Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Tears streamed down her beautiful face as she spat, “Fuck you, Malcomb.”
“We could always have one last go if that’d make ya feel better.” My voice cracked, and I feared that was all it would take for her to see through my bluff. I needed to make sure she left there and never looked back, so I added, “I’m sure Candace wouldn’t mind if you joined in.”
“I’ll pass.”
“You sure?” The knot in my stomach grew even tighter when her breath caught. “I bet we could have a real good time.”
“It didn’t have to be like this.” She quickly wiped the tears from her cheek as she stood and started for her car. “You did this. You were the one who walked away. Remember that!”
Without saying anything more, she got in her car and raced out of the parking lot.
As I sat there watching her headlights disappear into the darkness, I felt like a piece of me left with her, and I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d made a terrible mistake. I was still sitting at the picnic table, staring off into the distance, when Candace came walking over to me. “Looks like your plan worked.”
“Looks that way.”
“She seemed really upset.”
“Yeah, she did.” I glanced up at her as I asked, “Did I do the right thing?”
“I don’t know, but I hope for your sake that it was because there’s no coming back from that.”
At the time, I thought Candace was right.
I thought what was done was done, but as I looked at my suit hanging on the back of the door, I wasn’t so sure.
CHAPTER 12
Londyn
I'd spent the better part of the week running here and there with my mother, and it seemed like the wedding was mentioned with every errand or friendly visit. I’d gone back and forth about going. I wanted to be there for Skylar, but knowing Jackson wasn’t coming put a real damper on things. I tried to think of an excuse to get out of going, but nothing came to mind. At least, nothing that sounded like a truly good reason. I was stuck.
When the big day arrived, I put on the dress I’d bought, and I studied my reflection in the mirror. I didn't look half bad. My hair was curled down on my shoulders. I'd done my makeup and was wearing my favorite pearl earrings, and the black dress hugged my curves in a way that didn't make me cringe.
I considered that a bonus.
I was trying to decide on which heels to wear when I heard Dalton say, "You look so prew-ty, Momma."
I turned and found my precious son standing in the doorway with a bright smile on his face. "Thank you, sweetheart."
"When is Cici coming?"
"It won't be long now." Cici was a neighbor’s daughter. She was seventeen and absolutely adored Dalton, so I felt good about leaving him with her, especially since it was only for a couple of hours. "Are you excited to see her?"
Dalton nodded eagerly, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "We're gonna have pizza!"
I chuckled. "Oh, lucky you. I wish I could have pizza."
I ruffled his hair and leaned down to give him a kiss on the forehead. "You be good for her tonight, okay?"
"Um-hmm. I prom-mise."
I gave myself one last look in the mirror, then grabbed my purse and said, “Let’s go find your grandmother and see what’s taking her so long.”
Dalton and I made our way into the living room, and it wasn’t long before Cici came knocking at the door. After we got them situated, we said our goodbyes to them both and headed to the wedding. As expected, the church parking lot was slammed, and it took my father some time and effort to get us parked. Eventually, we made our way inside and found a seat in the back.
The decorations were breathtaking--white and gold flowers adorning the pews, an elegant chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and a red carpet leading up to the altar. Soft music played as we waited for the ceremony to begin.
It wasn't long before the music began, and Skylar started down the aisle, her dress flowing behind her. I was watching her make her way towards Lucas when I spotted Malcomb. He was sitting on the groom’s side with Cotton and Cass, and to my surprise, there wasn’t a woman sitting with him. He was alone, and he couldn’t have looked more handsome.
He was wearing a suit, which was something I hadn’t seen him wear since Prom, and the same held true for his father. They rarely ever went anywhere without their Fury jackets and motorcycles, but I must say they both cleaned up nicely. I didn’t want to stare, but I couldn’t help myself. It seemed like a lifetime since we’d been in the same room together.
After several long moments, I managed to tear my eyes away from him and back over to the actual ceremony. Skylar’s eyes were full of love and hope as she said her vows, and Lucas seemed humbled by the fact that she was about to be his. It was beautiful, and it wasn’t long before my emotions started to get the best of me. So much so my mother leaned over to me and whispered, “Are you okay?”