Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
“We’re good. Someone threw a brick into the window sometime in the middle of the night,” Tyler confirms.
“Gonna see if the business across the street caught anything on their security camera, but until then, I’ll get this vandalism report filed so you can get it fixed as soon as possible,” Sheriff Todd says.
Tyler thanks him, and we watch him drive off.
“I’ll start cleaning this up inside,” Smith says before walking off.
“Why would someone do this?” I ask. “Someone against you opening?” There aren’t any competitor gyms in town, so that wouldn’t make a whole lot of sense.
“No, actually…there was a note wrapped around the brick.” Tyler looks down, and it’s obvious he’s not telling me something.
“What’d it say?”
He inhales sharply before slowly exhaling. “Umm…”
“Tyler,” I press. “Just tell me.”
He finally meets my eyes, then frowns. Reaching into his back pocket, he pulls out a piece of paper and hands it to me. When I open it, I read the word MURDERER written across it.
Guilt immediately surfaces, and my shoulders drop. “I’m so sorry. This is my fault.”
“No, it’s not.”
I wave the note in the air. “Clearly it is. Someone’s obviously not happy I’m working for you. I’ll cover the expenses.”
“Noah, stop. You’re not paying for it. That’s what I have insurance for.”
“I insist. It wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t work for you. I’m a risk to your business.”
“You’re not risking shit. I couldn’t have gotten this much done without you. Fuck whoever did this. Got it?” Tyler pats my shoulder.
I blow out a frustrated breath. He’s being much more reasonable than I deserve.
“At least let me help clean up.”
“Fine, but wear your work gloves. I’ll get the broom.”
I look around the area and am glad that no other businesses were vandalized.
“I’m gonna look for another job out of town,” I tell Tyler when he returns. “I can’t be the reason Club Blackwood suffers.”
“Absolutely not,” he retorts, handing me the broom. “We aren’t letting whoever did this ruin a good thing. You’re a hard worker, and I need you as much as you need this job.”
“You’re sure?”
“Fucking positive. We’ll get security cameras installed. We won’t let them win.”
“Thanks, Tyler. I appreciate you so much.”
“It’ll get easier, I promise.”
I nod, though I’m not sure I believe it.
“Once you’re done, we’ll get some plywood and cover the hole until I can get it fixed.”
“You got it, boss.”
After Tyler walks inside, I sweep up the glass from the sidewalk and parts of the street. Whoever threw it had good aim and strength. Perhaps Gabe’s dad hired someone, or he did the dirty work himself. I wouldn’t doubt it, honestly.
Tyler, Smith, and I board the window. I try to shake off what happened, but it’s heavy on my mind as I work.
“Hey,” Gemma sing-songs as she strolls in around noon. Though she doesn’t look pleased about what happened this morning, she’s still glowing. I know she’s over the moon excited about the baby, and seeing how happy she is makes me happy.
“Hey, sis. What’s goin’ on?” I ask, wiping off my hands.
“I came here to kidnap you for your lunch break.”
I arch a brow and grin. “Really? What’s the occasion?”
“Nothing. Can’t a sister want to spend time with her brother?”
“Sure, alright. Lemme just wash up, and I’ll be ready.”
Ten minutes later, we’re sitting at the deli and chatting with Belinda. She works the lunch rush, then lets her employees stay till closing. Gemma said once she and Dad started dating, she’s worked fewer hours to spend more time with him. I think the love they have for one another is incredibly sweet and cute.
“I can’t tell you how good it is to see you two in here again. Brings me back to when y’all were in high school and would come in with Everleigh and Katie.”
My smile drops at the mention of her name, and Belinda immediately notices. “I’ll get your orders in and will be right back.”
“Thank you,” Gemma says.
I meet my sister’s eyes. “How’ve you been feeling lately? Everything going okay so far with the pregnancy?”
She places her hand on her belly. “I’m doing really well. I’m blessed to have no problems.”
“Absolutely. So when are we gonna find out if I’m getting a nephew or a niece?”
Gemma laughs as I add sugar and cream to my coffee. “Well, I think Tyler and I have decided to wait to find out, so it will be a surprise for everyone.”
“That doesn’t shock me at all. You’ve always loved surprises.” I take a sip of my coffee. “Alright, so what’s the real reason you dragged me out of work today?” I pop a brow.
“Just wanted to see how you were doing. After Katie left the party Saturday, you were pretty quiet.”
“Well, that’s mostly because only five people will talk to me, so…” I shrug, then spot Brittany behind the counter waving at me.