Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Her half-smile mirrored mine, except hers had that iconic Mom concern that always made me feel safer. “We’ll get this worked out.”
“I know.”
Before I could walk away, she snagged my hand, giving it a squeeze. “You know he loves you, right?”
“I’ve never doubted it,” I said, not having to ask which he she was referring to.
Mom and Dad met when I was almost ten, and he’d doted on us from the first second. He worshiped the ground Mom walked on and never failed to dote on me as if I was his own.
With one last hug, I made my escape, climbing back into the black SUV, thankfully alone.
I looked out the window, procrastinating the inevitable.
“Fuck it,” I muttered, unlocking my phone to find Austin’s messages pinned at the top, marked with a circle holding a picture of us posing as Goose and Maverick from last Halloween. With a deep breath and a sad smile, I typed out my message and hit send.
Here went nothing.
Chapter Seven
Austin
Rae: Can we talk?
Rae: Austin, can you at least message me back?
“Who’s that?” King asked.
“Rae.” I looked down at the messages. One from a couple days ago and then the one that just came through. I wanted to keep ignoring her—maybe if I did, I could keep ignoring the reality of our situation. Maybe I could try to ignore the bullet wound gaping in my chest.
“Of course, it is. I should have known better with that look you get on your face when she contacts you. Except now, it’s got this sad puppy dog look to it.”
“Fuck off.”
“I would, but then you’d be a lonely, sad puppy dog, and I’m too good of a friend to abandon you. You’re welcome. Now, tell me what’s up.”
He ignored my deadpanned stare, not caring in the least that I didn’t find his ramble amusing.
“Well?”
“She wants to talk.”
“And…”
“And I don’t know,” I answered vaguely, dodging his inquisition.
“All right, enough with this closed-off bullshit,” he declared, pointing his beer bottle at me. “You’re not talking to her. You’re not talking to your grandparents, and you’ve given me grunts in response to my questions. I’ve learned more about what happened from the tabloids than I have from you. So, unless you want to bottle it up until you explode, I suggest you get over yourself and at least talk to me.”
As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. I’d avoided my grandparents like the plague. I hadn’t even opened their texts, knowing they’d only serve to increase my guilt. The preview text ranged from surprise to congratulations to asking when I’d bring her up to see them. I almost laughed at the thought of Rae at the farm. She was the complete opposite of the small town and creaky old floors.
Draining my beer, I avoided looking at King for as long as possible, instead studying the few patrons at the pub on their lunch. King tapped the table, letting me know my time was up.
“I don’t even know where to start,” I ground out. “It’s just all a mess. I woke up next to her—naked and married.”
“Whoa,” King exclaimed. “Did you sleep with her?”
“I…don’t think so.”
King’s brows rose to his hairline, his eyes wide.
“No,” I answered with conviction. “We were so drunk, I can’t remember anything beyond the party, but I’d remember if I slept with her. I’d have to remember something from that, like flashes or something. She’s too important not to.”
“Damn, Austin,” he muttered softly.
“What?”
“I knew you liked her, but this is more than that.”
“Of course, it is. I’ve wanted her for so long. Being married to her feels like…fate or some shit.”
“Except it’s not.”
His words hit me like a slap to the face. “Damn, King. Way to cut off any hope.”
“I’m sorry I’m not pulling up your astrological sign to see what we should do next,” he said with a laugh. “You know I’m too practical.”
“Yeah. Maybe it’s really just a cruel plot twist to give me what I’ve wanted, only to rip it away because she doesn’t want to be married to me.”
“Is that what she said? She doesn’t want you?”
I grimaced, thinking over the argument. Trying to avoid a game of twenty questions, I gave him all the gritty details, including what a dick I was to her.
“Whew, boy. We’re going to need another round,” he said, gesturing for more drinks. “At least, I’m going to need another round. You, my friend, are going to need a miracle to make up for what you said.”
“Yeah. I fucking know it,” I grumbled. “I was just so angry, and I couldn’t help but feel slighted. Every time she laughed over it, I felt like she was laughing at me—laughing at the idea of being married to me.”
“From what I know, Rae doesn’t want to be married to anyone.”