“You’ll work that out. Between us, your mom, and Jake’s friends helping out if needed, Jake should be able to return to days, right?”
“It’s in the works.”
“Perfect.” Ruby scoots to the edge of the sofa, opens the bottle of wine, and pours two glasses. “Only two because momma doesn’t want to be a bad influence.”
Bella grabs the plastic bag and holds a bottle of nonalcoholic grape juice in her hand like a trophy. “And a special drink for mommy.”
“With the way you and Dom are going at it, do you need to switch to the grape juice as well?” Ruby smirks as she lifts her glass to her lips.
“If Dom has his way, it’ll be years from now. He wants me to finish school first.” Bella rolls her eyes and stretches her hand out to me with the glass between us.
After I shift Grace’s weight, I take a drink and sigh. Grape juice shouldn’t taste so good. I study my friends as they jostle food and drinks. No, that’s not it. It’s the fact that my best friends are here by my side, cheering me on.
I use my foot to rock the chair back and forth. “Look at us. All responsible and shit.”
“Yeah.” Bella beams at me and then frowns. “I’m sorry Ruby. We shouldn’t be gloating about how perfect our lives are when you’re single.”
“Don’t.” She holds up her hand. “I’m fine. I have my pigs, my renovation work, and an interview at Hatcher construction.”
“Whoa.” I lurch forward. “You’re going to work with Xavier?”
“Maybe.” She shrugs. “I don’t know. It pays more than the gym does, and its days versus evenings and weekends. Xavier was complaining the other day about having to do computer work and asked me if I’d be interested.”
“I bet he did.” Bella smirks. “Someone must not like how the gym rats look at the receptionist.”
“Please. Xavier hasn’t even noticed that I’m a girl. He just knows I know how to answer the phone and put people on hold while I get someone else. Apparently, that’s more than their last receptionist could handle. Right now, the guys are all taking turns filling in.”
I kiss the top of Grace’s head. She stirs in my arms and blinks up at me. “Hey, pretty baby, look at those beautiful eyes.” She lifts her tiny hand, and I can’t help from encouraging her to wrap it around my finger.
This is it. This is where we belong. “I need to call Iris again to see if she’s heard anything.”
“I’ll take her.” Bella lifts Grace from my arms. “Go, talk in private. Or from here. You know whatever you say or whatever you’re feeling….” She squeezes my shoulder. “We’re here for you. No matter what happens.”
“Thank you, guys. I love you both.” Tears sting my eyes as I grab my phone and walk to the kitchen.
Why did I refuse to let them help me sooner? Ruby and Bella are huddled up on the sofa with Grace, cake and wine between them. Life can’t get any better than this.
Chapter Sixty-Four
Jake
From Cedar Ridge Street, I watch Chad walking down the front steps with his hand around the back of Mackenzie’s neck as he steers her toward his car. God, he’s a dumbass. I’ve already driven by and confirmed that the Cutlass remains with expired plates, and yet again, he’s going to get in and drive somewhere.
Only this time, he’s got his sister in tow.
They’re wearing nicer clothes than usual. Chad’s shirt and jeans are free of holes and Mackenzie is wearing a dress. When Mackenzie steps into the streetlight, his grip tightens on her neck, hauling her to a stop. It looks like they’re arguing as they gesture animatedly toward each other with tight expressions on their faces.
When Mackenzie frowns at her brother, he shoves her toward the car. I grip the steering wheel to keep from jumping out of the cruiser and pummeling the asshole’s face. Thank God Grace isn’t subjected to Chad’s aggressive bullying because there’s no doubt his abuse wouldn’t into the next generation.
Mackenzie’s only hope is that she gets away from him. And soon.
Chad glances down the street, sees my cruiser parked and spins his stepsister to the left. Her face is livid as she lurches forward, righting herself before faceplanting on the sidewalk.
I guess he’s not as dumb as I thought. I shift the car into drive and ease forward. Chad drops his arm to his side while leaning down to say something to Mackenzie.
When I approach them, I roll down the window. “Nice day for a drive.”
“What’re you doing here? I’m about one second away from calling you out for stalking.” Chad’s hands ball into fists as Mackenzie rubs the back of her neck with a wince.
