Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
“Then why did he leave me?”
“Well, men are stupid and emotions overwhelm them,” Glenda says with a small smirk, and Cillian nods in agreement with her. I bite the inside of my cheek, not sure if I can really believe that. Why didn’t he turn and kiss me? He just admitted he loved me after he stormed out of my apartment.
“You don’t have anything to say about this?” I ask my brother because he can be more protective than my dad at times.
“I don’t stand in the way of two people in love,” he says simply. For once, I don’t want to think the worst. I want to face the truth and not run from it in fear.
“I’ve got to go,” I tell them before I take off in the direction that River went. I search a few places that people like to mingle, but don’t see him. I debate going back to my place and grabbing my phone when I hear my name.
“Mara!” I turn and see Emma marching toward me with determination all over her face. What’s a bit surprising is seeing her dragging along one of the guys she’d pointed out to me when we had lunch. The ones we decided were douches.
“What’s up?” I ask as they draw closer even though I’m still looking around for River.
“Tell her,” Emma orders, and she pulls tight on the sleeve of his shirt. “Do it, or I’m reporting you.”
A chill breaks out across my skin because I can feel something bad is coming. Of course it is. My hands start to grow clammy, and my heart rate picks up.
“Don’t report me! It’s bullshit. He hasn’t even banged her yet. I mean he’s still got a few days, but no harm, no foul. Right?” The guy gives me a pleading look like I can save him.
“What?” I ask, confused. “I’ve never banged anyone.”
“See there, nothing happened.” Emma releases his shirt, but the guy stays there. “Run before I change my mind.” In a flash the guy takes off across campus. “I hate boys,” she growls low under her breath.
“Can you tell me what’s going on?”
Emma’s angry face turns to a sad one. “I spotted the hot guy that got your food when he stormed by me a little while ago.” She points over her shoulder. “A group of friends started razzing him, and I overheard them say that from the look on his face he hadn’t finished the bet and nailed you. One even said tick tock. Like there’s some fucking time limit.”
“No.” I shake my head. “He wouldn’t. Not River.”
“I’m so sorry, Mara. It was him, and they even said his name. Fuck, I’d go beat his ass, but he got into it with one of them. The one I managed to follow from the group took off so he didn’t get caught up in the fight. I thought if I cornered him and threatened to talk to the dean, I might get something out of him.”
“It was all a game?” I mutter as tears once again start to fall.
“I take it you want to get out of here?”
“Please. I’ll go anywhere,” I beg.
“I’ve got you.” She locks her arm with mine, leading me in another direction.
My mind can’t help but spin as I try to figure out how long he’s been planning this. I’m starting to think that maybe the River and I met outside the bakery was the real one after all.
Chapter Twelve
River
It’s dark by the time I get back to my building, and there’s no answer at Mara’s door. I tried to call her, but it kept going to voicemail, so either she has me blocked or her phone is off. I had to blow off some steam, and apparently that included getting into a fight with Andy and Jack. At the same time. Somehow in the tussle I managed to hit my own lip, so it’s busted and bleeding.
Walking into my apartment, I toss the keys on the table and sigh. All I wanted to do was get the fucking groceries and then fall back into bed with Mara until the end of time.
“Was that so much to ask?!” I shout into the void.
“Depends on the question.”
I turn around so fast I almost fall over, and that’s when I see my brother Felipe sitting on the couch in my living room.
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
He slowly stands and tucks his hands in his pockets. “Get changed. We’re going out.”
“I don’t feel like it.” That’s when I look down at my shirt and see there’s blood all over it. Deciding I don’t feel like having it on me anymore, I take my shirt off and stomp to my room. “You can go now.”
“You’ll want to come with me when I leave.” He’s right behind me, and when I don’t answer him, he leans against the doorframe of my bedroom and watches me with that all-knowing big brother stare.