"Ready or Not" is the follow-up book to "Take Two".
Olivia Bowsher stumbled upon the truth after twenty five years- life as she knows it has been distorted and carefully planned by her family and late husband Jakob.
Revelations of Jakob's clandesti...
This chapter is dedicated to LoganBeadnell. It should make sense why. And thank you, JessEubanks, for always brainstorming ideas with me.
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Sober in the morning light, I find Olivia sound asleep, and I slip out of the room to freshen up in the shower.
I weave my hand into her hair, gently jostling her awake, pressing my lips to her forehead, murmuring her name. I trace her sandy blonde hair splayed out on the pillow until her sleepy blue eyes focus on mine. "Sean—Chris, hi."
My heart tugs at the idea she thought I was her boyfriend, but I offer a genuine smile while standing. "Gotta go deal with life. Thanks for being there for me."
She sits up quickly, clearing her throat, then rubbing it. "Do you want me to come with you?"
"Nah, you have your own life to get back to."
Her hand flies up toward my face before disappearing into her hair. "But who is going to help you?"
I shrug, a sardonic grin on my face. "The professionals."
"But —"
"I'll be okay." I kiss the top of her head before murmuring, "Take care."
***************
The chair quakes under my bouncing leg. There's no caffeine in my body, but I'm jittery like I downed three Red Bulls in twenty minutes.
"Would you chill?" Will chides.
"Uh-huh."
To my utter shock, I learned my grandparents didn't want a memorial service. The funeral director showed me their irrevocable burial contact thirty minutes ago. Can't deny I'm a bit relieved this part is almost over. I want to pay the balance and get the hell out.
"Excuse me, Mr. Rollins." My head swivels to find her voice as Caitlyn returns to the room with a sheepish smile. "There is somebody else here who claims to want to be a part of the arrangements for your grandparents."
It can't be my brother Danny—I talked to him this morning and reassured him I had it covered. He didn't live with them, so he's not as close to them. He stayed with Dad and Leah—
I shoot out my chair, and Will jumps when it clatters to the carpet. "The fuck he will!" I spit out. "Where is that asshole?"
"Whoa, man—"
Before Will can grab my arm, I stalk to the hallway with murder on my mind. Hands tucked into his pockets thumbs in his belt loops, he breaks into a small smile. "Christopher."
My reply is ice cold. "Steve." It takes everything in me not to swing at his jaw right now.
