Down and Out (Hawks MC: Caroline Springs Charter Book 3) by Lila Rose Read Free Book Online

she was the best outta the lot of them that day. None of the others gave two hoots about what Koda was eating.
    "Mena," I said to grab her attention from Koda. "See you Monday at eight thirty. I start work at nine and Koda usually wakes just before then. It'll be until five from Monday to Friday."
    Her hands clasped in front of her heart, and her smile grew big. "I got the job?"
    "Yeah, woman. But you fuck my kid or me over, be prepared to face what happens."
    She nodded. "I got you. I mean, I won't… do what you said."
    Only time would tell.
     

Chapter Four
     
    Mena
     
    After leaving Mr Brooks's house, I found myself smiling with hope in my heart, which hadn't happened for a while. Excitement about the job sent a thrill throughout my body, causing me to shiver. It also made me smile giddily and want to dance because I'd get to spend a lot of my time with Koda. He was such a gorgeous little boy. Each smile, laugh, and look from him was precious. Even after such a short time with him, I knew that much already.
    Not only did I feel lucky to have a job where I would spend it looking after a cute little monster, but I needed the job like I needed a new place to live. If I knew nine months ago, I would be in the spot I was, I would have done something about it. But I didn't, so there was no point in living with regrets. They got a person nowhere in life.
    And that was why I didn't regret marrying my childhood friend, Mark.
    It would be easy for me to do so, but again, it would get me nowhere.
    Mark and I had been inseparable since kindergarten. We were there for each other in every way. He was my rock when first my mum died and then my dad. Then I had the chance to be there for him when his dad passed. Some would say we'd had a tragic life, so much death, so much misfortune, but we made sure we had each other and that was all that mattered.
    It wasn't until two years earlier that Mark asked me to marry him. I knew I loved him. He was my best friend after all. Only, he loved me in a different way.
    Never had I pictured us in a relationship, but I was worried I would lose him if I said no. I was worried I would lose the only person who had been there from the start.
    Guilt played a big part in my life over the previous year.
    I felt guilty I didn't love him like he did me.
    I felt guilty for giving in and promising him a part of me that I couldn't give. My whole heart.
    And guilty because of the anger I felt for him, when he was so important to me, had grown inside of me in the last year.
    If I hadn't married him, I wouldn't be where I was.
    Then again, I wouldn't have been able to see him before he died. I still, even after it all, cherished that morning kiss goodbye.
    Six months earlier, Mark was on his way to work his night shift when there was an accident. An accident he caused because he was drunk. An accident that not only took his life, but the life of a mother. When the police came to our door the next morning, I knew something bad had happened. I'd felt it deep within me. My body stiffened only to fall to the floor in a heap while I'd burst into heaving sobs of tears. Unbearable pain had coursed through me knowing I'd never see Mark again.
    He'd been drunk that morning because he'd been stressed. I blamed myself when I hadn't smelt it on him before he left. I blamed myself in many ways. We were in a lot of debt and couldn't seem to climb out. It wasn't a situation we needed to be in. However, Mark had always liked the best in life. A new apartment, a new car, a new beginning. He didn't understand I didn't need or want any of it. All I cared about was his happiness. Yet more guilt, when I foolishly let it happen and didn't say a thing. Since then, a pang of sorrow lived inside of me and always would because I'd lost the last person I loved in my life. However, on some days, anger would take over. Anger would rise to the surface because he'd stupidly drank that day and caused an accident taking his life, a life I'd