Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
“Yeah, you went through that a time or ten. At one point, we felt like our paychecks went straight to your stomach.” Dad chuckles before continuing, “Though, I think the fact your wife can’t cook probably has Seb eating way more when he’s got a meal that doesn’t consist of the basics.” Son of a bitch, I almost forgot about that and the time she about burned the apartment down while trying to boil water. There was also another time when she had the burner on, no oil, no butter, and decided it would be a great idea to add cayenne pepper to the pan. Winnie might as well have opened a can of tear gas; no amount of ventilation took away the need to use a towel or your shirt as a mask. I opened the doors to the balcony, and it still didn’t help air out the apartment. It meant one of us had to wade through our place, grab a menu to the local Chinese restaurant, and order in. We ate our dinner outside that night, and I took her rights away to use the gas range.
“Can’t have it all. When she lived with me, I didn’t have to worry about that as much. I guess I’m picking it back up again instead of eating for a party of one where it’s easier to swing by here, grab a few easy meals to make at home, or order takeout.” Now that I think about it, there’s not a fucking thing to eat at the apartment. There’s no bedroom for a child, only a spare room with a queen-size bed, nightstand, and dresser. The place is nowhere near ready for a toddler, and I have a feeling I’m going to be calling in the big guns once I’ve got Winnie and Seb under my roof permanently.
“We’d want you here on Sundays all the same, all three of you. The family, and I’m sure your friends, are going to take care of you all, too, especially with Sebastian in tow.” Which means I’ve got about one maybe two days max before everyone converges on us. Plus, there’s Jagger, who will undoubtedly try to hoard my wife.
“We’ll be here. We still have a lot to talk about. We’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg, got as far as Melanie being gone, Winnie finding her, and the slightest bit of what she’s been through.” Dad shakes his head.
“Mijo.” A look comes over him that ages my relatively young father in the blink of an eye. The palm of his hand cups my neck, and I know shit is ten times worse than I could ever fucking imagine. “Your woman, she’s been through it.” My mind goes in a completely different direction, causing my muscles to tighten and anger to take hold. Melanie and her never-ending drug use, which meant doing anything in her means to get money to buy her drugs. I don’t even want to think about the position Winnie has been put in, let alone what Mel did in order to achieve that high she’d been chasing.
“Padre.” I close my eyes, worry settling so deep I’m not sure where it begins and where it fucking ends. Goddamn, I want to wrap my woman and her boy up, hold them tightly so nothing else bad can touch them.
“Not what you’re thinking. Physically, Winn is good. The emotional toll and I’m assuming verbal abuse she went through, it leaves scars. Then you’ve got Sebastian. No telling what else lies beneath the surface. When your mom would talk to her, she kept it short and sweet. A picture here, an update there, but she’d redirect the conversation to anyone and anything else besides herself. She’ll unload, and when she does, I know my boy has strong enough shoulders to carry her burden, sí?”
“Yeah. You mind watching Sebastian for the afternoon, maybe overnight?” I ask before clearing it with Winnie or Mom. I’d never go around her, and if she puts her foot down, I’ll spend the night here. Though, the couch fucking sucks. The one item Mom did replace, and it’s awfully uncomfortable, so much so Dad went out and bought a recliner the next day.
“It’s alright with me. We’re not doing anything. Your mom is in heaven as it is. She might be more ticked you’re taking away her second daughter when she only got her back.”
“Hey, I hope I’m not interrupting.” Winnie stands beside me, whereas before shit went to hell, she’d wrap her arms around her waist. After our kiss earlier, I’d assumed she would do similar, but it seems I’m going to be making all the first moves. Which is why I pull her in front of me, wrap my arm around her chest, and hold her to me. I’m unsure if this scenario is for me or for her. Whatever the fuck it is, I’m glad for it.