Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 91286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“She’s not my GM anymore.” Which reminds me, I need to grab that ticket off the kitchen counter. I did get a few fat paychecks. The least I can do is cover it while I still can. “I heard there’s been some activity on the other side of the fence? Reporters and things?”
A slow grating sound carries. So, King Kong can laugh. “You should’ve heard the sound that commissioner lady made. Thought she was gonna drop dead.”
“Yeah, that one thinks she’s doing the Lord’s work.”
Frank heads back over to the old pit, where Ralph pecks at scurrying ants, their homes disturbed.
I follow him and collect a few of the smaller stones.
“The mayor tried scaling the chain-link,” Frank goes on, hauling another hefty boulder. “Just after Sloane left.”
That makes me chuckle. “What was he gonna do? Climb the tree?” The guy is, like, five foot three. I’m over six feet tall, and I stood on my tiptoes on top of that wobbly ladder to tie those sheets up there. In the fucking dark. If I never see a ladder again, it’ll be too soon.
“I don’t know what he thought he was doing, but when he noticed me there, he slipped and got his pants caught on the chain.” The ground indents as Frank drops the rock into the sand. “Basically hung himself on his balls.”
I wince at the visual. But wait— “He missed you sitting there?”
“I got it all on video.”
“You’re kidding me.”
Frank gives me a look. I doubt the guy knows how to kid.
“Do me a favor and text it to me. It could be useful.” I doubt Wilson wants a video like that going viral on social media, which is where it belongs.
“Yeah.” He rolls his shoulders against the strain of his labor. “I told Sloane about the new harborfront. And the new road.”
“What? When?” My anger flares. I didn’t tell Frank so he could be the one to deliver that news. I wanted his advice. I should have been the one to tell her.
I guess Sloane and I are even, then.
“This morning, right after you left. She’s got a lot going on right now, and she needed to see the full picture so she can make the right decisions for her.”
Abbi basically said the same thing to me. “You mean, because she’s pregnant?”
He pauses mid-reach. “Who told you that?”
“Not Sloane. When’d she tell you?” I don’t know why it bothers me that he knew before me, but it does.
“She didn’t. I figured it out ’cause I know her, and I’m not an idiot.”
I roll my eyes at his dig. “Is she gonna keep it?”
“You need to ask her that.”
“That’s why I came here. To talk to her.”
He tugs off his gloves and wipes his brow again. It’s too hot for this type of manual labor, and yet something tells me he’ll walk through a lava-spewing volcano for her. “And say what?”
“Just …” Good question. What will I say? I was so focused on hearing the words from her mouth that I didn’t think about the “and then” part. “That I’m here, no matter what she decides?”
“Is that true? Are you?” Frank challenges, an edge in his tone.
“Of course I am!” I throw my hands out. “Haven’t I proved that I’m in her corner by now?”
All I get in response is a grunt as he treks back toward the old pit.
I follow him. “Is this not something I planned on happening? Sure.”
“You and her both,” he mutters.
“Yeah. Well … she should have told me.”
“You should have worn a condom,” he throws back.
A wheelbarrow sits nearby. I grab the handles and push it over. “Would you believe me if I told you it’s the first time I haven’t?” Not including Tasha.
“No.”
“I’ve always seen myself having kids, but not until my thirties.”
“Shit happens.”
“When’s she going to be done?”
“Four.” He hoists a boulder, his arms straining. “Are you always this chatty?”
“No, actually, not at all.” I begin tossing smaller rocks into the steel tray. “Do you know which way she’s leaning?”
“Nope.” It’s more of a grunt as he struggles the last few steps, maneuvering around Ralph before letting go of his cargo.
“Come on, man.”
He chugs his water, wipes his mouth with his forearm. “What’s your plan? To stay here and annoy me until Sloane’s done working?”
“Probably. Might take a break to grab a bite.” If I can stomach food. I toss more stones in.
Frank sighs heavily. “We’re not doin’ this. I have a better idea.”
26. Sloane
“We always anchor on this side and leave over there for the families.” I point to the various parts of the sandbar. “Plus, it’s easier to move in and out of Starfish Island with the current. It can get jammed up around here on those hot summer days. We’ve had upward of a thousand vessels pack in.”
Bailey’s full lips pull together as she whistles. “I’ve heard about this place for years, but seeing it in person for the first time is a whole other experience.”