Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
“You don’t say,” I mutter under my breath as I walk towards the front door, wiping my wet hands on a towel after washing them. When Hendrix said she’d come over, it was operation get the girls out of the pool, changed into their pajamas, and settled in full effect in order for me to get dinner started.
“Cooper, sit,” I tell him before opening the door, waiting for him to do as he’s told, giving him a small treat when he listens. I open the door. Standing on the other side is a hesitant Hendrix. Jolene is at her side, wiggling her whole body, leash attached, and that’s when I notice Hendrix’s hands are fidgeting holding what I’m assuming is a bag full of nail polish along with the leash. It’s her fingers that seem to move, each tapping from one hand to the other. I haven’t laid my eyes on her in what seems like weeks, was at my wits’ end to make her see the light, even gave her an ultimatum. Then she finally realizes that I wasn’t fucking around and reaches out. Had I known the shitstorm that was happening this week would, I’d have made time for her. I guess there’s no time like the present.
“Hendrix, come here.” No words come out of her mouth. Her eyes start watering, lip quivering, and as much as I want to make time for her to get things off her chest, all I can do for now is hold her in my arms. That’s what I do. My arms wrap around her slim body. She drops the leash. My eyes move to her dog, watching as she walks inside to where Cooper is, hoping that my dog doesn’t take advantage of Hendrix’s now that I’ve finally got her where I want.
“Ohhhh, Uncle Mad has a girlfriend,” Cammy says in a sing-song voice. Hendrix’s hands move to my sides, holding on to the cotton shirt I’m wearing like it’s a lifeline.
“Me want,” Piper’s voice echoes throughout the living room into the foyer, where we’re standing. Hendrix takes a deep breath. Her forehead is currently attached to my chest as she’s attempting to glue herself to me, and I know we’ve got maybe another thirty seconds before chaos ensues.
“Sweetheart, I want more than ever for you to stay right here wrapped around me, but we’ve got two girls who are about to swarm us, and they’ll have lots of questions to answers we don’t even have.” I kiss the side of her head, squeezing her to me once more as she gathers herself. “We’ll talk. I’ve got nothing but time as soon as the girls either pass out from pure exhaustion or Forest picks them up, okay?”
“Alright, plus you owe me dinner, and there are two girls who want their nails painted. Will you introduce me to your nieces?” Hendrix pulls back, the bag of nail stuff hanging on her forearm. The other hand moves to her eyes to wipe away a stray tear, and as much as I want to be the one to do that for her, it’s not my place. For now.
“You got it. They’re excited to have someone help them. I’m not their first choice.” Piper comes up beside me. “Up, pwease.” Her arms are up in the air. I bend down to pick her up.
“Hendrix, this is Piper. Piper, this is Hendrix.” Piper waves shyly at Hendrix then proceeds to stick her thumb in her mouth after she says, “Hi.”
“Hey there, Piper. I heard you and your sister were going to paint your nails. Do you mind if I join you?” Hendrix asks. Piper nods in response.
“Come on, we’ll introduce you to Cammy.” I turn around, spotting Cammy sitting on her bottom, worrying her bottom lip. My empty hand that isn’t holding Piper reaches for Hendrix’s, knowing this could go one of two ways—Cammy could take to her like a fish to water, or there’s a possibility it ends in a disaster. I’m hoping it’s the first option, not just for Cammy because she needs a female role model of sorts in her life that isn’t off her rocker. Plus I see Hendrix being my future as long as we get things taken care of.
“Cammy, I’d like you to meet Hendrix.” I do the introductions like I did with Piper, this time allowing Hendrix to do her thing. Piper is itching to get down, seeing as how Hendrix is now sitting next to Cammy. I let them do their thing. Cammy is hesitant at first, taking a few minutes to warm up. Meanwhile, Piper plopped herself on Hendrix’s lap, making herself right at home.
I return to my spot in the kitchen, watching them interact while I get our dinner prepped, cutting the potatoes to make homemade fries, marinating the wings, and sneaking in a salad that Cammy may or may not eat, but Piper has a healthy appetite and will eat anything you put in front of her. This week might have started out shitty, but it’s turning out to be a fuck ton better.