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)
“Eggs!” he answered excitedly.
“I can make them,” a voice interjected from the doorway.
I turned, and I felt like I’d been punched in the gut when I found Candace standing there with an awkward smile on her face. I couldn’t hide my distaste for her as I muttered, “Hey, Candace. Thanks, but I can scramble his eggs on my own.”
“Of course.” After grabbing the eggs from the fridge, I started looking for a skillet, and when I didn’t find it right away, she said, “Bottom left corner.”
“Thanks.”
I bent down and opened the bottom left cabinet, then took out a small skillet. “Hey, sweetie. Why don’t you grab a drink from the fridge and have a seat at the table? I’ll bring your eggs over when they’re read.”
“O-kay, Momma.”
Dalton stepped over to the fridge and grabbed a box of juice, then went over to the table and sat down. Doing my best to ignore the fact that she was still standing there, I placed it on the stove, then grabbed a bowl and started cracking the eggs. I’d hoped that she would eventually get the hint and leave.
She didn’t.
Instead, she walked over to me and said, “I know you hate me, but I wanted to tell you that I’m sorry about that day. I only did what Malcomb asked me to.”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“That’s just it. I do worry about it.” She actually sounded sincere when she said, “I think about that day a lot, and if I could go back, I would tell Malcomb not to do it.”
“Why would you do that?” I glanced over my shoulder as I said, “I would’ve thought you’d be happy that we broke up.”
“You weren’t here. You didn’t see how messed up he was. He was devastated over losing you, and I hate I had a part to play in it.” She looked over at Dalton, then back to me. “And now, seeing how happy he is that you’re back and that he has a kid, that makes that feeling even worse.”
“It’s not your fault.” I turned my attention back to Dalton’s eggs. “Like you said, you were just doing what Malcomb asked.”
“So, you’re going to stay mad at me.”
“No, I’m not mad.” I sighed. “I just want to put all this mess behind us and move on.”
“Do you think you can really do that?”
“I don’t know, but I certainly want to try.” I took Dalton’s eggs and scooped them onto a plate, then carried them over to him. “Here you go, sweetheart.”
“T’anks, Momma.”
“You’re welcome, sweetie.”
I walked back over to the stove and started cleaning up, and it wasn’t long before Candace joined in. She started washing the dishes while I wiped down the counters. We were just about to finish up when I asked, “Have you seen Malcomb or any of the guys this morning?”
“I’ve seen a couple of them here and there. Pretty sure they’ve got something going on.”
“What makes you say that?”
“There was a commotion last night, and after that, they’re all pretty wound tight.” She shrugged. “I’m not sure what was going on or is going on, but they’ll handle whatever it is. They always do.”
The words had barely left her mouth when there was a loud click, and the back door opened. Seconds later, several of the guys walked past the kitchen and down the hall. Curious, I stepped over to the doorway and watched as they all filed into the family room. I glanced back at Candace and asked, “What was that all about?”
“No idea. Let’s go find out.”
“But...”
Before I had a chance to protest, Candace was out the door. As I started after her out, I told Dalton, “Wait here, sweetie. I’ll be right back.”
I quietly followed Candace down the hall, and when we reached the family room, Candace and I peeked inside and found all the guys standing in front of the TV. I stepped closer and saw that they were watching the news. There was some kind of explosion in the city, and it wasn’t just any explosion. This took out an entire block. There was debris everywhere like a bomb had gone off.
I stood there in shock as I listened to the reporter say, “A massive explosion occurred in Yesler Terrace late last night. The explosion took out an entire block, including an abandoned warehouse and an apartment complex. The twenty-two acres is well known for its gang activity, but officials are saying that the explosion appears to be the result of a major gas leak. The investigation is ongoing.”
I was shocked.
Yesler Terrace wasn’t all that far from my apartment, and I knew it well. It was a place many avoided at all costs. Everyone did—which led me to wonder why the guys were so invested in the news of the explosion. It just seemed so odd to me, but they were glued to that TV and looked truly disturbed by what they were witnessing. After several minutes, Cotton asked, “Is that what I think it is?”