Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 54710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Our relationship is secret. I’ll never be a traditional girlfriend to Noel. I knew that going in, but I didn’t expect it to hurt like it’s starting to.
We’ve talked about disclosing our relationship to Hudson McClain, the team owner. Noel said he doesn’t think McClain would allow Deb to fire me over it, but I’d likely be moved to a different job in the PR department, and someone else would take over my job.
I can’t do that. I love my job, and I love getting to travel with him. I work hard and my performance has never suffered, but I understand how it would look to Deb if she knew.
Even if we did decide to go public, I wouldn’t be in Noel’s life full time. He’s protective of his time with his kids because he already feels guilty about traveling so much that he doesn’t get to see Chloe and Chase much.
I can’t get mad at him for being a good dad. I did feel wistful, though, when Talia was talking about Noel smoking a turkey and making his famous stuffing today. She said they play board games on holidays. He’s having a chef come to his house to help with the meal prep. Tomorrow, Chloe and Chase will be with their mom. And on Saturday, Noel’s taking all his kids and Lucien to find a Christmas tree they can decorate together. And the chef will make another dinner.
“There’s a lady outside,” Coop says.
We just finished our dance break, and he’s looking out a front window through the blinds.
“It’s Thanksgiving,” Blair says, getting up. “Who goes door to door on Thanksgiving?”
I’m making a cheese ball, so I wash my hands and grab a dish towel to dry them on my walk to the living room. Blair is looking out the window, her expression worrying me.
“Boys, go play in the basement,” she says. “I’ll let you know when it’s okay to come up.”
Now I’m even more worried. She looks like she’s feeling sick.
“But why?” Eli asks. “I want to dance and help Aunt Jules.”
I stand next to Blair, and when I see who’s on our front porch, my heart races nervously.
“It won’t be long,” I say. “And we’ll do an extra dance break when you come back up.”
“Who is that lady?” Coop asks.
“Boys, downstairs,” Blair says, an edge in her voice.
They go. I know why she wants them out of here immediately. Our mother has never met the boys, and hopefully she never will.
As soon as we hear the basement door close, Blair sighs heavily. “What the hell is she doing here?”
“Same as always. She wants money.” I steel myself. “Go back to the kitchen. I’ll take care of it.”
“No. We’ll do it together.”
I shake my head. “I’ve got it, B.”
She walks over to the door and unlocks it. “We do it outside, and we do it together.”
I follow her out, startled by our mother’s appearance. She’s even thinner than she was when we last saw her a few years ago, her gray hair greasy. Wearing jeans, a T-shirt, and sandals, she looks out of place in snowy Cleveland.
“Aren’t you going to invite me in? It’s freezing out here.”
“You shouldn’t have come here,” I say. “We don’t want to see you.”
“I don’t have anywhere else to go. The place I was staying burned down.”
“So get a job,” Blair says.
Our mother narrows her eyes at her. “I’ll be on the couch for a few days. It’s not asking much.”
My stomach turns at the thought of her being inside our home. It’s our sanctuary. The boys live in a clean, comfortable home with no worries about having food or electricity. Blair and I have made the home for them that we wish we’d had as children.
“Leave or I’ll call the police,” I say.
“You think the cops will arrest me? I’m your mother. It’s Thanksgiving.”
“You’re trespassing. I’m not giving you a dime. It’s never enough.”
She scowls. “I spent more raising you two than I’ve ever gotten. I saw you all over social media. And look at this house. You can help me.”
I hate her. She opens a bottomless pit of spite and sorrow in me. Any interaction with her takes days or weeks for me to get over.
“I could, but I won’t.” I’ve learned to be clear and concise when I communicate with her. “If you’re not off our property in two minutes, I’m calling the police.”
I open the door for Blair and she goes inside, looking shaken. Our mother lunges forward, trying to slip in after her.
Blair puts a palm on her chest and pushes her back. “No. You’re not coming in here.”
When our mother keeps fighting to get in, something shifts in Blair.
“I said no.”
She’s angry, and she forces our mother out, protecting her kids from the manipulative addict who disappointed us countless times as kids. I try to slide back inside, but our mother blocks my path with her body.