Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73828 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73828 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
He nods. “Yeah. School’s been kind of a pain recently. That web development class I’ve been taking has been kicking my ass. It’s got a fucking lab unit in it, and I pretty much spend every night coding.”
How can I look like I give fewer shits about his fucking classes?
“So,” he adds, “I guess that thing with you and you-know-who kind of just…”
“Not really any of your fucking business what happened with that.”
I use the past tense to throw him off. No reason to give him anything he can start a rumor about.
“Well, it’s good seeing you. You look like you’re doing good.”
He’s got his charm set to ten. That tone that’s so trustworthy. This façade he’s always been so good at putting on to make me think he might really be a decent person. Although, after what happened with Morgan, I know better, and he’ll never fool me again.
“I don’t know if you heard about me and Morgan?” he asks.
“I did. Sorry it didn’t work out,” I say, my tone dripping with sarcasm.
Mom checks her watch.
“Almost time, boys,” she says.
“Well, I’ve gotta get ready for the performance,” I tell Greg.
He smiles.
“Good seeing you, man.”
He heads out with Kendra.
And there’s something sad about him leaving again. Regardless of how much better I’m doing now, he’ll always be my first big heartbreak. The first time I let someone in and was truly deceived. And that hurts. It stings to my core.
I hope Tim comes tonight.
It’s strange thinking that with Tim, it’s really possible he might arrive. Although, the idea of us being able to do anything is absurd.
14
TIM
I crave Mark.
Hunger for him in a way I’ve never hungered for another guy.
We just saw each other the other night, but the longer we keep this up, the harder it is when he has obligations that prevent me from being able to fuck him. So I’m pissed that he’s supposed to be at one of his hoity-toity fundraisers tonight, especially since I have deliveries to make tomorrow and the next night. There are several big mixers at the fraternities that my clients want to be fully-stocked for, but I don’t know how I can manage three nights without seeing my hot piece of ass.
I pull up alongside the downtown Marriott.
When he first sent that text about me meeting him here, I could tell he was half-joking, but I was deadly serious. His suggestion got me thinking. I imagined slipping into the fundraiser, weaving my way around the party and cornering Mark in some secluded area. Taking him the way he needs to be taken. I know he’d like the danger of possibly getting caught. So what began as a silly idea became a mission.
I pull a Nikon camera out of my bag. It can’t take any pictures. Just has an impressive flash and a long-ass telephoto lens. I got it off eBay because when I was first working with Roy, he told me the best way to get around events is to look like a photographer. That along with a button-up, tie, slacks, and a confident attitude can get me in just about anywhere.
I head inside and see a woman checking people’s tickets as they enter the ballroom with the signage for the fundraiser.
I glance through the doorway to see if Mark has arrived. Can’t see him.
When I approach the woman taking tickets, she eyes the camera and waves me in, offering a friendly smile.
A woman speaks at a podium on a small stage before a projector that flashes images of kids. Tables are packed with guests. I’m still searching them for Mark but don’t see him, and I don’t see his mother anywhere either.
I notice another photographer taking pictures around a few of the tables. I make like I’m taking my own pictures and start approaching guests for photos. The photographer glances at me as though he’s glad one of his own is here. I offer a friendly smile and wave.
“And now I’d like to introduce,” the woman at the podium says, “someone who needs no introduction. She is the face of this organization. She isn’t just a woman who cares about this issue, but the mother who has walked the walk…the hard path of being a mother of a child suffering from leukemia. She is a beacon of light in dark times, and she’s here to talk to us today about the importance of donating to help with this research. Ladies and gentlemen, if you’ll please offer a warm welcome to Governor Darlene Kenmore.”
Applause.
Darlene, Mark, and Mark’s father step out from behind the screen the video is being projected on.
Mark smirks. Seems like a sort of rehearsed expression he makes at these sorts of events.
In a navy-blue suit, he looks adorable as ever.
His mother wears a white dress with blue stripes that are complimented by Mark’s outfit. It’s obviously designer. He and his father flank either side of Darlene at the podium.