating. “What’s up, Austin? Where’s Ally?”
He looks down at his plate. “She’s on a date.”
The whole table goes silent. “A date?”
He nods. “Yeah, a date.”
I shake my head. “You fool.”
Austin's jaw tightens, and I wait for him to say something. He looks around the table and then back at me. “Yeah, I’m a fool.”
Thankfully, Ollie isn’t aware of the change in the atmosphere because he asks Nat, “After you’re finished, can you play games with me?”
Nat doesn’t hesitate. “Absolutely.”
I walk up to the stand and put money in to buy some game cards. When I get back to the table, I hand one to Ollie and one to Nat.
Nat is biting into her pizza, and Ollie is practically bouncing in the seat next to her. I’m about to offer to take him so she can eat, but she puts the pizza down and pats her stomach. “I think I’ve had enough. I think we should go play. What do you think, Ollie?”
I’m about to tell her she should eat when Ollie practically vibrates in his seat.
“Yes!” he cries, and I’m practically shoved out of the booth so they can go.
“You want me to come with you?” I ask Nat.
She pats me on the chest. “Nope, you go ahead and eat. We’re fine.”
I sit back down and try to eat. The conversation goes on around us, but I know it won’t take long for any of them to ask what’s on everyone’s mind.
“How’s it going?” Ford asks first.
And then Huddy joins in. “Yeah, did you get your shit together?”
I can’t help but laugh at his bluntness, but my hands fist on the table. “Yep, we’re working it all out. I won’t let her leave me. I’ve been a fool, but I’m making it right.”
I look at Austin when I say the word fool. He rolls his eyes and looks back down at the table.
We talk about everything but mostly about Isabella and Lucas. I’m just about to get up and go search for Nat when one of Ollie’s friends runs into the dining room. “Beau, come quick, Ollie needs you.”
Every one of us are out of our seats. My stomach drops, wondering what has happened, and we follow the boy through the maze of the arcade games and people until I see Ollie sitting on the floor next to Natalie.
My nephew is all right, but Natalie isn’t. She’s sitting huddled up with her head in her lap. Ollie looks up at me with tears in his eyes. “Uncle Beau, she just sat down like this. She said her head hurts and she can’t open her eyes. Is she going to be okay?”