Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
I look over my shoulder and see my girlfriend’s eyes pop wide. And my heart plummets.
Chapter 29
That Kind of Smith
Jess
My mouth is suddenly dry as I look back at three sets of eyes boring into me. My brother just looks confused. Wes looks like he’s ready to rip Blake to tiny shreds with his bare hands. But now Blake suddenly looks unhappy, his handsome face falling.
And shit. I don’t want Blake to ever look the way he’s looking now, like I’m about to reject him. This man has a heart the size of Ontario. He was far kinder to his crazy ex than I could ever be. And he’s spent the last week showering me with affection. Maybe I feel a little overwhelmed by life right now, but I’ll be damned if I’ll let him think that I haven’t noticed just how special he is.
It’s more than a gut feeling I have about him. So I say what needs saying.
“Wes,” I say softly. “You’d better just get used to it. Blake and I are together for real.”
Blake’s expression fills with surprise. Then he gives me a wide Riley smile. “Aw, Jessie. You make me so happy.” He pushes me against the elevator wall and kisses me.
Wes makes a strangled sound, but luckily the elevator doors ding open. As Blake steps back, I see my brother steer Wes toward one of the stone columns dotting the fancy lobby and say a few quiet words to him.
Holding Blake’s hand, I stop outside the elevator. “Sorry about that. I don’t know why Wes is being such an ass.”
“Eh, he’ll come around.” He squeezes my hand. “Are you okay? Wish I could drive you to school.”
“I’ll be fine.” It’s true too. Even if I am about to learn I got a shitty grade on my exam, I know I can tell Blake later. He’ll listen, and then he’ll say something sweet. Then he’ll strip off my clothes and make me forget.
We’re good for each other. I’ve finally figured that out.
Across the lobby, Wes takes a deep breath and lets it out. His shoulders relax. Then he dips his chin and walks back over to us, his gaze on Blake. “You’ll treat her right,” he says. It’s a command, not a question.
My eyes are rolling so hard right now I could power that revolving restaurant at the top of the CN Tower. But I manage not to say anything snarky while Wes and Blake have their moment.
“Of course,” Blake assures him. “You have nothing to worry about.”
Wes strokes his chin and nods. “Okay. Sorry.”
“Apology accepted.” Blake’s smile is blinding.
“So, uh.” Wes clears his throat. “We’re a little late for practice. I was gonna drive Jamie to work, but…”
“You need a ride in the Hummer.” Blake laughs. “That’s rich.”
Wes puts on his best humble face. But he’s not very humble, so it’s a stretch for him. “Please? I’ll stop being an ass.”
“Is that even possible?” Blake tosses his keys in the air and catches them. “Fine, bud. Let’s go. Just stay out of the back seat, because that spot is special to me and Jess now.”
Both Wes and Jamie look horrified, but Blake just laughs. He gives me a kiss on the forehead and a promise to call me later. Then he and Wes depart.
“So.” Jamie shoves his hands in his pockets. “You want a lift? I’ve got the car now.”
“Sure.”
I follow my brother to the building’s parking garage downstairs, but he’s awfully silent. We get into Wes’s SUV before he says, “Why didn’t you tell me? Why lie and say it was a joke?”
“It was a joke. But now it’s not.”
He sneaks a look at me. “Does that make sense?”
“Blake doesn’t always make sense,” I point out. “But he’s pretty great anyway.”
Jamie snorts. “You and Blake. That’s some trouble right there.”
“Why?” I’m ready to be offended. My family always assumes the worst of me.
“Well, he’ll want glitter and zoo animals at your wedding,” Jamie replies with a snicker.
“What wedding? I said I was dating Blake, not marrying him.”
My brother is quiet for a moment. “I know you’re a commitment-phobe. But now that the shock is wearing off, I can sort of see you two together. And Blake is the kind of guy that when he falls, he falls hard. Before today, I never heard him speak about any other girl the way he talks about you.”
Oh boy. There’s a lump in my throat when I think about how well he treated his horrible ex even after she crushed his spirit. God, I hope I don’t fuck this up. I can’t even argue with my brother calling me a commitment-phobe. My longest relationship lasted nine weeks, and there was a two-week spring break in the middle of it.
“I’ll be good to him,” I say quietly.
Jamie gives me a smile, and there’s no judgment in it. If I’m lucky, it will stay that way.