Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“I don’t care that’s it’s in his handwriting. I get that, but I also know him, and that’s not how he speaks to you. I don’t think there’s a time in space where that man would fix himself to address you like that.
“Cakes, something ain’t right and ain’t never been right about that letter. I need you to make me a promise this time. If you see him, you’ll ask him about it. Please.”
“What difference does it make? It’s nineteen years later and he’s married.”
“Not for long. My mama couldn’t wait to tell me he’s getting a divorce. They’ve been separated for about two years now.”
“That’s still not divorced. Elise, I don’t want to know anything else.”
“Cakes, she’s horrible. Trev has been miserable for years. Honey—”
“Please stop. I’m not going home for him. I’m going to see my daddy. Remember, the man who just had a stroke.”
“Visiting hours don’t last all day,” she mutters.
“Well, it’s a good thing I have songs to write, ain’t it?”
“All I’m saying is, I don’t believe he wrote it to you,” she huffs.
“Then to who? And how did I end up with it? You know what, don’t answer that.
“It doesn’t matter because the fact is, he did marry someone else. I’m positive he signed that marriage certificate and that’s the only ink that matters. That was all the confirmation I needed to know we were done.”
“Lynn, you cut him off.”
“I’m done with this conversation. I’m going home to make sure my daddy is okay and then I’m gonna get him the best care I can find him. Once I know my mama has everything handled and Daddy is okay, I’m coming back home and continuing with my life.”
“You’re wrong, Lynn. I’m your friend so I’m not going to lie to you. You’re dead wrong and you know it deep down in your heart.
“That’s the real reason you never go back. You know if you come face-to-face with him, you’re going to come face-to-face with your truth.”
I jump up from the bed and place my hands on my hips. “Oh, yeah. And what’s that since you know it all?”
“You’ve been alone and hurting for a lie. That man has been pining for you all this time and if you would have shown up, he would have placed the world at your feet because it’s always been you, Cakes. Always,” she shouts back at me, her chest heaving.
“It works both ways, Elise. If he wanted me, he could have come for me.”
“Not when he believes you’re happy. Trev would never strip you of your happiness. Even if it means he’s not there.”
“How do you know?” I bite out.
“Because he was Pook’s best friend and so was I. I may not know him like you two did, but I know enough to know his heart”—she points to the letter. Anger and hurt dance in her eyes—“that bullshit ain’t it.”
I burst into laughter. She looks at me like I’m crazy. I swipe at tears as I continue to laugh. Elise folds her arms across her chest.
“What’s so damn funny?”
“You’ve been holding that in for nineteen years, haven’t you? You couldn’t wait to get that all out.”
“Like you bottled it all up for nineteen years until you had to write an album about it?”
“You deal with your feelings your way. I’ll deal with mine my way.” I shrug.
“Ugh, you’re so stubborn and get on my nerves.” She rolls her eyes at me.
“Help me pack,” I say and move to bump her with my hip.
“Only if you’ll at least consider what I’ve said. If you see him, ask. You have to get the truth from the horse’s mouth.”
“Fine, I’ll consider it.”
Trevor
Brad had to step out to take a call and Nico has gone to the restroom as we wait for the rest of our party to arrive. I glance around the restaurant. Nothing but the best—something I’ve become used to when dealing with Uri and his family.
“We have no problem backing you for this endeavor. We all see Brad as family. It’s LaSalle’s wife who wants to meet you and test your character.
“We are a family. We take care of our own. They want to ensure you have this brand of loyalty. You will have powerful names backing your New York branch.
“Do you think you are up for this? I don’t vouch for just anyone, but my wife likes you. It is because of her I have come all this way,” Uri says in that unusual accent of his.
I give him a nod. “My family means everything to me. I’m doing this for them. I want to leave my children a legacy when I’m gone. I’m forty.
“With the stress I have going on, this may be my last chance to do something to leave them with something that will last a few generations.”