Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 99766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
“I can’t wait to see you on your birthday,” Penny says, her voice cracking just slightly. “See you soon.”
We all say our goodbyes and then the screen goes black. I lean my head back and stare up at the popcorn ceiling that Roan already told me he wants to tackle after the kitchen.
I miss Penny.
Fuck, I miss her.
She’s just this gaping void in the center of my chest. I thought I’d fill it up with Zella, devoting all my love and attention her way. Turns out, there’s still room for Penny. Zella misses her just as much as I do.
“Hey, Zella?”
“What, Daddy?”
“You want to go on an adventure?”
“Yes!”
I may have a hole the size of Texas in my heart, but Zella’s happiness sure echoes beautifully inside it.
“Say goodbye to Sebban, baby. Our adventure awaits.”
Penny
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
I try not to focus on the way Tierra taps her nails on the countertop as she grins at Dad. But I can’t help it. She does it with just enough force that it echoes loudly inside my skull.
Again.
Again.
She won’t stop.
“Tell me,” Tierra says, taunting Dad for the millionth time.
“No.” He folds his arms over his chest and shakes his head, earning a laugh from Jace, who sits at the kitchen table. “It’s none of your business.”
“How am I supposed to help if you don’t tell me?” she sasses, her black eyebrow arched high on her forehead.
“No one asked for your help,” he bites out, irritation in his tone.
“But you still need it.” She scoffs, finally stepping away from the counter where she’s been incessantly tapping. “Face it. You strike out a lot.”
“I don’t strike out,” Dad grinds out.
“Gary’s more of a home run kind of guy,” Jace offers. “He doesn’t mean to hit a grand slam every time and have these bitches planning their wedding by the end of dinner. It’s not his fault he’s a total package that every single female in this goddamn town wants.”
“Aww,” I tease. “You sound bitter, pet. Jealous?”
“Not jealous,” Jace clarifies. “In awe. He gets marriage proposals and I can’t get a chick to commit to dinner. I mean, I like getting my dick sucked as much as the next guy, but give a man a break. At least let him buy you dinner first.”
I roll my eyes and pretend to gag myself with my finger. “Maybe you should move on to guys. Haven’t you tried dating everyone in Hood River?” I snort. “Remember that time you accidentally got yourself matched up with Aunt Karen?”
Dad chuckles. “That date lasted all of three seconds.”
“Fuck you all,” Jace grumbles, making sure we all get to see his middle finger. “Maybe a guy will appreciate me for my fine conversational abilities.”
“Nah, but he might switch it up and want his dick sucked,” I throw back.
“Enough dick talk,” Dad groans.
“I’m eighteen, Dad,” I say, grinning wickedly at him. “I can talk about all the dick. I’m an adult now.”
“If you start dating guys, Jace,” Tierra chimes in, “don’t tell Loden. He’ll totally stalk you.”
Jace rolls his eyes, grumbling. “If I ever did date guys, it sure as hell wouldn’t be him.”
“Maybe he needs a daddy,” I taunt, unable to hold back a laugh.
“Ground your kid,” Jace says to Garrett.
“You can ground me,” Tierra says to Dad, batting her lashes.
“Stop flirting with my dad.” I poke her in the stomach. “He’s old.”
“So? David Beckham is old. Still hot. I’d do Beckham any day of the week.”
“Unbelievable,” Dad grumbles. “Go home, Tierra.”
“You’d miss me,” she sasses, stepping on her toes to plant a kiss on Dad’s cheek.
He chuckles. “Keep telling yourself that, princess.”
“That’s queen to you, sir.” She smirks.
The doorbell rings. I nearly leap at the chance to leave this conversation. Tierra always flirts with Dad. I’d say she was just messing with him, but I know her track record with older men. Luckily, I don’t think she’s Dad’s type. He likes frosty, bitchy women who have clout in this town. Dad wants a trophy. An armpiece. He doesn’t want a naughty girl with daddy issues.
I fling open the front door, expecting to see Charlotte or anyone else. Not Terrence and Zella. The last time he showed up on my doorstep, he broke up with me. Gone, though, is the hard look in his brown eyes.
He’s smiling.
Happiness looks good on Terrence.
“Oh, hey,” I choke out, shocked at their arrival.
Zella flies at me, hugging my legs. I’m surprised when Terrence steps forward, also enveloping me in a hug. The surprise at having them here at my home has me stunned silent. I try not to behave like a creep and inhale Terrence’s soapy scent.
God, I’ve missed him.
Too soon, he pulls away. The grin on his face remains.
“Daddy and I are going on an adventure,” Zella says to me, looking up with a huge grin. “Can you come too?”