Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“I think I get it,” she mutters.
“What?”
“Nothing, where is he?”
“He’s posted up on my couch. Made me put that show on the big screen.”
“Ki,” I turn to find AJ standing between the living room opening and the hall. He’s looking at me cautiously with a little smile.
“Hey honey, how are you feeling?”
“Ow, ow, boo-boo, Da-da. All better,” he replies.
“Oh,” Kid gasps and turns to look up at me.
“Yeah, that’s been happening all night. Listen, Kid. I think it’s time I meet his mom. I don’t even have her number. I should’ve been able to call her myself.”
“It’s fine. She’s working. You wouldn’t have been able to reach her anyway.”
“Weren’t you at work?”
“I was. When you called, I took a break and ran outside.”
“That’s why you were out of breath?”
“Yeah, you never call when you have him. I figured something was wrong. By the way, why were you calling? He fell while you were talking to me, right?”
I purse my lips. “It’s nothing. Just make sure I get to meet his mom soon. Where did you say they live again? Maybe I can fly out with you to take him back this time.”
“I… um…”
Her phone rings and she pulls it from her pocket. I glare at her, reading her body language. Too bad my phone rings as well.
“Hey, Skittles,” I answer the call.
“I just wanted to check in. Is he okay?”
“Yeah, he’s fine,” I say as I look toward him and Kid.
“Listen, there’s something else I wanted to talk to you about.”
“What’s up?”
“I want to surprise Pit for his birthday. I’m trying to come up with what to do.”
I suck in a deep breath. “How about a trip with the crew? I know a lot has changed, but maybe you guys can make it happen. A trip to the cabin at the very least.”
“I was thinking about that. I’ll ask the guys, see if we can make it happen. There’s still plenty of time.”
“Keep in mind Uncle Blake wants us to head to Greece with him.”
“Ugh, I know. Do you know when?”
“Not yet. We haven’t talked about it yet.”
She falls silent. As I look at AJ, my thoughts go to my dad. Maybe I shouldn’t get involved in the little guy’s life. Especially with how little I know about his mom and knowing who I am.
I could be placing them both in danger. I don’t know why I thought my life wouldn’t change. I haven’t had anything to force me to think about what’s coming.
However, change is knocking at my door. It’s been inevitable. I’ll have to walk through that door sooner rather than later and everyone around me will be affected by that change.
“Something big is about to change, isn’t it?” Skittles asks as if reading my thoughts.
“Yeah, it is, but he wouldn’t want you to worry about it.”
“Yeah, okay. Thanks for the suggestion. Give the little cutie a kiss for me.”
Chapter 25
Studio Time
Alexis
This is why you don’t lie. As soon as you do, it’s like the universe hears you and makes whatever you say come true. That’s why I’m here now.
I was pacing the apartment, wondering how Ant and AJ’s visit was going when the call came in for a twenty-four-hour block out. Some guy with deep pockets wants me to come in and write some hooks for his artist.
I didn’t have a gig when Kid told Ant I had to work and couldn’t spend AJ’s birthday with him. I get to spend every day with our son. I wanted Ant to have this special day.
Lord knows AJ babbles about his Da-da nonstop as it is. All he has to do is see one of the pictures I keep around the apartment and he gets started.
Da-da this and Da-da that. I don’t mind, I’ve purposely placed the pictures around and told AJ who Ant is. I think it’s adorable.
It’s thinking about my son and my husband that’s driving the words of this hook. I sit listening to the beat and bopping my head. The turmoil of my situation swirls inside me.
I hum to myself. “Can’t take back…” I hum. “Hmm.”
I growl and ball up another page. The kid I’m writing for comes over and sits beside me. He bobs his head and starts to hum the hook I was murmuring to myself. He’s been watching me.
I don’t mind. Many times, I get annoyed when they hover, but he’s just a kid. I can see the excitement in his eyes.
He picks up the balled-up piece of paper and reads it over. I try to get out of my personal feelings to give this kid something light and fun.
“That’s good. Why’d you trash it? I feel the pain in it. I got some bars already. Sing it for me.”
“You can’t judge me for my past life. You can’t judge me for my past problems. You can’t judge me for my past struggles.”