Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 91595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
I wipe away another tear and squeeze the steering wheel. “He doesn’t deserve us,” Flint adds, and my lip quivers.
“We know who’s raised us, who’s been there, and who loves us.”
I close my eyes, praying I don’t hit anything as I inhale deeply. “Did he say when you two would sign the paperwork?”
“No, but we didn’t ask,” Ash says. “I will next time I talk to him.”
“We want to give you some—”
“You can’t,” I say, cutting Flint off. “The way this works is we’re both out the money because the marriage ended.” The boys are quiet as I continue. “Make sure you read everything, and whatever you don’t understand, ask questions.”
“But will you be okay?” Flint asks hesitantly.
“We still have our NIL money, Mom. We can help,” Ash offers, but I’m already shaking my head.
“That’s your money. You two use it the way we said, to pay for school and living. Equipment. You worked hard for that.”
“But you supported us. You haven’t worked this whole time.” The emotion in Flint’s voice has my heart tripping over itself.
“I’m fine,” I promise. “I will be fine.”
And I will.
When everything went down, I immediately restarted my accounting program, but I decided to move to market research analysis. I could get that degree completed in the least amount of time and start making money. I was able to work around the boys’ schedules, and the best thing about my job is it’s remote. Stratford had no clue I started working, and I’ve been able to save one hell of a nest egg. Missy, being Missy, has already lined up interviews for me with the businesses of Thistlebrook. I have clients and I do well, but I would have to earn more to buy my own home. I’m staying with Missy until the house I’m renting is ready. If I work hard enough, my next Christmas with the boys could be in my own home.
“I don’t like this,” Ash admits. “It feels wrong.”
“It isn’t,” I stress. “You two are set for life, and that makes me happy.”
“Mom,” Flint says, his voice full of emotion, “you should get the money for everything that happened.”
“I don’t want it,” I tell him, and I feel that in my soul. “I don’t want anything from that man but you two. That’s all.” I know they want to say more, but I don’t let them. “Make sure you read everything they put in front of you.”
They agree, and my heart slows only a little bit as Flint reminds me, “We’ll see you at our first game and talk every day.”
We hang up after I beg them to be safe and to call me once they arrive in Connecticut. The traffic starts to clear, and because I’m a glutton for punishment, I restart the theme song of this trip and sing my heart out. This heart of mine is heavy, but like the song says, I feel a lot freer. Though, the boys knowing the truth doesn’t settle my soul the way I thought it would. I thought it’d be the final step to give me peace, but it isn’t.
I don’t know if I’ll ever have peace again when it comes to Stratford.
Asshole.
Everyone likes me more than him? I just can’t understand why that would upset him.
Probably because his penis is small.
Or romance books are ruining me, and now I think all 6’4” men are slinging anacondas between their legs.
CHAPTER
SIX
Dean
Fable Cook has a wide grin on her face as she comes toward me, bundled up in what I assume is her husband’s Ice Thistle hoodie since it’s ten sizes too big on her. I smile back as I give her a kind side hug that I’m sure will still piss Jett off. He doesn’t like anyone touching or being near his wife, not that I blame him. She’s a knockout, but also, he’s waited twenty years for her, and he won’t lose her again.
He told me that last night because she smiled at Liam.
Dude is obsessed.
I hate how jealous that makes me.
Fable’s green eyes are animated as we part. “She landed her axel today, and I may have cried.”
My chest puffs with pride as I cross my arms over my chest, the air of the rink exceptionally cold since it’s warm out. “Did you get video?”
“I did. She has it to send to you.”
“Fantastic. She’s thriving, and it’s all thanks to you.”
Fable looks a bit shy, but we both know she’s amazing at what she does. She was a gold medalist for years and then moved to coaching. I doubt she thought she’d be coaching when she ended up in Thistlebrook, but not only is she killing it, she’s growing the program like crazy. We have kids coming from other rural communities just to skate with her. She has started a cheer skating team for the high schools, and everybody is so very proud.