Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 38335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Turns out, I’m not just a chump, I’m also a pussy.
Annoyed with myself, I climb out of the truck, the brisk mountain air a much-needed reprieve.
“Welcome to our humble abode,” Poppy says to Hollis, spreading her arms wide. “Mi casa es su casa.”
I shake my head, having no idea where she gets this shit from.
Hollis plays right into her antics, giving a curtsy. “Why, thank you, your majesty.”
Poppy giggles in response then runs the pizza inside the house while Hollis and I meet at the back of my pickup to begin unloading.
As I drop the tailgate, I notice her gaze sweeping across the rugged landscape, tracing the snowcapped peaks of the Rocky Mountains that surround us from every direction.
“Gosh, it’s beautiful out here,” she murmurs, her voice carrying a hint of envy. “It’s so peaceful.”
Her admiration catches me off guard. It’s not something I expected, given the money she comes from.
“It’s an older neighborhood, but it’s perfect for Poppy,” I explain, deciding to share why I chose it. “You won’t find any new developments with yards this size, and that’s what I wanted for her. A place where she can play freely and safely ride her bike.”
“I can just imagine all the fun she has out here,” she says, a wistful smile taking over her face. “I would have loved to grow up in a neighborhood like this.”
A grunt escapes me before I can stop it. “Says the girl who grew up in a mansion.”
It comes out harsher than I intend for it to, but thankfully, she doesn’t seem too offended by it.
“Making judgments again, Cross?” she quips, raising a brow. “I thought we were past that.”
“Not judging,” I reply truthfully. “Just an observation.”
She seems content with that answer. “I might have grown up in a big house, but that can get quite lonely when you’re an only child and your parents worked all the time. I was fortunate in many ways, but I didn’t have this,” she adds, gesturing around us.
Intrigued by that response, I casually fold my arms over my chest and lean against my truck. “And what exactly is ‘this’?”
Her gaze holds mine, expression softening. “A peaceful neighborhood with other kids to play with,” she reveals, longing threading through every word. “Never mind the stunning scenery. I mean, your backyard is a freaking mountain. Do you know how cool that is? California is beautiful, but not like this, at least not where I’m from.”
I guess I can see her point. Growing up here, it can be easy to forget that not everyone is fortunate to have views like this. Something many of us take for granted.
“Well, don’t be too envious,” I tell her. “Not all of us who grew up here got to live in neighborhoods like this one.” I regret the words as soon as they leave my mouth.
Sympathy flashes in her gaze, something I neither need nor want.
I decide to end the conversation here and get to work. Turning around, I grab the first of many boxes, the weight of my own past heavier than any cardboard package.
“Hey, Mountie Mike!”
I pivot at my sister’s call.
“Think fast.”
Before I can anticipate what’s about to happen, I’m struck by a snowball, the cold, wet powder exploding against my face.
I blink through the frosty flakes, unamused by the cheap shot. Poppy, on the other hand, falls into hysterics, finding herself fucking hilarious. She quickly scurries into the house, leaving me no chance to retaliate.
Why, that little shit.
A noise to my right draws my attention. Looking over, I find Hollis with her pink-gloved hands over her mouth, her shoulders shaking with silent laughter.
“Something funny?” I ask, my tone as flat as my expression.
She shakes her head, but the snort that escapes her exposes the lie.
It sets her fate in motion. Setting the box down, I take a step forward. “Wanna see something else that’s funny?”
Her hands drop from her face, fear adopting her expression as she backpedals. “Don’t even think about it, Cross.”
I continue to advance, my intent clear with every step.
“I mean it, Mike,” she warns sternly. “There will be serious repercussions.”
I cock a brow, more than amused by that threat. “Yeah? What are you going to do about it, Hollis?”
“Trust me. You don’t want to find ou—” Her words are abruptly cut off as I lunge forward, seizing her around the waist.
She erupts into screaming laughter, squirming in my grasp as she tries to break free. In a swift move, I lift her off her feet and carry her over to the large snowbank that’s nestled in the corner of my yard.
Horror crosses her face when she realizes my intention. “No, please!” she begs, her laughter mingling with desperation. “I’m sorry for laughing. Really, I am.”
I grunt at the lie.
Just as I’m about to toss her into the pile of snow, she shifts her position. “Oh no, you don’t!” Her arms and legs wrap around my body, clinging to me like a koala bear.