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)
I went through the procedure by myself. I learned that day that my father really loved his mistress. Loved his other family.
My father took care of his family; like any man in love would/will do. Jaxon made me kill mine.
I didn’t know which one was the cruelest awakening of it all.
Hate.
Was my meaning of the word love.
<>D<>
I opened my door and instantly embraced her.
“Kid, what an awesome surprise. Come in,” I said. She walked in, and we sat on the couch. I hadn’t seen her in a few weeks.
“Can I get you something to drink?” I asked.
“Yeah, I’ll take a Diet Coke.”
“So what’s up, Kid? I haven’t seen you in a few weeks,” I said, handing her the drink.
“Not much,” Ysabelle replied.
I had known her for a little over two years now. I would be turning thirty-two soon and she was finally eighteen; although she didn’t know that I knew. She quit my bar a few weeks ago, saying she wanted to experience something different. I let her go, wanting her to get the chance to do whatever she desired. I would always look out for her. She meant that much to me.
She was still very much the little girl that was guarded behind a wall that I was never able to get over. She wouldn’t allow it. I didn’t know a damn thing about her past, but I recognized the look on her face often. She was running from something and I prayed that one day she’d find what she was looking for. She was a good kid. She deserved it. I wanted her happy, like I made sure my mother and sisters were.
“You look different,” I said, taking in her appearance. She looked more grown up for some reason. I couldn’t place my finger on it, but she looked like a woman, no longer the young woman that walked into my bar. I was like an outsider looking in again.
“I do?”
“Yeah, the clothes, your hair, and the makeup. You look great. Thought to give yourself a makeover, huh?” I chuckled, trying to relieve the worry from her beautiful face.
“Yeah… something like that. How are you? How’s the bar?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Same ole, same ole. Nothing is too different. I hired a new girl, she’s young and eager.”
“Didn’t take you too long?” she expressed with jealousy in her voice.
“You know how Miami is, there is always someone looking for a job. They come here thinking that they will become models.” She nodded in agreement and seemed less anxious and nervous.
When she scooted over on the couch and pulled me into a tight hug, I was utterly caught off guard. Ysabelle wasn’t an affectionate person. I hugged her with the same enthusiasm she was sharing, one hand on her lower back and the other on the back of her head.
“Are you okay, Kid?” I asked with the concern in my voice evident.
I felt like she was going through something big and she wanted to tell me, but for some reason couldn’t say the words. I had learned she was like that a lot of the time. I could read her fairly easy, but there were times like this, where I had no idea where she was coming from or what was going on. It scared me. I worried about her constantly.
I didn’t want her making bad choices or decisions. I wanted her to feel safe and secure. When she allowed me to hold her, I felt like she was allowing me to transmit some of those emotions onto her. She was letting me care and tend to her. It relieved me, because I knew she wouldn’t do that with anyone else.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just, I don’t know, I guess I miss your ugly face, a little,” she joked.
“You just remember one thing. This ugly face is here anytime you need anything. I’m pretty good at fixing leaky pipes and stuff,” I reassured, hoping that she knew how serious I was being.
She laughed. “You are not. You suck at fixing leaky pipes. We dirtied every towel in this house; trying to sop up water. Remember? You forgot to shut the water off.”
“Nah, I did that on purpose. You busting your ass on the wet floor was worth the mess. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard.”
“Mmm hmm, and you called the plumber the next day on purpose too, right?”
“You’re still a brat; you do know that, don’t you? You’re crushing my ego here.”
“Thanks for being there when I needed you,” she said, getting serious again.
“Hey, you sure you’re okay? Something’s going on. Talk to me, Kid.”
I desperately wanted her to open up to me, but I knew the more I pushed her, the less I would get. She didn’t operate like that. She would tell me when she was ready.