Baby (Laundromat Chonicles Book 3) by Angie Merriam Read Free Book Online Page B

the approaching women I say goodbye and slide into my car.
    ***
    I’ve lived in the area my entire life so the directions to Jase’s place are simple enough. The house I pull in front of is a modest ranch style house with a well-kept yard and truck in the driveway that I immediately recognize as Jase’s. I’m almost to the front door when it flies open and Jase steps out.
    “What’s up, man? You made it. Did you have any trouble finding the place?” His hand juts out to mine in welcome.
    “No trouble at all,” I reply as our hands shake.
    “Good, come on in.” He invites, breaking our hands and turning back into his house. Once inside I’m surprised by what I see. I’m not really sure what I was expecting, a bachelor pad maybe but instead the house is furnished and decorated for a family.
    “Well, welcome,” he begins and I can hear the nerves in his voice. “This is the living room. The kitchen is around the corner, and the bathroom is down the hall, first door on the right. Help yourself. I have some grub over on the table. Mi casa es su casa.”
    “Thanks, bro.”
    “Yeah, you want a beer or something?”
    “No thanks, Coke maybe.”
    “Pepsi okay?”
    “Perfect,” I reply, not wanting to remind him that I’m not of legal drinking age.
    “Coming right up,” he says before disappearing for a few minutes. He returns, handing me my Pepsi with his beer in his hand. “Game should be starting soon.” He plops down on the couch using his remote to turn the TV on, then finding the right channel. There isn’t a lot of conversation in the beginning. Both of us clearly have not hung out with anyone in a while. I glance around the room and notice photos of Jase with a woman and a little boy. More photos of the child and woman littered the room. The more I look around the more I’m convinced that Jase is married. Fuck. Is he cheating on his wife with Amanda? All the knickknacks around the room reminded me of Lena’s mom’s house, a womanly touch, not that of a bachelor. Jase must have noticed me looking around because he breaks our silence with a loud throat clearing.
    I look back at him, trying not to look confused or judgmental. What people do in their own lives is none of my business, although I really thought he was more of a man than one that cheats on his wife. The photos tell the story of a happy family, not a broken one like Amanda seems to live in.
    “Where’s your wife and kid today? Are they going to be back soon?” I ask carefully. The look on his face changes from slightly uncomfortable to completely broken. His eyes cloud over, and his mouth turns down. He sucks in a sharp breath of air before letting it out forcefully.
    “Uh, no actually they’re not coming back at all,” he admits, running his hand through his hair.
    “Oh, okay. I’m sorry, didn’t mean to pry was just curious,” I admit, ready to move the conversation forward. Maybe he’s not a dick after all. Maybe she left him. Who knows, not my business.
    “It’s all good, bro. After all this time I should be able to talk about it without turning into a pussy.” His voice is shaky yet there is a hint of desperation in his words.
    “You don’t have to tell me anything, dude. We can just watch the game.” Darn, I should have kept my mouth shut.
    “Nah, I need to. I don’t want you thinking I’m a dick because I know you’ve noticed Amanda and me together.” I nod in response. He stands from the couch and goes to the family picture of them. “I also knew inviting you over would mean I’d have some explaining to do. It’s time anyway.” Removing the photo from the wall he sits back down on the couch, handing the frame to me.
    “This is Britanny, my wife and Daniel, my son. They were in a car accident a year and a half ago. Drug addict on the run from the police. She didn’t even see him coming. Crashed into her car going over 100mph, killing both Brit and Daniel instantly.”
    “Oh shit, I’m sorry, man. So