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)
“Oh, honey, what do you need us to do?” Isla asks. This is where things are about to get tricky. Santiago opens the front door, ushering us all into the house. Everything is the same as it was before I left—the furniture, the décor, and even the wedding picture of Johnny and myself. A part of me is ready to rush toward the framed photo, pull it off the wall, and crush it to my chest.
I’ve seen pictures of Johnny here and there on social media, and when I do a search of him online, he pops up with how successful his business is. I’ve seen him with his friends, their businesses as well, and recently, I’ve seen him with a woman on his arm. It hit me hard. My stomach sank to my feet, but I have no reason to be a crazed woman with a possessive and jealous side of her. Especially considering I’ve not been a monk, so how can I expect him to be?
“I need to know where Johnny is. I’m really sorry to even ask you of this, but I have to get this done, or I could lose Seb.” Santiago lets off a rapid-fire litany of expletives in Spanish one after the other. He starts walking back and forth, the entire length of the living room. Pacing, that’s what he’s doing.
“Oh, Winnie, mi Niña.” Isla covers her mouth with her hand, the other squeezing me closer to her once again.
“He’s at Asher’s, but first, where’s Sebastian?” Santiago wants more information. I close my eyes, worry hitting me once again.
“He’s with a sitter at the hotel. I should have just brought him with me instead of using one of those apps to find a qualified person in the area.” I take a deep breath. “I didn’t know what would or could happen, and he’s been through so much already.” The last thing I want to do is bombard Johnny at his friend’s house. I’m trying to calculate what I have in my bank account. Maybe I can afford a motel for a second night. The one we’re in now on the outskirts of town is not the best, to say the least. If we do that, I’ll have to skip a few meals, but at least there’s a hot shower and a bed. Then again, if I didn’t have Sebastian, I could sleep in my car, eat something of the fast-food variety, and wait for Johnny until tomorrow morning. Either way, I’ll still be strapped no matter what, but I’m pretty sure having a place to live is a top priority in keeping Sebestian. Running water and power are a necessity, not a choice.
“Okay.” I’m going to stick with option two. I’ve packed a small cooler that should have more than enough to feed Seb, and if I ration myself, I’ll have plenty to hold me over.
“I’ll give you the address, but first, you’re going to eat. We’re going to talk, and you’re going to tell us everything,” Santiago states. There’s no changing his mind.
“Yes, food first.” Isla detaches herself from me, bustles through the house, and heads straight for the kitchen. My stomach makes its presence known in the form of a growl. Santiago’s gaze sharpens on me. I can see what he’s thinking without saying the words. I’ve gotten myself in a pile of shit, and the Gonzales family is going to figure out a way to help my fix the problems I never should have gotten involved in. Then again, if I didn’t follow my sister, who knows where Sebastian would be now?
“Come here, Winnie.” Santiago opens his arms. I rush toward him. I’m an asshole, the worst of the worst. I should not be on Johnny’s parents’ doorstep asking for any favors and taking up their time.
“I’m so sorry.” Johnny is the spitting image of his father, and when his hand cups the back of my neck, I’m once again falling into a fit of tears and silently cussing myself for the millionth time for the pain I’ve caused everyone, including myself.
“Nothing to be sorry about. You got dealt a shit hand. Message the sitter, let her know I’m going to be picking up Sebastian. Isla and I will go. We’re checking you out of the motel, too. You’re staying here, and if Johnny has something to say about that, he can answer to me.”
“I can’t ask that of you,” I mutter into the quiet room.
“You didn’t. I told you what we’re doing. The motel is a hit, you driving down here is a hit. Let us help you. I know my son. This is gonna take time. You two need to talk and, if nothing else, get a bit of closure.” He lets go off me yet still holds the outside of my arms, dips his tall body until we’re on eye level, and waits me out.