Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 70092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
"What does it look like she's doing?" Shelby answers her. “She's training to be an Olympic athlete in gymnastics." She rolls her eyes. “Obviously."
"You," my mother says between clenched teeth, “go make sure your husband is okay."
"He's fine,” Shelby says. “He's sitting with the other husbands and Presley's baby daddy." I swear if steam could come out of my mother's ears, now would be the time.
"How can you allow this to happen?" My mother looks at me for a second before turning and smiling at people she sees looking at us.
"How can I allow what to happen?” I ask. Today has been a day, and I'm emotionally worn out. I'm mentally exhausted, and to top it all off, I just want to sit down and cry.
"He brings these random women to events," she says with a smile and through clenched teeth.
"Oh, God, Mom,” Shelby groans.
"He's never brought a woman to any event,” Clarabella says, and I just look over at her. “Except today, but..."
"But nothing," my mother says. “How are you going to feel when he parades these women in front of your child?"
"Considering that my child is currently in my uterus and has no concept of anything that is happening here." I do a circle with my hand. “I'm going to say that for now it's fine."
"What about when he gets serious with a girl?" my mother says, and my stomach gets tight. “Then what?"
"Mom, she doesn’t care.” Shelby repeats my words, and I want to snap at her. “This is what she wants."
No, it's not. I almost scream, but instead I get up. “Mom"—I kiss her cheek—“thank you for looking out for me." I blink away the tears. “But let's not jump the gun. This might be their first date."
"Or maybe not,” Shelby says.
"I'm going to head out," I respond. “Will you guys tell Travis and Harlow goodbye for me?"
Clarabella gets up. “I'll come with you."
"No." I shake my head. “I don't want to draw too much attention to myself."
"Will you call me when you get home?" Shelby asks, getting up, and I nod at her.
I turn to hug my mother. “Thanks for looking out for me, Mom." I put my head on her shoulder. “And for making me my favorite chicken potpie tomorrow."
"Ohhh, I want some of that also,” Shelby says. “I'm coming."
"It's Sunday,” Clarabella says. “You guys know that it's my special time."
"I can't believe you still do naked Sunday." I shake my head. “You are married to him and go to sleep with him every night."
"It keeps the romance alive." She shrugs, and I laugh, putting my head down and walking up the steps to the house. I step inside, counting down the seconds until I can grab my purse and escape from this. I quietly walk out of the house and head to my car, not letting out that sigh of relief until I'm finally driving away from the house.
Parking the car in the driveway, I grab my purse and make my way inside. Dropping everything on the floor as soon as I walk in, I kick off my shoes and go to the fridge. My hand snatches the apple juice as I walk over to get a glass. I don't know what it is but ever since I found out I was pregnant, it's the only thing I want to drink. It also has to be cold and crisp, pouring the glass almost to the top before turning and walking over to the couch.
I take a sip before sitting down and turning on the television. This is my life now, I think as I curl my feet under me. I'm scrolling Netflix when I feel a little flutter in my stomach, and I stop. "I felt that," I say to the empty room, my heart speeding up faster. I take another sip of the apple juice, and it happens again. I just squeal. “Oh my God, the baby is moving, and I feel it." I get up, and my first thought is to call Bennett, but I stop myself.
"What about when he gets serious with a girl?" My mother’s voice replays in my head. “Then what?"
I sit back down, putting my hand on my stomach.
"You wanted this." Shelby’s voice now replays. "You wanted him to be free."
"You are so full of shit." Clarabella’s voice cuts in. "You can't even try to tell me that this doesn't bug you. You can't tell me that him being here with another woman doesn't bug you.”
I put my head back on the couch, playing the whole night over and over again in my head. I don't know when I get up and walk upstairs, but I know the next morning when I walk down the stairs, there is only one decision left for me. I walk to my phone and then walk over to the kitchen island.