Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“I thought she was still in New York.”
“She was, but she’s back now.”
“Well, how about that.” I could almost hear the wheels turning in her head. “I had no idea.”
“Neither did I until Rooks messaged me.”
“You heard from Rooks, too? I never would’ve expected that.” Before I had a chance to respond, she asked, “Well, how did it go with Tallie? Was she happy to see you? Did you guys talk things out? Are you going to see her again?”
“We didn’t really get a chance to talk. She’s got a lot on her plate with her dad and all, but I plan on seeing her again.”
Mom was there when everything went down with Tallie. She knew how hard it had been on me, so I wasn’t surprised when she asked, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
“Good. Just be careful.”
“I will.”
“I’m serious, Holt. I don’t want you taking any unnecessary chances.”
“Mom, it’s Tallie.”
“It’s not her I’m worried about.” She let out a dramatic sigh, then said, “Your father never wanted me to say anything, but you know he used to clean their father’s office.”
“I think I remember that.”
“Well, he saw things, Holt. Things that he shouldn’t have.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. I just know he was fired because of whatever he found.” I could hear the regret and worry in her voice as she said, “And I shouldn’t say this out loud, but a piece of me has always wondered if Tom was behind your father’s death.”
“Mom, it was an accident. He wasn’t paying attention and got too close to the train track. You know this.”
“I know he saw those papers and was fired. I know just days later that Tom sent Tallie away, and then we lost your dad a couple of weeks after that.”
“I know, Mom. I was there and thinking all this is anything more than a coincidence is a stretch.”
“But what if it’s not.”
“Mom.”
“Just promise me you will be careful.”
I could see that she was going through something, so I decided not to mention that Tallie had a kid and that there was a possibility he was mine. I just didn’t think it was the right time, especially when I wasn’t certain. I was wiped and ready to call it a night, so I said, “I’m always careful. You don’t gotta worry about me.”
“I’m your mother. It’s my job to worry.”
“Well, take the night off and get you some rest.”
“I’ll do what I can. Good night, sweetheart.”
“Night, Mom.”
I ended the call, then tossed my phone onto the bedside table. I kicked off my boots and took off my clothes before crawling into bed. I just wanted to catch up on some sleep, but I couldn’t stop thinking about everything my mother had said. I had no idea if there was any validity to her suspicions, but there was no denying that it did seem a bit questionable.
It was something I would look into, but only after I got things sorted with Tallie. Shep had told me to give her some time, and that’s what I tried to do. But patience had never been one of my strong suits, and I was struggling. I’d tried to busy myself at the Vault, working on the books, monitoring the run, and checking the new supply—anything I could find to keep myself distracted.
At night, I would try to sleep, but every time I closed my eyes, I’d find her staring back at me. I tried to push the thoughts from my mind, just long enough to finally get some damn sleep, but it was useless. After hours of tossing and turning, I accepted my fate and let the memories roll in.
Tonight, there was one memory that sank its teeth in deep, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake it.
It was the summer that I lost her.
She was just about to graduate from high school, and all was right in the world. She had just come in from graduation practice, and her hair was damp with sweat. It had been sweltering hot all week, and as soon as she walked in, she started pulling off her wet clothes. “Mind if I take a quick shower?”
“Go for it.” I fell back on her bed and propped my head up on her pillow. “I’ll be here when you get out.”
“Great.” She grabbed her things and started for the bathroom. “I won’t be long.”
“Take your time.”
I heard the water turn on, and it wasn’t long before the provocative thoughts started rolling in. I was a twenty-year-old hormone with two feet, so it was no surprise that I couldn’t stop thinking about her hot little body in that shower with the hot water streaming over her perfect breasts.
I tried to resist the temptation, but before I’d even thought things through, I was up off the bed and stripping off my clothes. Her folks were at work, and Rooks was off with his latest arm candy, so I didn’t have to worry about any of them walking in on us.