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)
4
KODY
“Mornin’, sis. Sleep well?” I walk into the kitchen. My hair is in a sloppy bun with a silk headband holding the front pieces in place and out of my face. I can hear the laughter in his tone as he brings the cup of coffee to his lips.
“Yeah, except all I do is sleep till noon. You?” The smell of coffee is like air to my lungs. I shuffle my feet toward the pot of black gold, not caring that I look like a walking zombie. When I say all I do is sleep in, that’s been the size of it, minus reconnecting with my parents, brother, and, by default, the Evans.
“Like a baby. I’m about to head into work. I’m working late and then meeting the guys for poker at Matt’s,” Shaun tells me. He works with Jameson and Matthew at Lane Grading and Clearing, Jameson’s company.
“Okay.” I grab a coffee mug that Shaun set off to the side. Shocker, it’s black again. My brother needs some damn color in his life, and not in the way of my bright floral full-length fluffy robe. Did I mention his house is also the North Pole but in the south?
“You sure you’re okay, sis?” Shaun is probably worrying that I’m upset or deep in my head. That’s not the case. I’m looking at the powdered creamer my brother uses and thinking it’s sacrilegious to use something like that in your coffee. I make a mental note to stop at the grocery store today, especially after a week of this garbage.
“Yeah, I’m not awake yet.” It’s the truth, really, although with a side of yuck. I’m not a morning person, and everyone in our family is fully aware. I gave my parents a run for their money in my teenage years. Meanwhile, Shaun is the early riser. He also wasn’t the one who felt like they needed to see the world, which also meant he didn’t get his heart torn to pieces like I did. A hard lesson to learn, one I had to learn on my own. There’s a lot of should-haves, could-haves, and would-haves I’d change if I could, except I can’t. So, that means being thirty years old and starting over.
“As long as you’re positive.” This is why I moved in with my brother versus our parents. Not to mention they now have a two-bedroom house and Dad now has a hobby room while Mom has a she-shed in the small backyard. Our parents, Mom specifically, would not let things rest. She’d pepper me with questions I’ve already answered over and over again. I do not need to hash and rehash my past that is my ex-husband. No freaking way.
“I am, promise. I’m going to the grocery store today, so if you need anything, let me know,” I state. “Creamer included.” The comment can’t be helped. Shaun laughs at my dig on his powdered shit, probably has protein in it, too.
“Yeah, I’ve got a list going. I’ll leave you money, too.” I swallow the wrong way when he feels the need to offer cash. Sure, I’ve been a hermit, not spending money, but I do have some set aside even after paying Shaun back for the attorney fees.
“I’ve got it. You won’t accept rent. The least I can do is buy groceries and cook a few meals a week. I’m also going to look for jobs while I’m out.” I turn around, coffee mug in hand. I’m unsure how much more of this hot garbage creamer I can take knowing I’m heading to the store. I might even splurge for a coffee shop cup of coffee instead.
“Kody, you don’t have to get a job right away. Settle in, explore the town, find yourself, or take this time to build up your photography business. I’m not home enough for you to be a burden. Quit acting like you need to leave when you just got here.” My eyes fill with tears, but I refuse to let them fall. I do a lot of blinking, quickly. My makeup from yesterday is only going to make me look worse, and then Shaun is going to get pissed again. A vicious cycle each time I unfold another piece of my disastrous six-year marriage. “Ah fuck, baby sis. Come ‘ere.” Shaun’s arms are open, and because I’m a lover, not a fighter, the tears fall before I can blink them away. My big brother knows what I need. Something as simple as a pep talk and a hug has me ready to cry a river of tears.
“Thank you.” My voice is thick with emotion. Maybe this is why I’ve been sleeping so much, trying to ignore the emotions bubbling along the surface. The tears aren’t over Richie, honestly. They aren’t. They’re over the fact I stayed away from home too damn long and dealt with too much of Richie’s shit that I never should have in the first place.