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 never said I wasn’t going to handle this.”
“Cool, but while you’re at it. You need to deal with your anger. You have a son and a wife. What she did, she did—”
“Stop, stop right there. I’ve never told you all the shit I’ve told her. You don’t know what it’s been like to wait for someone that never came back. To have everyone you love leave and never come back to you.
“Please, don’t side with her because she knows me and she left me, hurting me more than anyone else because it was her choice.”
“Was it?”
“Yes, Will, it was. She chose to run, she chose to leave, she chose not to trust me,” I seethe.
“She chose to protect you and everyone you loved, Anthony. Stop being an asshole. Life is too fucking short and you, of all people, know this.
“She sent your son to meet you when she couldn’t get near you. I think that counts for something.”
“It does, Pit. A broken heart. I’ve looked at him, wishing he were ours since the first day. More lies, more anger, more hurt. That’s not just going to go away.”
“Maybe not, but I see you ready to put up a wall, so it never does. I’m just here to warn you. Don’t.”
With that, he turns to leave. “Pit,” I call.
“Yeah.” He turns to look back at me.
“Thanks. You didn’t have to drop what you were doing for this. Thanks for being here.”
“Anthony, I will always be here for you. We’re not kids anymore. I don’t need permission to be around you or someone to bring me over.
“I’m always going to come running when you call. You’re one of my few. You’re not alone, bro. We’ve got you.”
Chapter 30
I Want to Fight
Alexis
I’m sitting out on this huge wraparound deck, taking in the crisp air. The place is gorgeous. This cabin has Ven written all over it.
These soft outdoor chairs are like a hug at the end of a long, hard day. I snuggle down into the blanket around me and try not to feel sorry for myself. Kid returned to Vander, so I don’t have anyone to talk to.
“I was hoping to get to talk to you alone,” Ven says, pulling me from my thoughts.
I stand corrected. My big cousin is here. I’m just avoiding her out of guilt.
I should have told her about Ant from the beginning. I don’t think it would have changed much, but I wouldn’t feel so bad now. I can hardly look at her because of the guilt.
“I came out here to breathe. Ant doesn’t seem to want me around and AJ is having such a good time with his dad and uncle.”
I shrug and look down into my mug of hot chocolate. I wish it were something stronger. I have a pounding headache and I’m still worried about what’s going to happen.
“I need you to know something about my husband,” she says, taking the chair next to me. “When he takes care of something, he takes care of it. He gets shit done. You’re coming home. I don’t care who’s threatening you.”
Tears burn my eyes and spill over. “I believe you, but what do I have to go home to? My dad is dead. My husband hates me. How will I make money?”
Ven pulls a face and whips her head back. “Hold on. I thought you would be tougher after living in New York. What’s this shit?” she says with a frown.
“The Lex I know would lace up her boots, walk up to that man and remind him why he married her to begin with. Nah, you have a son with that man. Find your inner bad bitch and handle your shit. Yes, there’s nothing you can do about Uncle Lester.
“But you can get your husband back and the offer still stands to work with me. We can add the bike shop on and the track.”
I smile and scoff. “No victims.”
“I used to love it when she told us that. That’s why I hate what’s happened to you and Shawna so much. We were raised to fight. Anyone, anywhere, anyhow.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“No, I don’t think you do. At least, I think you forgot who you are. I was the prissy, spoiled one.
“I understood what Mom wanted from us as I watched you. You were always in the middle of something that forced you to fight. I admired that.
“You didn’t have half of what Shawna and I did, but I wanted to be like my little cousin so much because you had the one thing we didn’t. That grit, the confidence to demand respect and the fight Mommy had.”
“You admired me?”
“You have no idea. Your little ass would knock someone out for blinking at us wrong. No one was telling you to walk this way or sit like this. I wanted that freedom and fire.”