Abrupt Changes: A Second Chance Romance (O-Town Book 3) by Karen Renee (comprehension books .TXT) 📕

about how it was before she was born, Erica refused to believe it. Couldn’t wrap her mind around our mother taking a beating from anyone, let alone the father of her children.

As much as it annoyed me that she defended our father in that way, I saw him leaving as the biggest favor that asshole ever did for us. Had our father stuck around long enough for Erica to remember his violence and hatred, she wouldn’t be the vibrant, fun-loving girl we loved.

So, if I ever ran into that son of a bitch again, leaving us before Erica could fully cogitate would be the only thing I thanked him for.

Growing up, Erica accused Mamá of playing favorites with me. I thought she might be right, but if she was, it was because of how I stepped up to defend and protect Mamá, but Erica had no memory of that. Laura tried to enlighten her once, but all of us had inherited Mamá’s stubborn nature and Erica refused to hear any of it.

I was so wrapped up in my thoughts, the sharp thunk of knuckles on my window made me jolt. The person stepped back, and looking up, I saw it was Carlos standing outside my vehicle. He wore an Orlando Magic baseball cap, a white wife-beater, and jeans slung so low they defied gravity. I jerked my head to the side and as he rounded the hood, I unlocked the doors so he could get in on the passenger side.

“Why you followin’ me, Ramsey?” he asked, as he closed the door.

I clenched my teeth for a moment. “Not followin’ you, jackass. I’m watching someone who works in this area.”

“From your car, you’re watching someone? Coulda swore I just saw you on your phone.”

What did my sister see in this asshole?

“What do you want, Carlos?”

“Wanna know why you’re staking out my favorite corner store.”

I couldn’t tell him who I was watching, and not just because I knew he’d run his big mouth about it.

With a closed-lip smile, I looked over to him. “Like I said, I’m doing my job, Carlos.”

He squinted at me, but before he could ask me anything further, I spoke.

“Who’s the Blood Erica was with before you stepped in again?”

He looked away from me, his face stony as he tried to hide from me. “Don’t matter. That’s over.”

“Asshole hit my sister. I’m gonna make sure he knows how over it really is.”

His muddy brown eyes hit mine and the fire in them surprised me. “Don’t. Won’t do anybody any good.”

“Carlos, she’s my blood.”

The fire in his eyes amped up a notch. “He’s not just bad. He’s really fuckin’ bad, man.”

Ice ran through my veins again. I bit out, “Who is he?”

“Not tellin’ you. It’ll make shit worse.”

My hands itched to grab him by his shirt, but as if he knew my intentions, Carlos opened the door and left.

“Sonuvabitch,” I whispered.

Chapter 13

Pleased with Yourself?

Raegan

NORMALLY, TANYA TOOK her brood home before five in the afternoon. However, I knew they would stick around longer because of the light in her eyes when I asked for a red dress.

She had bopped over to her house for the dress, came back within twenty minutes, and insisted I try it on, but wouldn’t hear of me not giving her and Mom a sneak peek of it.

I wandered into the living room in the dress with my feet bare.

Jared looked up from his toy cars. “Miss Raegan, you look pretty.”

“Thank you, sweetheart,” I murmured.

“That’s not what Clint’s gonna say,” Tanya muttered.

“Only if she finds the right shoes,” Mom said.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure my black sandals will work.”

“Not those flip-flop looking shoes,” Mom said.

“No, Mom. The pointy-heeled shoes.”

Mom nodded her approval. Tanya settled into the couch like she was right at home.

Now, it was closing in on five-thirty and I overheard Tanya asking Mom what was for dinner.

“I don’t know, dear. Whatever it is, I’m sure it’ll be low in sodium, which means low on taste.”

I shook my head. “It’s not that bad, Mom.”

She barked a humorless laugh. “I haven’t seen you eat much of it, missy.”

Tanya grinned at me. “When is Clint picking you up?”

I tilted my head a smidge. “He said before seven.”

Her grin became a beaming smile. “I should do you hair!”

My brows furrowed. “That really isn’t necessary, Tanya. I appreciate it, but it’s just a date. Not anything—”

“Bullshit,” Mom snapped.

My mouth dropped open for the briefest moment. “Mom! Jared doesn’t need to learn that word from you, and it certainly doesn’t need to be the first word Marcus utters.”

Tanya scoffed. “Puh-leeze! I say far worse than that when driving I-4. And you need to listen to the words of your Momma!”

I gave her my dead-eyed dirty look. “Been listening to Michael Franti much?”

She grinned. “You know it!”

I shook my head. “This isn’t—”

“Then why did you need a red dress, Raegan Anne?” Mom asked snidely.

I pursed my lips and looked to the side.

“Exactly,” Mom said.

Tanya twisted her wrist and her Apple Watch lit up with the time. “All righty, seems I have just over an hour to get your gorgeous red hair in tip-top shape. Let’s go, woman.”

I shook my head while I followed her to the bathroom.

Half an hour later, I was dolled-up and dressed-up in a red velvet long-sleeve dress. Clint was likely to lose his mind because this was not a dress I would buy for myself. It featured a deep-V, to the point I had to lose my bra, because I was bustier than Tanya was before having kids. I usually went out of my way to blend in and not draw attention, but the sequins set on top of the velvet meant everybody would notice me. Luckily, the dress was short and had ruching at the waist, which hid my belly pooch. The dress was tight, but the off-center slit allowed me wiggle-room to walk in my stilettos.

When I came out of my room, the doorbell rang. Gabe stood at the front door with