Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
But maybe we’re turning a corner now. After all, I suppose the Housing Office has given us the green light, and we’ll be moving into a family apartment instead of living in our dorms. Not only that, but maybe Rolly’s hit it on the nose. Maybe I should start acting like a wife and pay my respects to my new father in law, even if the older man is in prison.
“What did you say your dad was locked up for again?” I query.
My husband looks up from his phone.
“It’s something related to crypto,” he says. “I’m not even sure what exactly, but I know my dad got involved in that debacle.”
I nod.
“But was he trading crypto, or did he start getting into NFTs, or did he have an exchange that went bankrupt?”
Rolly shrugs, looking down at his phone again.
“Seriously, I don’t know because he never really told me about it. Besides, it all happened so fast. Just last year, my dad was doing really super well and bought an amazing apartment right on Central Park. But I think the Marshals Service confiscated it after he was convicted, and as far as I know, there aren’t any hidden assets or anything. My mom’s been paying my tuition,” he clarifies.
I nod.
“Ah. I see.”
Rolly shrugs.
“It’s fine though. I’m just glad my mom is around because you know my parents were never married. So really, you and I are breaking new ground, Tess,” he says, slinging an arm around my shoulders. “The Barkers don’t generally tie the knot with their women, but I’m happy to pledge my allegiance to you. Forever,” he emphasizes with a loud smooch on my cheek.
I wince a bit again because as always, Rolly’s kisses come with a serving of saliva. It’s a little gross. I suppose it works great when he goes down on me during our lovemaking, but otherwise, kisses from him generally aren’t anything to write home about. I wonder if he has a salivary-gland problem, and make a mental note to follow-up with him about that later.
“Okay, okay,” I grumble a bit. “I’ll go with you to Fishkill then. You did say your dad’s at Fishkill Correctional Facility, right?”
Rolly’s eyes light up as he nods happily.
“Yep, so it’s only a two-hour drive. We’ll have to rent a Zipcar, but that’s okay, right? I mean, it won’t be too expensive.”
I cringe a bit because inflation has been skyrocketing recently, and if I’m not mistaken, it’s going to be two hundred bucks to rent a car for the day after gas and tax are included. But I nod because family comes first. We should pay our respects to Mr. Barker because he is my new husband’s father after all, and I’ve never really gotten a chance to interact with him. Plus, I hate to admit it, but I’m curious. When Mr. Barker dialed in to attend our wedding ceremony virtually, I was taken aback by how handsome he was. The man had flashing blue eyes, night-black hair, and strong, masculine features, even if he was dressed in an orange jumpsuit. Plus, Mr. Barker’s not that old, come to think of it. I think Rolly was the product of a youthful hook-up, and as a result, his dad’s probably only in his early 40’s.
But then I shake my head at myself. What the hell am I doing, thinking about my father-in-law like this? Even worse, the man is in prison, so I’m literally fantasizing about a convicted felon. Still, the memory of his flashing blue eyes have stayed with me these past two weeks, and I can’t help but wonder if Mr. Barker’s as arresting in real life as he is on-screen. Probably not because I think Zoom has a built-in filter that smooths out skin texture and makes you look better in general, so it’s likely just a mirage.
Still, I can’t help but be curious, so I nod again.
“So when are we going?” I ask.
Rolly nods happily and winks at me.
“This weekend,” he chirps. “I’ve already put your name on the visitor list because I knew you’d agree to come. Thank you, Tess!” he burbles once more before taking my hand and pressing a kiss to it. “You’re the best!”
I smile wanly because sometimes, I feel more like Rolly’s mom than his wife. It’s just his exuberant behavior, and the oddly chivalric way he behaves on occasion, as if he’s been reading books about knights in shining armor who save princesses trapped in castles. But this weekend, it’s not a princess in a tower that we’re going to save. Instead, we’re visiting a dark, dangerous man who’s been put in the slammer for very real crimes … and to my chagrin, I want to see Mr. Barker in the flesh.
CHAPTER 2
Roland
It’s visitation day today, and the guards let me know that both my son and his new wife are coming to pay their respects. Not only that, but Rolly’s applied to use one of the family visitation structures out in the back of the prison complex, and so we have a cabin all to ourselves.