Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“Oh, good,” she replied happily. “Did you like it?”
“It’s fine... It’s a suit.”
“Well, I bet you look very handsome in it.”
My cut was the only jacket I ever wore, and I had no desire to change that. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a choice in the matter. “If you say so.”
“I do say so. I can’t wait to see you in it.”
“You got Dad wearing one, too?”
“Yes, dear.” She sighed. “He will be wearing one, and like you, he won’t be thrilled about it. But the wedding won’t last long, so maybe you two can find a way to suffer through.”
“We’ll be fine.” My encounter with Mrs. Hollings was still fresh on my mind, so I said, “I saw Mrs. Hollings today.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, she was at Marvin’s getting ice cream with some kid.”
“Really? Wonder who that could’ve been?”
“No idea. I would’ve asked her, but she was in a pretty big rush and bolted before I could ask.”
“I’m sure he was just a relative or a neighbor kid. Jane is always helping folks out.”
“That’s what I figured.” Even as I said the words, something didn’t feel right. There was something about that kid that got under my skin, so I told her, “But he looked like someone we should know.”
“Well, I’ll have to ask her about him.”
“Nah, it’s not a big deal. I was just curious.” I glanced up at the clock, and my stomach sank when I saw that it was already after eight. “I better get going. We’ve got a long one coming tomorrow.”
“Okay, sweetheart. Have a good night.”
“I’m gonna do my best.”
I hung up the phone, and after a long, hot shower, I hit the sack. Unlike the night before, I had no problem falling asleep, and I slept well. I woke up the next morning feeling pretty damn good, but that good feeling was shot to hell with a text from Maverick.
Maverick:
We got trouble.
Need you at the club now.
CHAPTER 8
Londyn
I was on the brink of having a nervous breakdown.
I was supposed to meet Skylar at the bar in half an hour, and I had absolutely nothing to wear. I’d gone through my suitcase at least a hundred times, but nothing worked. Desperate, I rushed to my mother’s room and dove into her closet, searching for anything that might work. I was becoming desperate when Mom appeared with a large plastic tote in her hand.
“Maybe you can find something in here.”
“What is that?” I stepped over to her and opened the lid, and to my pleasant surprise, it was filled with some of my favorite clothes from high school. “I can’t believe you kept all of this!”
“I thought about taking it down to the goodwill, but I just couldn’t make myself part with it.” She smiled as she said, “There are a lot of good memories in that box.”
“Yes, there are.” I grabbed one of my favorite sweaters and held it up to my chest as I asked, “Do you think any of this will fit?”
Mom gave me a once-over before answering, “I don’t see why not. You haven’t changed that much since high school.”
“But I’ve had a child since then.”
“Well, there’s only one way to find out.”
“This is true.”
I grabbed a few things from the tote, then made a beeline for the bathroom to try them on. I slipped on a pair of skinny jeans with a black knit top and was hit was a sudden pang of nostalgia. It was strange being back in my old clothes. It felt like a lifetime ago that I had worn them—back when life was simpler, and my biggest worries were getting good grades and making plans for the weekend.
“Lonny, you better hurry up. Malcomb will be here in 5 minutes.”
“I’m coming!”
My room looked like a tornado had come through. Every dresser drawer was pulled out, clothes were strewn everywhere, and I still couldn't find what I was looking for. Out of pure desperation, I shouted, “Hey, Mom! Do you know where my black shirt it?”
“Which black shirt?”
“The one Malcomb gave me for my birthday... the one with the little blue flowers on it.”
We were going to the club house for Cotton’s birthday. I knew it was important to Malcomb and wanted to look extra nice. I’d curled my hair, put on some makeup, and even painted my nails. If I could just find the shirt, I would be set.
I dashed back into my closet and was checking to see if it had fallen on the floor when I heard my mom come into the room. She walked right over to the closet and pulled it right off the rack. "You mean this one?”
“Yes!”
I whipped it out of her hand and slipped it on just as the doorbell rang. “I'll go get that so you can finish getting ready.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
That girl had it made.