Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 121887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
“Did you just threaten me?” Easton asked, sounding shocked and repulsed.
I bit into my eggroll.
Ooooooooo.
So good!
Lucia did fusion like nobody’s business, even when she wasn’t there!
“I look like a man who makes threats?” Javi asked.
“Actually, Javi will have to fight us off, since we’ll be hauling your ass out of here, you don’t get the hint and leave,” Jessie put in.
Easton turned his attention back to me. “What does ‘done with us’ mean?”
I dipped my eggroll and took another bite of it.
“Harlow!” he bit.
And then the most surprising voice in the universe for that moment in time and what was happening entered the conversation.
Dream.
“What it means is that Harlow has no contacted you,” she stated primly, like she was a teacher and Easton was a very slow student. “It means she will not be accepting communications from you, and she will not be offering the same. It means she will not be spending time with you for any reason, including birthdays and family holidays. It means, for whatever her reasons, she’s at the end of her tether with you.”
And then, blowing me (and everyone) away, Dream delivered a doozie.
“She’s the kindest, most cheerful woman I’ve ever met. You walked in, she saw you, and it was the first time since I met her, which was years ago, that I saw her face fall. I don’t know what you did to her, but I can guess with your behavior since you arrived how you’ve treated her. So, to end, as Harlow has declared her intention to separate herself from you and the rest of her family, it is your only recourse to respect her decision and leave her alone.”
I was staring up at Dream, blinking rapidly, and I was pretty sure my mouth was hanging open.
I didn’t have to look to know all the other Avenging Angels were doing the same.
I felt Javi’s surprise, and this was reciprocated by anyone who knew Dream at the table.
“The ‘leaving her alone’ part of that should start right now,” Dream warned.
“Who the fuck are you?” Easton asked irately.
Dream straightened her shoulders and shook her part braided, part ratted hippie hair (that looked cute, she totally worked the hippie-dippy thing, probably one of the reasons why she got knocked up three times).
“I work at this establishment, and we reserve the right to refuse service for appropriate reasons. And my appropriate reason for kicking you out is that you’re a huge dick and a major downer.”
I heard Willow titter, Ally snort, Annette hoot and Shirleen whisper, “Oowee.”
Easton looked down at me. “This isn’t done.”
“It’s done,” Javi stated.
“I don’t even know your name,” Easton sneered at Javi.
“You don’t need to know my name to understand this…” Javi stood (oh boy). “Is…” Javi stepped around my chair and closer to Easton (oh shoot!), and Cap, Brady and Roam took his back (yikes!). “Done.”
Easton was finally clueing into a few things about the Hottie Squad, albeit tardily, if the pallor of his skin was anything to go by.
“You with me?” Javi asked deceptively quietly.
Easton’s gaze was pinging to all the boys, but he mostly kept an eye on the biggest, and the most pissed.
My guy.
Easton stepped away but tried to fire one more shot at me. “You’re going to break Mom and Dad’s hearts.”
I tried not to let that make my heart clench, but it was unavoidable.
My heart clenched.
Hard.
But just the night before, I advised Javi that he needed to look after himself. Do what needed to be done to protect his peace of mind.
And as much as I hated it (and man, did I hate it), I needed to do this to protect my peace of mind.
“I know how much that hurts, and it isn’t what I want, but to protect myself from constantly feeling the same, this is my decision,” I replied.
Easton started to get pissy again. I had so much experience with it, I noticed right away.
“I don’t get—” he began.
But Javi stepped in front of me, cutting off Easton’s eyeline.
“I’m thinking you’re not with me,” Javi noted.
“Back off, asshole. I’m with you. And fuck it, it’s not like she’s a loss,” Easton returned.
There were lots of angry noises at that, including Shirleen asking, “Am I needing to take off my earrings?”
But Javi said softly, “Oh yeah, she is. And you know she is. That’s why you’re here. Because your father is sick of playing second fiddle to his son and maybe even thinks its sick how up your ass his wife is. He feels guilt, as he should, that he let Harlow swing in the breeze. And he’s wondering why he wasted so much of his life with an elitist bitch who spoiled his boy and abused his girl. Your mom convinces herself she’s perfect by making Harlow feel small. And since you didn’t get anyone kissing your ass last night because they were all up in their own heads, you realized that Harlow is the one that keeps the balance in your family. She’s your mother’s punching bag. The only joy your father has. And your opportunity to convince yourself you’re something special when you’re just another average white guy with a good education paid for by his rich parents and nothing more.”