Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 82282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Her shoes were what stopped me in my tracks, though. They were motorcycle boots, with pink laces.
On Viddy, though, they were the absolute cutest thing I’d ever seen.
Smiling, I walked hand in hand with her until we reached the front door before saying, “I don’t care who you’re a bitch to. As long as it’s not me.”
“Not even your mom?” She asked over her shoulder.
She had a grin tipping up the corner of her lips, but I didn’t take the bait. “If that pleases you.”
I knew she wouldn’t be a bitch to my mother. In fact, she’d go out of her way not to be a bitch to her.
My mom was a hard woman to be mean to. She was friendly and considerate. But she also could give just as much as she could take. She had to with three boys that were all within three years of each other.
“Glad to see you could make it back.” My mom said disapprovingly.
I shrugged unapologetically. “Sorry.”
I took a seat beside my mother and pulled her into a hug. “What are you doing here?”
“What, you think that I wouldn’t come see my boys when they’re all in one place for once?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.
I snorted. Should’ve known she would be here. She always came down before, and this time she had extra incentive. Mainly in the form of Viddy.
“I stand corrected. Viddy, why aren’t you at work?” I asked making a show of looking at my watch.
She glared at me. “Teacher in service. You would know if you hadn’t left without waking me up first.”
I held up my hands in surrender. “I tried, to be honest. You weren’t waking up, though. After the third time of you telling me to ‘fuck off’ I left you alone.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and refused to answer.
My mother thought that was hilarious, though.
“Trance has always been a morning person. I remember when he used to wake me up at four thirty in the morning, no matter what I did to tire him out the night before. Do you know how hard it is to tell this cute face no?” She gestured to my face.
I rolled my eyes, and found my stare caught Bree’s fuming one, but I quickly looked away, instead focusing back on Viddy.
She was nodding sagely. “The man has dimples. Where did he get the dimples from? I see those and I just melt.”
Oh, Lord.
“He tried to get away with a lot of stuff growing up. They all did. You should’ve seen him the day they tore my garden up with our new tiller. The entire thing was destroyed, and they all sat there crying with their little dimples, and I forgave them like the sap I am.” She said emphatically.
“I seem to remember plenty of times when I got the belt growing up.” I scowled.
“From your father. Never from me. He’s immune to the dimples since he has them.” My mother smiled warmly.
“Did dad come with you?” I asked.
She shook her head. “No, he couldn’t get out of work on such short notice.”
Their food came, effectively shutting them up, giving me the time to do my own talking.
“Today, I plan on running a few errands. I have to stop by the police station and make a report. Then I have to do some training with the dogs. What are y’all’s plans for today?” I asked.
“Movies.”
“Lunch.”
“Shopping.”
“The boats.”
Their answers were rapid fire, and it was clear that they’d had this planned out for a while.
How they were going to fit all of that in was beyond me, but who was I to say what they could or couldn’t do. In addition, it worked for me. I needed to do some things that I didn’t really want to worry Viddy anymore than she already was.
“Okay,” I said and stood. “I’ve got an appointment I can’t miss with Loki at work. Call me if you need anything.”
With that closing comment, I gave my mom a peck on the head, Viddy a long, slow, wet kiss, and walked out the door.
It didn’t surprise me in the least that Bree was standing by my bike when I got out there.
“What do you want?” I asked once I got close to her.
“You know what I want.” She said quietly.
I shook my head in exasperation. “A couple of years ago, what you wanted would’ve really been a top priority for me. I’ve got a new woman though. One I plan to ask to marry me. One that’s going to be my old lady once I get the patches for her. You had your chance to have me a long time ago, and you blew it when I needed you most. I honestly could care less what you want. Move your ass so I can get done with my business and get home to my girl.”
I hadn’t planned on saying that aloud.
Hell, I hadn’t even admitted it to myself yet, and here I was telling the whole world of my plans.
Somehow it felt right, and I was going to make sure Viddy knew the way I felt about her. One slow step at a time.
Tears started to stream down her face, but I ignored them, got on my bike, and wheeled out of the parking lot. Leaving the woman that tore my heart out behind for good.
***
“There’s no surveillance feed of what happened?” I asked in surprise.
The complexes advertised the safety features of the apartments. ‘We have cameras on all angles’ my ass.
“No,” Loki shook his head. “We’ve got nothing. The angle would’ve worked if the panel van wasn’t blocking you from its view. And then when he took off, he ran away from the cameras, so all we have is the back of his head.”
Sebastian and Kettle, who were sitting at the table with me looking over the surveillance tapes as well, let out curses.
“Did it look like Paul?” I asked.
Loki shook his head. “No, this guy was shorter. Stockier. He had blonde hair, too. Not brown like Paul’s. Longer too.”