Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 113837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
The image of him mowing his lawn that day when I was at Nora’s sprung to mind. All muscles and sweat. Hell, I’d pay him to mow my lawn. Shirtless. So would all those Barrington housewives. “I can see why that’s plausible.”
“And FYI, the shit money those rich assholes do pay to have their lawns mowed isn’t close to enough to cover bills. Because I did try it before I started dealing.”
“I’m not judging,” I said quietly.
I’d seen enough of Bellamy’s life now to know it was hard. There were enough people in this world making far more money than him, doing seriously immoral shit beneath the veneer of CEO or politician.
He tossed the football a few more times before flipping onto his stomach. “I don’t do it because I want to, Drew. I don’t wanna be that person.” His brows pulled together. “People do what they have to, you know?”
“I can’t pretend to understand.” I stroked my thumb over his cheek. Bellamy did some unsavory things, but the more I learned about him, I wasn’t sure how bad he actually was. Wasn’t this just survival? “But I can see it’s hard.”
He nodded to his dresser. “Open the top drawer.”
“Okay…” I got up and opened the drawer. An envelope stuffed with cash was tucked in the back corner amongst a nest of socks.
“That’s what pays the bills and has for the past two years. I seal it up and write our address on it and mail it to her. Because she sure as hell wouldn’t take it if I tried to just hand it to her.” He half-laughed. “Prays every night to bless whoever sends it. Hate to tell her the prayers don’t work.”
Bellamy was eighteen and bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“So just… whenever your dad tries to act like he knows who I am.” Seconds of silence ticked by while Bellamy stared at the ceiling. “That’s who I am. I steal and I deal and I fuck shit up, but that right there is why.”
“Bellamy…” I walked over to the bed and crawled over him. His hands went to my waist as he looked at me. “I know who you are.” I pressed a kiss to his jaw. “You’re a bad boy.” Another kiss. “Who’s secretly good.” And another. “I won’t tell anyone, though, because I have a reputation, and I can’t be dating good guys. I like to piss my dad off.”
He smirked before I kissed his lips.
38
Bellamy
“Not going to church…You should be ashamed of yourself.”
Pops shook his head and closed the front door.
I looked at Drew. “He’s not going to church. He’s going gambling.”
“I’d rather play poker than go to church,” she mumbled.
Mom bustled around the corner with a full face of make-up.
Everything about her looked ten years younger because that asshole was out of the house. The restraining order was now official and I couldn't be happier. They’d given dad a court date, although he’d got out on bail.
“I’m taking Arlo over to Genie’s,” she said, “and I’m going to stay and talk.”
Because she’d never been able to just go do things on her own outside of work or grocery shopping. He wouldn’t let her. She felt like she had to explain. And that made me feel like I should have beat that fucker’s ass to the point of death long ago.
“Love you, baby.” She leaned over the couch and kissed the top of my head.
“Love you too.”
Arlo raced into the room, exchanging some weird handshake with Drew before he followed Mom out the door.
“Hey! Butthole!” I called over the back of the couch. “Are you going to tell me bye?”
He ducked his head around the front door. “Bye, Bubba!” Then he was gone.
“I’m favorite.” Drew smirked.
“Good to know his loyalty can be bought with Push-Pops.” I leaned over, sinking my hand between her thighs. “Just like this pussy.”
“Rude.”
“It’s really not.” I slammed my lips over hers, threading my fingers through her hair before I slipped my tongue between her lips. The more I was around her the more I couldn’t get enough of her.
The alarm on my phone went off, and I tossed my head back on the couch. “Shit. I gotta go do something.” I pushed to my feet. “Come on.”
A slow smile overtook her face. “Is it something illegal?”
This girl liked a thrill too much, and I liked that she liked it. “Of course.”
We pulled up to Hendrix’s house and Drew lifted a brow as we climbed out. “Should’ve known.”
Hendrix opened the door, took two steps out, then shook his head. “This is bullshit, Bell.” He pointed at Drew. “That right there is walking, fucking bullshit.”
“Shut up, Hendrix.” I shoved past him into the living room and toward the back porch.
“Seriously. You seriously brought Drucella over here for our man shit. You disappoint me.” Hendrix kicked the screen door open, mumbling under his breath as we followed him outside.