Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 116708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
I swallowed the lump that had formed in the back of my throat. “They were doing what all twenty-something guys do: drinking and shooting off fireworks. Apparently, after you downed a bottle of whiskey, you stumbled over there yelling gibberish. One of the kids recognized you and made them stop the fireworks, and after that, you just sat down and passed out. Your phone was in your pocket and I was still programmed in as “Wifey,” so they called me instead of calling the cops. Some of the guys helped me drag you back to the house, and once you were settled on the couch, I locked the door and swore that I would never answer another call in the middle of the night again.”
Truett groaned, scrubbing his hand down his face. “Fuck. I don’t remember any of that. I was drinking a lot back then.”
“Okay, but you told me last night that you don’t drink anymore.”
He shook his head.
“Why not?” I asked.
“I don’t know. I guess I realized it didn’t help anymore. After a while, it just gave me more anxiety and made everything worse. So I quit.”
“Right. So I meant what I said that day, about hating you for the rest of your life. But you aren’t the same man I walked out on any more than you are the guy I had to drag off of the neighbor’s lawn.” I pushed my hand into his hair, gently scraping my nails on his scalp. “You’re trying to get better and I can see it. That’s all I’ve ever wanted from you, True. Effort. Just a little bit of effort.”
He wrapped his hand around the back of my neck, pulling my face to his, and softly grazed his lips over mine. “I’m trying, Gwen. I swear on my life, I’m going to keep trying every single day.”
His mouth was on mine in a flash, his tongue licking at the seam of my lips, begging for entry. I gave him what we both so desperately wanted. As our tongues rolled together, I relished the taste of his hunger for me. It matched my own desire for him, a fire he’d ignited a lifetime ago that had never been extinguished.
Fisting my hair, he anchored my head in place, deepening our kiss. He poured every ounce of regret for his actions that day, and all the days before, into me, his expert mouth reassuring me that he was working hard through his demons.
When he was finished apologizing through the warmth of his kiss, he gently pulled away, his eyes hazy and lust filled. The hand at the back of my head trailed down my arm before his fingers laced with mine.
“Go get your stuff.” I looked over his shoulder, dread filling me as I thought about him getting out of my car to walk into his house alone. A home that was filled with heartbreaking memories and utterly empty. I paused, weighing the likelihood of disappointment in his answer before I finally said, “Tomorrow’s Wednesday, True.”
He flashed me a tight smile. “I know. I’ll be with you. It’s okay.”
“And what about tomorrow night? I’ll have Nate, so I won’t be going to the restaurant.”
His forehead wrinkled. “Oh, right. Maybe you can drop me off before you pick him up?”
“Or, you can stay. He’s been begging for hot wings ever since Lucille introduced him to them. We could order dinner and just hang out.”
His eyes flared, uncertainty lining his brow. “Would that be weird—I mean, for him? Meeting the new man in Mom’s life?”
I laughed. “You aren’t new, silly. He knows who you are.”
“He does?”
“Truett, I didn’t erase you or Kaitlyn from my life. Nate’s always known about his sister, and in turn, her father. The two of you have never been a secret in my house.”
Truett’s fingers flexed in mine, his grasp growing even tighter. A sad smile crept across his face and I wondered if meeting my other child would be painful for him. Maybe I was putting too much pressure on him too soon? It had been quite the day of firsts for him already. Maybe this was one step too far.
“You can say no. The invitation is always open. It doesn’t have to be tomorrow.”
His strong shoulders rose as he drew in a deep breath. “I could go for wings.”
Relief mixed with excitement fluttered in my belly. “Okay, then. Grab enough clothes for two nights, I guess.”
He nodded, and I could tell he wasn’t completely comfortable with the idea, but no one could deny that the man wasn’t trying.
“I’ll be right back.” With a sweet brush of his lips across mine, he pushed the passenger door open and climbed out.
I rolled down the window, and as I watched him jog up the steps, I shouted, “Hey! You got any shirts with stripes? Maybe we could do a little guard and convict role-play!”