Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 131209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
It immediately brought back memories of my father and I wanted to brush the streaks of tears away just like I had when she was little.
“Liv, I’m not mad, I’m… I’m shocked. I didn’t want this for you,” I explained.
“But I’m happy; I’m really happy, and I know we’re young, but Mom and Dad were—” She stopped, and I’m sure it was because she caught my facial expression. “I mean… we love each other and it will be okay; everything will be perfect.”
I nodded, trying to hold back my emotions and temper. “You’re not working. I’ll continue to pay for your personal stuff and you’re not dropping out of school, do you understand me?”
She vigorously nodded, smiling.
“I don’t care if we need to get a nanny to help you out, but school comes first. And I cannot guarantee that I’m not going to kick John’s ass for knocking you up.”
She giggled.
“And I would be honored to walk you down the aisle. I’ll pay for the wedding. You’ll have the wedding of your dreams… you’re not going to the courthouse.”
“Devon you don’t—”
“That’s my nephew or niece in there, Liv. I can’t have them not have the best. We can throw you a nice baby shower here at the bar. I can close it down for your friends.”
“Oh my God, Devon!” she shouted, getting up and jumping in my lap with her arms tightly around my neck. “I love you so much, thank you.”
I hugged her back with the same enthusiasm and silently prayed that I was doing the right thing.
One thing was for sure…
She wasn’t the baby anymore.
But I would still always protect her.
CHAPTER NINE
<>B<>
“Congratulations, graduates,” the principal announced on the microphone. We all threw our caps in the air; it was official, I was a high school graduate.
I had been accepted into UM and decided I wanted to stay in the city. Miami was home to me and I didn’t want to go anywhere else. I looked up at the stands to where my parents and sisters were sitting and there was no sign of him. Not that I expected him to be there. We hadn’t spoken for several weeks, not since the beach.
“Are you ready for a night of debauchery, my lady?” Christine chimed in.
I smiled, laughing. “But of course.”
“What time are your parents leaving the house?” she asked as we walked away from our families and to my car. I had picked her up that morning; we had to be at the ceremony earlier than the arriving guests to rehearse though I didn’t understand why. You stood when they called your name, received your diploma, and threw your cap in the air. The end.
“They’re going to make sure that the caterers and party planners have set everything up and then they are out.”
“Where are they going again?”
“I think just somewhere in Fort Lauderdale. They want to stay close, just in case,” I said, pulling out of the parking spot.
“I still can’t believe they are letting you throw a party without them being home. That’s fucking awesome; my parents don’t trust me to make dinner.”
“That’s because you almost burnt your house down.”
“Oh my God, that only happened like two times.”
I shook my head. “Have you talked to your brother?”
“Yeah… he said he couldn’t make it to graduation because he had to talk to his professor about his summer internship or some shit like that.”
I nodded.
“Or maybe… it was because he didn’t want to see your heartless ass since you dumped him.”
I looked over at her, concerned.
“What? I know chicks before dicks and all that… but still… you know you broke his heart.”
“I know.”
“You’re such a bitch. I don’t know why I’m friends with you.”
I pouted.
“Oh yeah… it’s because I love-ed you. I totes forgot.”
I rolled my eyes, laughing.
“Maybe he will come to your party?”
“I doubt it. I’ve tried to call him a few times and it always goes to voicemail.”
“Have you left one?”
“No.”
“Then how is he supposed to know to call back if you don’t leave a message?”
“I’ve texted him, too.”
“Maybe he’s dyslexic and can’t read text messages? What? It could happen. You should just show up at his apartment, naked.”
“I’m not going to do that,” I replied.
“Why not? I have seen you naked and you have an amazing body; I’m sure he will appreciate it. Men love naked girls, Cosmo says so.”
I laughed again. “Can you be serious for five seconds?”
“I just want you and my brother to get back together… please…”
“Christine, we were never together.”
“Right, and Lance Armstrong didn’t land on the moon.”
“He didn’t… that was Neil Armstrong.”
She cocked her head to the side. “Oh yeah… Lance is the guy with no balls. Can you imagine not having balls? Can you still come with no balls?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Can you still get hard?”
I shook my head. “Why are we talking about this?” I questioned, confused. This was our friendship, random.