AllFreeNovel
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“If you must.” He shrugs before he walks out, shutting the door behind him. As soon as he’s gone, I run up the stairs and start packing. Jerome wakes, and I manage to throw on a dress from the pile on the floor before I go over to him.
“Is it still nighttime?”
“It is… go back to sleep.”
“Why are you up?”
“We’re going to go to a hotel. Doesn’t that sound fun?”
“But I like it here,” he complains, rubbing his eyes. I brush the hair away from his face.
“I know, baby, but a hotel is where I need to be right now.”
“Okay, let me help you.” He gets out of bed, and I smile to keep from crying. If I ever did anything right in this life, it’s him. Solely him. He starts to pack his bag, and I do the same, throwing everything in and carrying it downstairs. When we get to the steps, the front door opens, and Joey is there. Abigail’s not with him. He pauses, glances at me, then continues into the house, not saying a word.
“Come on, buddy,” I whisper, walking out the front door.
Jerome yawns as the Uber I called pulls up, and I settle him into his booster seat before I get in and look back at the house.
Joey is standing there, a drink in hand, watching me.
I look away first as we pull away.
I’ve ruined us.
I have to accept that.
I did this, and that’s okay because I would do it again if needed.
I willnotapologize for wanting my son back.
We pull up to a hotel, and I check us in and then order room service. Jerome eats ice cream before he passes out again.
And I stay awake all night.
Wondering what my next move is.
Can we meet tomorrow?
I readthe text from Sailor but don’t reply.She knows? Or if she doesn’t yet, she will. Joey tells his brother everything. And this is going to be a topic of conversation I will need to have soon.
He knows where you are,just so you are aware.
Of course,he does. Joey knows everything. Turning my phone off, I lie down and dream of a life where we are free.
A life where no one controls anyone.
What a life.
Pity, it’s not mine.
Yet.
TWELVE
JOEY
“Do you plan to see her?” Sailor asks.
