Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 137077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
This is getting out of hand, fast.
“It’s not like that,” I say, trying to sound assertive but coming off a bit desperate. “We’re just getting to know each other, talking about life and stuff, you know? Like about my foster families and how I came to be a nanny, and Grace and Michelle.”
Something I’ve said sets her off. Though she keeps an eye on me, she speed-walks to her phone and pushes a single button. Instantly, the call connects and though it’s not on speaker, in the quiet room, I can hear Cole say, “Yeah, I heard that.”
They are weird. And creepy. And all up in each other’s business, apparently to the point of eavesdropping on conversations. I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t share anything too X-rated or personal. I’m sure Cole would love to hear about my period cramps or how long it’s been since I had any adult activities.
Janey’s gray eyes stay on me, but she’s listening to Cole, who I can’t hear now, but he’s obviously talking because Janey’s nodding along with something. “Okay, I’ll ask. Love you.”
She hangs up, and the air in the room changes, going heavy. I feel like I’m in trouble and getting interrogated by the police, but I haven’t done anything wrong. Or at least I don’t think I have. But family dynamics can be messy, so maybe I’ve done something unknowingly?
“What do you know about Cameron’s wife?” she says carefully.
“Michelle?” I clarify, and she flinches, her hand going to her chest to grip invisible pearls like I’ve said something offensive. “Just that she passed away in a car accident a long time ago. That’s mostly it.”
He said so much more than that, but that’s between me and Cameron. If he wants to share with others, he will, but I already feel like I’ve said too much and implied something unintentional, so I’m keeping the rest of our conversation on lockdown.
She exhales loudly, her eyes wide. “That’s it?” she repeats. “That’s it? Are you serious? Cameron doesn’t even say her name and you’re going around throwing it out like it’s Beyonce, like it’s something everyone knows and says easily. I didn’t even know who you were talking about for a second because I’ve never heard her called anything other than ‘Grace’s mom’ or ‘Cameron’s wife’.”
What? He doesn’t say her name? I’m surprised by that… because he did. The rest of his story felt like something deeply personal, but just her name is a big deal?
“Uh, well… maybe I shouldn’t have said anything then…” I stammer, trying to backpedal as fast as I can.
Janey shakes her head, her red curls bouncing all over the place. “You should say more, a lot more,” she counters. Then, like she’s not talking to me, but rather the room—or maybe Cole?—she paces and mutters, “He’s talking about her. That’s good. Really good, right? It has to be.”
I think she’s lost it. But when she glances over, peering at me like I’m a bug under a microscope, her eyes are clear and thoughtful.
“Is everything okay?” I venture hesitantly.
She paces a few more steps, but I think the exhaustion must hit her because she flops to the couch, her legs askew and her head thrown back on a pillow. “Yeah, better than okay… I think.” I give her a doubtful look and she sighs. “Look, Cameron’s cold, ruthless, and basically emotionless, except where Grace is concerned. Everyone else, especially people outside the family? Basically, he barely tolerates them. He finds most people to be inconsequential and worthless… again, unless it’s for Grace or the family.”
“You’re making him sound like a total asshole,” I snap.
“All the brothers are assholes in their own ways, but Cameron’s like the Mack Daddy of them.” She laughs at her own joke, but I’m offended on Cameron’s behalf.
Janey is the closest thing to a friend I have here, and I shouldn’t be snippy with her, but my protective nature is rising up. “Maybe he just likes me enough to actually be nice.”
Janey’s not put off in the slightest by my tone. In fact, she looks at me like ‘duh’. “That’s what I’m saying. I think he likes you. And that’s a good thing. Probably.”
“Oh.” My entire defensive line-up of arguments melts away at her explanation, and I sag into the chair across from her. “Uh, well… good. I’m glad we agree, then.”
A smile blooms on her face slowly, like everything I’ve said is sinking in. “Welcome to the family,” she teases. “It’s a wild ride, but it’s a good one.”
“I’m not family,” I argue. “Just the nanny.”
Even as I say it, there’s a pinch in my chest. It’s the truth, and while I’ve been ‘like family’ for lots of people over the years, admitting that this time hurts a little more than usual. More than it should, for sure.