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)
Maybe I’m reading way too much into this?
Flirting means he wants me, which could just be sex. Could I get down with that?
Feelings wouldn’t even be a thing. I can fuck without them—because I have so much experience doing that. I have had sex with three guys, two steady boyfriends and then Stratford.
Who am I kidding? If I slept with Dean, I’d want more. I don’t know if he is capable of that. And it’s all so fucking messy. He knocked up my sister!
Ugh.
I sit at the island for way too long, just doomscrolling through Reels as the sky turns black. I’ve made it through three Poppis, and I’m yawning when a text comes through.
Dean
Hey, just checking in to make sure you’re settled.
Immediately, I feel as if I’ve run a mile in seven minutes, which is not something I do. Ever.
Me
Yup, just hanging out.
Dean
Good. I’m about to go to bed and was just thinking of you.
I stare at the message, willing my fingers to move.
Me
What about me?
Dean
Just glad you’re in my home. I hope you’re comfortable.
Me
I am. Thank you again.
Dean
It’s my pleasure, honestly.
Dean
Text me if you need me.
I chew on my lip as I read the message again.
Me
I will.
Dean
Goodnight, darlin’. Have sweet dreams.
Me
Goodnight, Dean.
My nose starts to burn as the screen goes fuzzy from my tears. Nineteen years and not once did Stratford wish me a goodnight or sweet dreams. His texts were always short, about the scores for the boys or letting me know about an event we had to attend. Even before he started his affair, he never made me feel the way Dean does.
Dean makes me feel important, a very addictive feeling.
A tear falls down my cheek as another text sounds.
Ash
Love you, Mom. Hope you’re moved in okay.
Me
I am, sweetheart. Thank you. I love you.
Flint
Good, love you, Mom. Miss you.
Ash
I miss you more.
A choked sob leaves my lips, and I cover my mouth to push it back in.
My boys make me so happy, and for such a long time I thought only they were able to do so.
But then Dean Moore entered the chat.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE
Dean
The moment I push open the front door, I realize I am more fucked than I thought.
Thankfully, Kenni’s back is to me, so I can drink in sight of her sweet ass. She looks damn good. She’s wearing a pair of barely there shorts that I can see through the thin, oversized pink shirt she wears. Her hair is up in a mess of a bun that looks like she slept in it. I may be dead on my feet since we had a call around one in the morning, but seeing her barefoot in my kitchen wakes me right on up.
I want her here, always.
I just have to figure out how to make that happen.
The screen door shuts behind me, and Kenni jumps, looking over her shoulder. I throw down my bag, and she turns her body to face me. The brightest grin comes over her face, the one that hits me square in the chest and leaves me panting. Before I can greet her, I hear one of the boys call out, “Damn, Mom! Who’s got you smiling like that?”
Kenni’s face turns beet red before she leans on the island. “Shut it. Dean just got home. I was greeting him.”
She’s met with silence, and I head over to her, angling my head so I can see the boys. Flint is all grins and bright-blue eyes, while Ash eyes me, uncertainty on his face. I’m not sure what that’s about. I’ve always had a good relationship with the boys. We bonded over hockey. I wave as I call out, “Hey, boys.”
“Deannnnn!” Flint says like he’s an announcer for a hockey game.
That has Ash chuckling, and it blows me away how much the boys look like Kenni.
“How you settling in?”
“Good,” they say at the same time.
“You like your hat?” Flint asks, and I nod.
“I sure do,” I say with a smirk. It was a hell of a surprise when a brand-new Stetson arrived, along with a plastic insert that is used to prevent sweat from getting on the hat.
Or Kenni’s puke.
“Hopefully, I won’t need it tonight.”
Kenni cocks her head. “What hat?”
Ash laughs as Flint leans in. “Heard you puked all in his hat, so we got one that is Mom-proof.”
Kenni turns even redder. “How did y’all hear about that?”
Flint snorts. “Damn, Mom, being in the South has your drawl back.”
“Answer me!” she says with a stomp, looking absolutely adorable.
That has all three of us laughing. It’s Ash who says, “Skyye told us.”
“She’s got a mouth as big as her mom’s, I swear.”
When we start to laugh again, she can’t help but join in. We chat a bit longer about hockey camp and all the parties they’ve been to, much to Kenni’s dismay, before we say goodbye. It feels so natural and utterly perfect. Standing with my girl in my kitchen after a long night, shooting the shit with the kids. All that’s missing is Skyye.