Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
20
PAISLEY
"You all right?" I jump, letting out a small scream. "Whoa, it's just me." Cole laughs.
"Sorry." I wipe my hands down the front of my jeans. I'm not sure how to go about this.
"Why are you so jumpy?" He’s right, I am on edge. He would be too if he knew what I was about to ask him. I’ve been trying for the last twenty minutes, but I’m unsure exactly how to word it. It may be because I think my request might be illegal.
"I wanted to talk to you about something." I glance around the bar to make sure no one is on to me. It's been a slow night. I've been stalling to pull Cole aside and talk to him, but I need to do it before Jackson shows up. Once he gets here, he won't let me out of his sight. No one has ever watched over me the way Jackson does. Some people would probably get annoyed by it, but that’s the opposite of the way it makes me feel.
"So talk." Cole puts his elbows on the bar, giving me his full attention.
"I guess it's more like asking you something," I correct myself. Cole only raises a brow while waiting. "Okay, so I kind of need to see about getting some drugs." I breathe a sigh of relief that I finally managed to get the words out.
"What?" His expression turns into one of confusion.
"I mean, I know it's not legal or whatever, but I need them." It’s the truth. He’s the only person I can ask around here.
"That's what most addicts say." Oh crap. This is not going the way I planned.
"It's not a bad drug." I probably should have started with that.
"What the hell are you talking about here, Paisley?"
"I'm running low on insulin. I need you to help me get some from somewhere.” I normally would just go to a damn doctor or urgent care, but that’s not an option when you're on the run and hiding out. I know how far my family’s reach is.
"Can't you get that from the pharmacy?" He shakes his head, as if I've lost my mind.
"You need a prescription."
"Okay, you don't have one?"
"Not here."
"I'm pretty sure they can transfer them." My stomach turns. "Hey." Cole must see my distress. His whole demeanor softens. "Have you talked to Jack about this? If anyone can get anything in this town, it would be him."
"No." I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. I didn’t want to ask him to do something against the law for me.
Jackson’s an American hero. He got hurt in the line of duty, saving someone and everything. His girlfriend can’t have him get her drugs. Plus, it would open up so many other things. The main one being that I think I’m engaged. Though I was never asked, I'm not sure how that all works, but still.
"Paisley, it's obvious to anyone with eyes that you have secrets. I think it's time you told Jack about them."
"I know." I've been debating it for a few days now. I can’t hide them forever. I’m sure my parents are searching for me, and it’s only a matter of time before they end up finding me if I stay in one place. "I don't want him to think of me as a liar."
"Not all lies are bad. It can be hard to trust people, but I think you trust him. Don't you?"
"Yes," I say without hesitation.
Jackson has been so good to me. I'd trust him with my life, but that's not the issue. It's how he'll see me after, that I’m worried about. When my parents do find me, I'm sure they'll make up stories to get me to come back home. They always have a way of getting what they want. It's why I had to run. If they didn't know where I was, then they couldn't get in my ear. Guilt me into doing what they want.
"Talk to him." He knocks on top of the bar, then nods his head toward the other side of the room. I turn to see the very man we're talking about coming toward me. When our eyes meet, a smile tugs at his lips. The man can go from looking like a grumpy bear to being easygoing with one of the smiles that I'm noticing are reserved for me alone.
Without a thought, I rush over toward him. When I'm close enough, he reaches out and scoops me up. As he plants a kiss on my lips, my feet leave the floor. I melt into him, forgetting about everything else in this moment. Jackson has a way of doing that to me.
“How’s your night been so far?” He lets me slide down the front of his body until my feet touch the floor. His hand goes to my ass, keeping me flush against him.