Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“Oh, yeah. Skid had a list and was going to grab some stuff this afternoon but didn’t get the chance.”
“Where’s the list?”
“I’m pretty sure it’s still on the fridge.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
“I can do it,” I volunteered. “It’s the least I can do after all you’ve done.”
“Hmmm.”
An awkward silence fell over us, and I wasn’t sure what to do or say. The last thing I wanted to do was set him off again, but there were things that needed to be said. I swallowed hard, then forced myself to say, “I didn’t get a chance to mention it earlier, but thanks for fixing my car. I don’t know what I would’ve...”
“It was nothing. Don’t sweat it.” He turned his head slightly—just enough to get a good look at me, then said, “You know, you could sit.”
“I don’t want to bother you.”
“Sit, Jenna.”
I nodded, then skirted past him and made my way over to Luna. I ran my hand over the top of her head as I whispered, “I thought I told you to stay in the room with me.”
“I not sleepy anymore.”
“But you didn’t tell me...” She was too focused on her drawing to pay me any mind, so I decided to just let it go. “Whatcha drawing?”
“A kitty-cat for Mr. Grim.”
“Oh, that’s sweet.” I glanced over at Grim. “I’m sure he will love it.”
I gave her a quick kiss on the forehead, then continued over to the sofa and sat down. I got the feeling he wasn’t in the mood to talk, but I felt compelled to say, “I want you to know that I really appreciate you doing this... I appreciate all of it. Letting us stay here. The car. Everything. And I’m so sorry about earlier with the cleaning. I should’ve never overstepped...”
“Don’t,” he interrupted. “It’s done. No sense going on and on about it.”
“Well, if I could change it, I would. I just want you to know that.”
“Understood.” He turned his attention back to the TV as he asked, “How much longer before she’s in school?”
“It won’t be long. She’s almost four, so I plan to enroll her in pre-K this fall.”
“Hmmm. Thought she was older.”
“I’ve heard that a lot. I think it’s because she talks so well and is so polite.”
“You teach her that?”
“I’d like to take the credit, but I’m not so sure.” I shrugged. “I think it comes kind of naturally or something.”
“That kind of thing doesn’t just come naturally. It’s all you, and you should be proud of that.” He looked over at Luna as he stated, “You should be proud of her.”
“Oh, I’m over-the-moon proud of her. She’s the only thing I’ve done right in this world.”
“I highly doubt that.”
“It’s true.” I ran my hand through my hair, brushing it from my face. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be sitting here right now.”
“But you are sitting here. Things might not be going your way, but you’re alive and well, and your daughter is, too. You’re doing alright.”
“I have no job. No money. And...”
“But you’re trying. There are plenty of folks who would’ve given up a long time ago, so give yourself credit where credit is due.”
“I guess.” I got the feeling that there was something he wasn’t saying, but Grim didn’t seem like the kind of man who could be easily persuaded, especially when it came to talking about things he didn’t want to talk about. I wasn’t sure if he would tell me, but I felt inclined to say, “You mentioned that there was a time when someone had helped you and your mother out.”
“Yeah?”
“Was she trying like I’m trying?”
“She was.” His expression softened. “Like you, she wanted to give her kid a good life, but it seemed like there was always something standing in her way—until she met Gus.”
“Gus?”
“He’s the president of Satan’s Fury in Memphis. He crossed paths with my mother at a diner that they ran. He gave her a job and place to stay until she got on her feet.”
“Sounds like a good guy.”
“He is.” His lips curled into a slight smile as he said, “He made a real impression on me back then. So much so, I decided to join the MC.”
“Wow, that’s some story.”
“Yeah, and one day, Luna will have a story like mine.”
“I hope that’s true.”
“It will be. Just wait and see.”
We went back to watching TV, and I’d all but forgotten that he’d ordered pizza until I heard a knock at the door. Grim stood and twisted his back, cracking his spine as he announced, “That must be the pizza.”
I figured he might need some help with the boxes, so I followed him into the kitchen and waited as he opened the door. The delivery guy stepped in, balancing two large pizza boxes precariously in one hand while clutching a receipt in the other. “That’ll be thirty-seven fifty.”