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But hey, I can work under pressure … under alcohol … under heartbreak.
I have to work, or I’ll go nuts upstairs, thinking about her.
I’ve always thrived on solidarity and silence, but suddenly, I hate it.
The man who never needed anyone needsher.
I miss her—her presence, her scent, her laughter.
I miss my rebellious princess—the woman who pushed my buttons from our first meeting, who challenges me and pushes a smile out of me more in one day than I used to in months.
I miss her when I close the bar.
I miss her when I slide into bed.
I miss her and can’t fucking sleep.
32
Sierra
Three days have passedsince I walked away from Maliki.
Three long, miserable-as-hell days.
He keeps calling.
I keep ignoring.
“Hey, babe,” Ellie says, walking into Rex’s apartment with ice cream, hot wings, and wine. She glances around. “Your little bro’s pad isn’t as bad as I imagined.” She drops all her items, including hand sanitizer, on the floor next to the couch.
I called my father and asked if the apartment he’d offered was available. It wasn’t. I needed a place to stay and asked Rex if his offer was still open. My baby brother doesn’t ask questions. I’m closer to him than any of my other siblings.
He shares the three-bedroom apartment with another roommate, who welcomed me with open arms. It’s a total bachelor pad with large TVs, video games, and movie posters as the wall decor,butthey do keep it clean and are respectful.
I hop up from the couch to put the ice cream in the freezer and grab two plates from the set Devin’s uncle gifted us on our wedding. Next, I open a drawer for the wine opener and snag two wineglasses.
Instead of avoiding Ellie’s apartment in fear of running into Devin, it’s now Jessa I’m dodging.
Ellie blows out a long breath when I hand her a plate. “Damn, am I in one crappy position.”
I open the bottle of wine and pour myself a full glass. “I don’t expect you to take my side over Jessa’s.”
“She’s in the wrong though.”
I gulp down my entire glass and pour hers. “You really didn’t know he was Molly’s dad?” The question has been lingering in my head since Jessa’s big reveal.
From Ellie’s reaction when Jessa broke the news, it seemed Ellie was clueless, but I never know. She could’ve been protecting her family.
“Hell no. I would’ve told you the moment I found out. My sister led our entire family to believe Pete was Molly’s dad. Hell, she made it seem like what she and Maliki had was just a fling. I told you my sister had slept with him. That wasn’t a secret. I never knew it was more than that, and I definitely didn’t know my niece was his. I can’t believe I missed it though. I mean, he looks nothing like Pete.”
I nod even though I don’t know Pete.
I do feel bad for the guy though.
Not only did he think Molly was his, but he also had to deal with Jessa on the regular.
I shiver, just thinking about it.
