Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 114647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 459(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 459(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
I’d repeated the sight of seeing her barely covered and fingering herself repeatedly in my mind numerous times since it’d played out. It’d been three days, and I’ve been semi-hard since.
The hard part wouldn’t actually be in convincing her, though. It would be in convincing her brother.
“I’ll come meet you there in half an hour. Does your truck run good?” I asked.
Sam had finished her truck in less than a day and a half, putting new spark plugs, headers, exhaust, and tires on the truck. Then he’d proceeded to tune up everything that he could. As well as changing all the fluids and running a performance test on it. To say he felt bad would’ve been exaggerating.
“It ran great,” she agreed. “I’ll have to remember to thank Sam for getting it done so quickly.”
I snorted. That was what the man was hoping. He’d about killed himself getting her truck running perfectly, and refused anyone’s help when it was offered.
“Alrighty, see you in a few.” I said and hung up.
“What’s that look for?” My sister asked from beside me.
My eyes turned towards her, and I groaned. “Why are you so worried about it?”
She turned her nose up at me, and started walking towards her truck. She was dressed in scrubs, about to head to work for the night. Seeing her dressed in those clothes reminded me of how proud of her I was. She’d overcome a lot, sacrificed so much to take care of Janie while I was deployed and following my career, that I would be forever grateful.
“Janie’s being picked up by mom tonight, don’t forget.” She said, opening the door to her Silverado.
“Sam know you’re driving your truck?” I snickered, goading her.
She lifted her lip in a mock growl. “Careful, James. I have a new sticker to put on your truck.”
“Don’t you dare! I’m tired of having to keep a razor blade in my pocket.” I commanded.
She smiled cryptically, and then laughed. “Hey, make sure you ask Shiloh if she wants to go camping next weekend. We’re going to Caddo Lake. Mom’s watching the kids. No excuses.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’d planned on asking her tonight. Although, I thought that your husband might grow a pair and ask her.” I joked.
She rolled her eyes. “Got another dinner and movie night going on?” She asked as she threw her nursing bag into the floorboard.
“No, not tonight. Shiloh’s house was released as a crime scene and she’s going home.” I answered, trying my best not to sound bummed.
“You’re gonna be my brother in law.” She snickered.
“What?” Sam barked from behind us both, causing us both to whirl around, guilty looks on our faces.
“I didn’t do it!” She screeched.
Sam’s scowl turned on her, and she jumped into her truck, slammed the door, started it with a roar, and took off in a spray of gravel.
I tried to sneak away while his attention was otherwise occupied, but he sensed the movement and returned his attention to me. “What did she say before she left?”
“To ask my brother in law if he wanted to go for a beer tomorrow.” I said, covering for Cheyenne’s big mouth.
His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t call me on it. “Okay, sounds good. How’d Shiloh’s truck run?”
“Good from what she told me. But she only drove it about three miles to work, so I’m sure she hasn’t figured out that you put a chip in it yet.” I laughed.
“It gets better gas mileage.” Sam grumbled.
“Yeah, I’m sure that’s why you did it.” I laughed. “Sam, why don’t you just try to talk to her? Make an effort. She’s a kind person. She wouldn’t have stuck around this long and kept trying if she wasn’t.”
“I fucked up. I was so hurt that I didn’t realize what I was doing. Keeping her at a distance was to protect me, and I regret it with my every breath. I could’ve lost her the other day, and I never even knew her. What kind of a brother does that?” Sam sighed and hung his head.
“A brother that was confused and overwhelmed. I think you’ll find a companion in her. She didn’t have the best of childhoods either. Seems to me like y’all could compare notes.” I explained before heading for my bike.
Sam stood with his head down, and didn’t look up to me as I passed on my bike. I wasn’t worried though. Sam wasn’t the type of man to let things fester. He was a fixer and a doer. He’d get this ironed out with Shiloh, and they’d have a relationship. Which just added one more hold that kept her firmly ensconced in my own life in return.
I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket as I pulled onto Shiloh’s street. However, it wasn’t until I ignored it for the third time, and pulled into Shiloh’s apartment lot that I was able to get to it.
“Hello?” I greeted my lawyer cautiously.
Normally he just left a message if I didn’t answer, and it alerted me of something wrong when he kept calling.
“James,” He greeted tersely. No bullshitting for him, which I liked. “I just received notice that Janie’s visitation with Anna will start this weekend. She’ll have four hours of supervised time starting at ten in the morning Saturday.”
My breath hissed in between my teeth, and I squeezed my eyes shut tight. I heard Shiloh’s truck pull into the spot next to me, but I didn’t acknowledge her presence. Instead, staring at the speedometer on my bike, eyes locked to it like it was my lifeline.
“Do I get to approve the supervisor that stays with my child?” I asked, pinching the bridge of my nose hard.
“Actually, yes, you can. You have a few options in that department.” He explained them to me.
“So, you’re telling me if the person I choose is a certified social worker, I could have them supervise the visit?” I asked once he explained the options to me.
Looking up, I caught Shiloh’s curious eyes on me, wondering where I was going with that line of conversation, and what I was talking about in general.