Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 69333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
“Is that really what you want to do, Aud?” asks Charlie. “Lose your shit?”
Grandma takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “What I wanted was a peaceful family breakfast. I mean…you know what I mean.”
“I know you just paid Nash and me quite the compliment.” Charlie gives her a half smile. “And we appreciate it.”
Meanwhile, Nash pulls out a chair from the kitchen table and nods to me to take a seat. Then he grabs two mugs from the cupboard and makes for the coffeepot. “You and Charlie are as close to family as I have these days,” he says, in a more subdued tone.
Grandma sighs in his general direction. The anger leaching out of her. “I know we are.”
“And given your history with women, you also know she’s right to have concerns regarding her granddaughter,” adds Charlie.
“Just like I have concerns about you and my grandmother,” I say.
“Only there’s a rather marked difference in my age and experience.” Grandma sits back in her chair and gives me a long look. “And I’m not nursing a recently broken heart.” She turns her gaze to Nash. “I haven’t just upended my life, either. You’re both going through a period of change, and neither of you knows for sure how long you intend to be in town or what you want to do with your lives. Surely it would be better to keep things simple.”
Nash hands me a cup of coffee, taking the seat at my side. I don’t mean to stare bewildered at the offering.
The rockstar pauses with his own mug halfway to his mouth. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I take a cautious sip—creamer and one sugar. It never even occurred to my ex to care how I take my coffee. And while I know caffeine is important to Nash, this feels significant. Which is silly. The bar for romantic entanglements shouldn’t be this low. Hot beverages and basic kindness.
Nash’s gaze remains dubious. Like I am not to be trusted regarding the highly important matter of whether he made my coffee right or not.
“It’s perfect,” I say. “Thank you.”
“You three should start eating.” Charlie places the stack of pancakes on the table.
Mom didn’t bother much with men. But none of her occasional boyfriends ever made breakfast. I doubt the idea even occurred to them. There’s a strong chance I need to raise my standards. I’m seeing this now. The need to please has led me astray. Same goes for just being grateful for any attention I receive. These bad habits have strongly contributed to me being taken for granted, and treated like shit.
It’s this sort of behavior that no doubt made my ex think he could kick me out while keeping me hanging around.
The fucker.
“What’s on your mind, my delight?” asks Nash.
“I should have put shrimp in his curtain rods. Taking the microwave plate and remote was insufficient for his crimes.”
“You mean your ex?” he asks. “Do you still have a key to the place? We could drive back and get it done. Go on a road trip!”
“You’d help me carry out my stinky revenge plot?”
“Sure,” he says with no hesitation.
“I don’t have the key.”
He shrugs. “Does it really matter? I mean, situations like this are why Baby Jesus invented bricks.”
“What on earth are you two talking about?” asks Grandma.
“Just some light breaking and entering followed by possible destruction of her ex’s property. I mean, it’s not like I don’t have lawyers and bail money. There’s nothing stopping us from carrying out this plan.”
I smile.
“June.” Grandma’s brows are right up there. “You wouldn’t.”
“He definitely deserves it,” I answer. “You’re right though. Having a police record is probably not the answer.”
“Oh, I already have one.” Nash downs some of his coffee.
“What for?” I ask curiously.
“Public nudity, trespassing, and disorderly conduct. I was young and high and it seemed like a good idea.”
Charlie clears his throat. “Is this really a story you want her to hear?”
“June and I have no secrets.” Which is when Nash pauses to ponder the statement with a touch more depth. “On second thought, every relationship needs a touch of mystery.”
I narrow my eyes on the man. He is so telling me the story later.
“Your choices now don’t exactly inspire confidence either,” says Grandma. “Running away from your life and going into hiding.”
“Like you didn’t say a hundred or so times that I should try life without the fame and lackeys.”
“That was before you took an interest in my granddaughter.”
“This is outrageous.” Nash shakes his head. “I refuse to stay where I’m not wanted.”
Grandma’s brows are sky high. “Clearly that’s not true, because I never invited you here in the first place.”
“It’s time for me to move into my own place. Just as soon as we’ve finished breakfast. There’s no way I’m missing out on pancakes.”
“Wait a minute.” I put down my cup of coffee. “You have access to your house already?”