“She probably just wanted one more supporter.” He shrugged. “I don’t know if logic applies to her.”
I blew out a breath and took out my phone. It had been on silent throughout the night, but I did have a tag from theNeighborhood Watch group. I opened up the notification and my jaw dropped when I read it.
“It was afuckingmass text.” I showed him the post. “Everyone got it.”
“Are you kidding me?” he asked.
“It must have been a marketing thing.”
Dean shook his head, jaw locked tight. It matched how I felt. I was starting to hate Brooke. Maybe I should have felt like this a long time ago.
“I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to go home. Mom could come and get you and you could still take time away from the shop.”
It was tempting, but I shook my head. “No. Fuck that. I wanna enjoy Nashville and get time with you. I’m having fun tomorrow. She doesn’t get a say in that.”
“That’s my girl.”
“And I’m unsubscribing from her stupid text chain.” When it was done, Dean was smiling softly at me.
“Feel better?”
“I do, and now it’s time to finish cleaning your apartment and have fun.” I wanted to start tonight, but I broke out into another yawn.
“Tomorrow?”
I sighed. “Yeah, we’ll start tomorrow. Who knew growing a child would be so exhausting?”
44
DEAN
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
Mark Bell:Had some youngins in here visiting and they called me “unc.” What the hell does that mean???
Comments:
Jade Clark:Er, don’t worry about it. It’s short for uncle.
Mark Bell:Do I look like I’m an uncle to you???
Kerry Winsor:You know, Tommy says that all the time. I had no idea it meant that! He doesn’t even have an uncle, though.
Nicole Rudder:Jade, you gotta stop this. Unc means old. Mark, you got called old.
Mark Bell:Of all the people in town, ME??? I’m cool! They should have said that to Hugh or Dale.
Dale Garrett:Hey!!!
“Dean.”A soft voice pulled me out from sleep. “Deeeaann.”
“Hm?” I cracked one eye open and found Grace peering down at me.
It was the best way I’d woken up in a long time.
“Good morning.”
“Morning, Mama.” I snaked a hand around her and tugged her closer. She moved and swung a leg over to straddle me. Now I was really awake. “Need something?”