Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
“Not this time, sweetheart. I’m going to work right after, but I’ll be home early tonight.” I gave the guys this morning off. They’ve been working a shit ton of hours, picking up when I wasn’t around. The look of relief was written on my brother's face, the same for Shaun, and a couple of the others. Plus, I needed this morning off to fix the epic fuckup I’ve become with Kody. Jesus, last night while I was looking in the mirror, I wanted to punch something. The something was me.
“But Kody my fwend.” Josephine pulls away, popping her lower lip out to get me to agree with what she wants.
“She is your friend, and hopefully, you can see her tomorrow.” Mom’s eyes zero in on me, a frown marring her face. I’m going to have to come clean about how I’ve been the biggest asshole in all of Lane County. Mom really shouldn’t be surprised. This is who I’ve always been, a lot like my father, whereas Matthew is more like Mom.
“Fine.” She crosses her arms over her chest, juts her chin, and taps her foot on the floor. Christ, the sass that comes from my daughter. Teenage years are going to be hell on wheels, and I don’t even want to think about when she starts dating. The only good thing coming from her fierce independence and attitude is she won’t take shit from someone like me.
“Love you, JoJo. So much,” I tell her.
“How much?”
“This much.” I spread my arms out as much as I can, and her frown is turned upside down.
“Love you lots.” She gives me another hug, and I stand from my crouched position. “I go pway,” Josephine tells me and her Nan the plans she has before her little feet take her into the den.
“Hopefully? Jameson Michael Evans, what did you do?” Mom reads me like a fucking book. There’s no hiding from her, except I’ll be damned if I spill every single thing.
“I’ve been a dick, I know that, you know it, hell, Kody knows that. Words aren’t my strong suit, and last night was probably the worst. So, I’m going to meet her for coffee, try and apologize, schmooze her with one of her favorites, and come up with an agreement in the terms of her babysitting Josephine as well as a price.” Matthew came in clutch when I told him I was hoping to meet Kody. He snickered. I asked if he had any insider information since he and Shaun are fucking closer than close. His words to me were ‘I fucking knew it,’ then he texted me her order, where she likes to hang out after she grabs her coffee, and how she’s going to need help this weekend for her photography stand. I knew about the last part. What I didn’t know was the latter. Josephine is going to be there, but so will I, bright and early to help set things up, and hopefully, Mom can bring JoJo when it’s time.
“You better fix it. My granddaughter loves her, we love her, and that’s what matters. I don’t know why you have to be such a grump ass like your father, but it’s going to shoot you in the foot one day. There aren’t a lot of women out there who are willing to put up with your shit. I know that for certain. Good grief, you Evans men are going to drive me to drink,” Mom grumbles as she moves around the kitchen, closing cabinets harder than normal, dumping utensils in the sink with a loud thud, and she won’t stand still. Fuck, the way she is laying it out on me, I’m guessing she and Dad got into it today. I just so happen to be taking the brunt of it since he’s nowhere in sight.
“I’m going to, promise. Thank you for watching Josephine for me. Would you mind watching her this Saturday while I help setting up her booth, and then bring JoJo so Kody can do her thing?” I’m trying to sugar her up, and from the way she slows down on her tirade, I’d say it’s working. There’s nothing my mom would love more than to see me settled down and Matthew and Lacey with a child or three of their own.
“That’s not a problem. I was planning on going either way. I’ll keep Josephine here Friday night instead of Saturday night. That way, she doesn’t have to wake up early.” I nod in agreement.
“Thanks. Now I’m outta here. Anything I should tell Dad if I happen to see him in town?” I ask, trying to figure out what the hell happened.
“As a matter of fact, will you drop off his lunch? He was grumbling and groaning about teenagers not showing up to work, so he was called in at the last minute. Why can’t he go down to part-time or retire already? We’ve worked hard enough. I’d like to go on a vacation every once in a while.” Ah, that would do it. Dad and I just talked about him slowing down, and clearly, he’s not up to it just yet.