My Sister's Ex Read Online Free PDF Page A

modest, one-story frame home. Within seconds, the garage door automatically opens. Jeff pulls in next to another car whose body is completely cloaked with a sheet of light blue fabric. He jumps out of his car and waits for me, then walks over to the covered vehicle.
    “Even though I have a garage, I still gotta protect Ella with the indoor car cover; it’s actually called WeatherShield fabric, and it’s great at protecting my baby from nicks and scratches.”
    “Ahh, so she’s special, huh?”
    “You better believe it. It’s a classic that I enjoy maintaining. Ella is the kind of car that everyone knows is mine whenever I take her out for a drive.”
    “Well, let me see her.”
    “Of course.” Jeff grins at me and reaches in his pocket. He retrieves a set of keys and inserts a tiny key inside a lock that is attached to the car cover. The lock pops open, and Jeff completely pulls the fabric off his Mach 1.
    “Hey, this is so cool.”
    I extend my hand toward the hood.
    “Don’t touch it. I got it waxed recently and …”
    “Oh,” I say, embarrassed. “Well, she looks wonderful, and I can’t wait to ride with you, Jeff.”
    He quietly nods then rushes to refasten the cover again.
    Jeff says, “C’mon, let’s go inside.” I follow Jeff as he unlocks the side door that leads to the house. We enter his place, first passing through a tiny room that has a washer and dryer, and then I find myself in the kitchen. Leftover dishes are sitting on his dinette table. I notice half-eaten sandwiches sitting on napkins, and bottles of soda with missing caps line the kitchen counter.
    “Excuse the mess, beautiful. It’s not usually like this. I haven’t cleaned up in at least two months; been too busy hustling and trying to make that paper.”
    “Oh, no problem,” I say with an encouraging smile, but inside I am disgusted. I am not very tidy myself, but it’s only because I get so busy I don’t always have time to straighten up. I do a halfway job of cleaning at least once a week, though, which is better than nothing. I am not sure if Jeff’s excuse is the real reason, especially since he invited me over. Well, I’m no shrink, but I have an idea.
    The signs of depression aren’t that hard to figure out. Quiet as it’s kept, men get depressed, too, and I’ve learned it takes a man much longer to get over a breakup than it does a woman. I mean, it’s only been a couple of months since Rachel broke off the engagement. So it is possible that he still … no, I won’t let my mind go there. I am not about to be anybody’s rebound woman.
    “Honey, you can be transparent with me. If you are a messy person I like to know these things up front.” I laugh and say sheepishly, “So tell me. Is this the Jeffrey Williams way?”
    “Baby Doll, you’re going to find out what the JeffreyWilliams way is.” He winks, yet looks embarrassed. Blushing, I go pick up a dirty plate and fork and take both items to his kitchen. The stainless steel sink is filled with old, cloudy-looking dish water whose bubbles have long disappeared. I take a deep breath and pull out the plug, allowing the water to drain. After I replug the sink, I turn on the faucet and squirt out a glob of liquid detergent.
    Dang, I must really be feeling this man, I’m thinking to myself.
    “Hey you don’t have to do that. You’re company.”
    “I am not company, Jeff. I mean, I am, but I want to be more than just a guest. You know what I’m saying?”
    He grins and nods, and I do my thing, taking a rag and washing the plates and cups and utensils while listening to Jeff talk.
    “Man, I’m out there on the streets hustling every day. From sunup to sundown I chase paper. I can make two grand to thirty grand fixing up and selling properties. So far I own six properties, and before it’s over I want to own twelve.”
    “Why you own so many houses?”
    “Trump is my inspiration. He started buying one property at a time. And that’s what I’m doing. I