Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 73(@200wpm)___ 58(@250wpm)___ 49(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 73(@200wpm)___ 58(@250wpm)___ 49(@300wpm)
“I don’t know what to say,” I admit to him because it is the truth. I have never opened up and told anyone my truth, but for some reason, I want to tell him.
“Okay, how about I start? I was engaged once when I was in college. I thought I was in love with her, willing to do anything for her, but when I took her home for the first time to meet my family, she told me she needed more than that when she realized my future was at the hardware store. The funny thing is when she handed me back the ring, I didn’t get upset, my heart didn’t ache, and I felt only relief. That was the day I figured out that I wasn’t in love with her. I was in love with the idea of love.” Wow. My mind spins with information, making me want to tell him everything. “Alright, your turn.”
Nodding, I take a deep breath. “I lost my parents five years ago and I was adopted by them.” He grasps my hand, and his face shows sympathy.
“I’m so sorry for your loss. May I ask a question?”
“Yes.”
“Have you thought about finding your birth parents?”
“I have actually. I took a blood test and submitted it to a blood mapping place. I am really looking to see if I have any siblings. I didn’t like being an only child.” This is nuts. I have given him three truths in less than an hour. He is dangerous.
Just then, I see the bus coming down the road, and it makes me sad that our time is up. “Would you go on a date with me?” Okay, so I may be jumping up and down on the inside, but I manage to hold it together on the outside.
“Yes, I would love to.” Smiling, he nods his head, waits for me to board the bus, and then I see him walk away.
When I finally make it to work, I’m bombarded with information and decisions that need to be made. Since being promoted, I have begun to get bogged down with paperwork and a lot of responsibility.
“June. June over here.” I turn when I hear May’s voice and smile, waving her over.
“Hey, May what’s up?” Although I know what she wants.
“Nothing. Just coming to say hi and to see if you heard anything yet about the DNA test?”
“No. Not yet, but I promise you will be the first to know the minute I do.” Her eyes are full of excitement. I admire her. In love, married, and pregnant. I want that life.
“You should meet me for lunch today.”
“That sounds good. See you at twelve?”
“Yep, see ya.” Maybe the rest of the day won’t be so slow.
CHAPTER
FOUR
OWEN
I drink the beer my sister-in-law handed me a few minutes ago while I listen to my brother talk. He’s telling me about my nephew Jason’s baseball game. I missed this morning’s because the store was open. I usually can make it when they play in the afternoons.
“Mom is almost done with dinner,” Olivia says, walking past us. She doesn’t stop, and Buck doesn’t stop talking, either.
“We’ll be right in, Liv,” I call.
“So what’s been going on with you?”
“Not much. Store’s good. I’m good.”
“You ask June out yet?”
“What?” I ask, almost choking on my beer.
“We all know. You’re not exactly subtle, brother. It’s very clear you’re in love with her.”
“Shit. Does she know?” Fuck, I sound like I’m in middle school and not the thirty-two-year-old man that I am.
“She’s probably the one person in town that doesn’t know. Ava knows.” Ava is my ridiculously adorable three-year-old niece. Fuck.
“What do I do?”
“Ask her out. Have lots of sex and babies.”
“What?” I ask, stunned. I’ve never actually put my thoughts into words before.
“Come on. We have the same genes. You know you fucking want to.”
“Fine,” I say, agreeing with him. All I can think about is her round with my child, with my ring on her finger and my seed dripping from her cunt. I groan.
“You’re thinking about it right now, aren’t ya?”
“Shut up, bro,” I tell him, and he just laughs.
“It’s our greatest curse. This is exactly how I felt when I met Gina.”
“In seventh grade.”
“I didn’t know what I was feeling then, but I knew she was mine.”
“Yeah, she’s mine,” I say, taking another drink of beer. My throat is suddenly dry.
“Dad felt the same way for Mom. Gramps for Gran and so on since the beginning of time. It’s a curse.”
“It feels like a gift.”
“It feels like that now. Wait until you’re out with her at the bar, and some motherfucker looks at her, thinking he can take what’s yours. It’s not pleasant then, I promise you that.”
“Fuck.”
“Yeah.”
“Carlos Morales?”
“2007. I kicked his ass from here to Manassas,” he replies, grinning.
“Dinner!” Mom calls from the kitchen.
“What do you suggest for a first date?”