Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 80074 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80074 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Where was he going with this?
“I still remember the sound of her petrified voice down the hall. Panicking to my mom that the monster under the bed was gonna get her. She heard him. The creature was in her room, tormenting her. So, my mother walked her back to the room and stayed there with her. I couldn’t sleep, tossing and turning until I finally found myself standing at the edge of the bed in Harley’s room. Staring at her the same way I am now. Wholeheartedly captivated by her.”
“Oh my God,” I whispered so low, narrowing my eyes at him.
“I gravitated toward her without even realizing it. I laid down beside her and watched her sleep for I don’t know how long. My hand gravitated toward her face, pulling the hair away from her cheek, just like this,” he stated, placin’ a stray piece of hair behind my ear. “Once again, consumed, enthralled, held captive by the beauty that is my wife.”
Tears slid from my eyes, and I sucked in my lower lip. My heart was beating profusely, poundin’ against my chest.
Was he going to tell me he loved me?
Here?
In front of all these people?
“I didn’t know it then ’cuz I was too young, but that was the moment I knew she was mine. She’s always been mine.”
I’d be lyin’ if I said I wasn’t disappointed he didn’t say I love you to me.
My heart skipped a beat the second he went on with, “I lo—”
“Jackson! Can we expect to see more little ones in the near future? Maybe a baby brother or sister for Bailey?”
That made his eyes snap to the interviewer, breakin’ our trancelike state.
Son of a bitch.
“We’re not having any more kids.”
I wiped away the tears, squeezin’ his hand under the table, knowin’ the reason behind his abrupt reaction.
Sniffin’, I got my shit together before mutterin’, “What my husband is tryin’ to say is Bailey’s enough for us. She completes our family.”
Everyone awed, and Jackson’s stare shifted back over to me, thankin’ me with his eyes.
“All day need is me,” Bailey voiced, blowin’ a kiss to the crowd.
Everyone awed again.
“Jackson, how is your family?”
“They’re great. Thanks for asking.”
“Well, we know your brother Jagger is CEO of a multimillion-dollar corporation. He’s one of the most eligible bachelors according to Forbes. Any advice on how to tame him?”
He scoffed out a chuckle. “My brother is reserved. Quiet. I’ll be surprised if he ever settles down. His company is the love of his life.”
Jagger opened a business, building it single-handedly from the ground up, it was his baby. He lived and breathed his job.
“And your baby sister, Journey? How is she? She was last seen on her Instagram, cheerleading for her high school.”
“Yes. She’s a freshman this year. Still very much a free spirit. She plans on studying abroad for college at Barcelona University, I believe.”
“My auntie Neyney is my best fwend like momma. She teaches me howta dance, like dis.” Bailey stood up and started shakin’ her booty.
The reporters busted out in a fit of laughter while Jackson’s face read nothin’ but of a man who was gonna kill his baby sister.
Bailey and Journey had a very special relationship and bond since day one. They loved each other. Journey babysat her niece all the time. They became attached at the hip, havin’ dates where they’d go get their nails done together, playdates at the local park, and Bailey’s favorite, Sunday mornin’ tea parties. She was constantly over the house, teachin’ Bailey how to dance as well.
After all these years, Journey still had a profound love for music. The girl shook her ass everywhere she went. Her dream was to travel all over Europe. Definitely livin’ up to her name. She was a wanderlust at heart, and I knew for a fact she wouldn’t stop until she’d seen the whole world.
“And your other siblings? There’s seven of you, correct?”
“Correct, and an adoptive brother, Curtis. Everyone is doing great. My parents are actually right there.” He nodded over to them. They were standin’ in the back of the room, proud as fuck of their boy.
They adopted Curtis, who was a few years younger than us, back when they first got married. He was Camila’s old neighbor’s son from the hood. His mother couldn’t provide for him, so they took him in. He was now running a club with Aunt Camila’s best friend, Dante.
Let’s just say Uncle Aiden and Aunt Camila’s love for one another showed through all the kids they had together. I swear the woman had been pregnant for the last ten years they’ve been married.
Raisin’ their own football team.
My parents, on the other hand, couldn’t make it to the big game. Luke was graduatin’ from the Army the same week. He served four years, followin’ in our father’s footsteps. Bringin’ the flag home. My baby brother was the spittin’ image of our old man. From his appearance to his tattoos, to his over-the-top alpha demeanor.