Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Me: Thank you.
Easton: Don’t know what you’re talking about ;)
“She said I can move in any time,” Kaylee says with a huge smile on her face. “And the price is locked in for the entire year lease.” She twirls around, grinning from ear to ear in excitement. “I can’t believe this place is all mine.”
I should probably feel guilty about whatever strings Easton pulled, but as I watch her face light up in pure happiness and pride, knowing she’ll be safe, I don’t give a shit. Kaylee is mine to take care of. She can have her independence, but she’s still mine.
“He’s calling again?”
“Every day.”
“Brax, please answer him. If you don’t want to talk to him, fine, but tell him that. Stop ignoring him.”
I sigh, staring at the phone, knowing Kaylee is right.
“Dad.”
“Braxton, finally. What the hell is going on? You’re claiming that kid as your brother, and you won’t return my damn calls—”
“He is my brother,” I say, getting out of bed and walking away from Kaylee, who’s lying there. We were in the middle of searching for furniture for her place since she’s moving in this weekend. She wants to be out before Layla gives birth so the Blackwoods have their home to themselves.
“I ran into Denise. She has a husband and three kids.”
“I’m well aware.” Of course, he knew and never said a word to me.
“She had some things to say about you, about what happened when you guys split up.”
“Braxton, let me explain.”
“Explain what, Dad? That you lied to me about how shit went down? That you cheated on her with the fucking nanny and then took me away, filing for divorce and refusing to give her any custody?”
“She didn’t want us! She chose her career over us. I gave up everything for that bitch, and I knew she was cheating. That piece of shit she’s married to... She was cheating with him. It was all over the gossip rags. She wouldn’t admit it, but I knew she was.”
“Or maybe you let yourself believe it because you resented the fact that she was making more money than you.”
“She didn’t even fight for you,” he says, switching gears.
“And you put her in that position.”
We both go quiet, and I wonder if we’ll be able to get past this. If I can forgive him for what he did. I thought I could talk to him about this, but I realize I’m too bitter to have this conversation.
“Look, Dad, I need some time.”
“For what?”
“To deal with all this. You’re saying one thing, and she’s saying another...”
“And who the fuck has been there for you all these years? Who’s had your back? Not her!”
“I know, but I just need some time.”
“Fine,” he says harshly. “I see you’re back together with Kaylee...”
“Dad,” I groan, not wanting to do this with him.
“Just remember when she fucks you over the same way your mom did to me that I warned you. Don’t do anything stupid, Braxton. I’ve seen the rumors about the band breaking up. You’ve worked too hard to—”
“Dad, enough. I said I need time. I’ll talk to you soon.”
We hang up, and I head back inside the condo, where I find Kaylee right where I left her—lying in bed and searching for furniture.
“How’d it go?” she asks, genuinely concerned. She has every right to hate my dad after what he did when we were younger, but she puts it aside because he’s my dad.
“His story doesn’t match hers.”
“Most breakup stories don’t.”
“True. I told him I need some time.” I shrug, and Kaylee nods in understanding, not needing me to say anything more.
“Wait until you see the couch I picked out,” she says, changing the subject. “It’s so big, it’s practically a bed.”
“Good.” I pull her into my arms, tossing her phone to the side. “That will make it easier when I’m fucking you on it because you know damn well we’ll spend the first week at your place christening every inch of it.”
Just as our mouths are connecting, my phone goes off. I quickly check it, seeing a text from Bailey: You’re keeping PR busy LOL
Attached is a picture of Kaylee and me standing outside an apartment complex with the real estate agent with the caption: With the lead singer recently married and about to have a baby, and the guitarist (see image) settling down, we have to wonder what this means for Raging Chaos’s future. What are your thoughts? Comment below...
Kaylee looks over my shoulder and sighs, shaking her head. “They’re vultures.”
“It’s how they make a living,” I say, refusing to let that shit get to me. “The bigger you get, the more they feel entitled to know, and the higher you get, the more they want to see you fall.”
“Yesterday when I was coming out of work, they practically attacked me with questions.”