Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
“Um, I want to hear your thoughts. I thought we could use one for the engagement party and the other for the wedding.”
“I’ll have a look before I go to bed. Hey, my pizza is getting cold. Can I talk to you tomorrow?”
“You’re eating pizza before bed? Careful, Maribel. I remember that tight body from when we met. I hope you haven’t ruined it in the last three years. I would hate to have to push the wedding back for you to go on a diet.”
Gah. I silently scream into the mirror. He’s such a fucking asshole.
I have to bite my tongue to keep from saying something smart. Maybe if I return a hundred pounds heavier, he’ll leave me the fuck alone. That’s it, I’m going on a beer and pizza diet.
“I’ll be fine,” I mutter into the phone instead of telling him off.
“Circumstances have afforded you time to get this all out of your system. However, I look forward to claiming all that is mine. I count down the days until you’re with me.
“I trust you’ve remained my good girl. Sleep well, Maribel. We will be together soon.”
I hang up and make a gagging sound. There isn’t enough pot for me to smoke to make me okay with calling that man my husband. Cam is right; I have at least four more months to figure this out. If I can figure out how Dakota pulled another semester, I might be able to swing at least a summer session.
There has to be a way out.
CHAPTER 20
Conflicted Heart
Kayleen
“You seem distracted. What’s going on?” JR murmurs as he walks up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist.
“I just have a lot on my mind,” I say.
“Want to talk about it?”
“Look at these pictures. Your family, your parents, everyone looks so happy in them. When I look at photos in my home, something is always off. You know what else is different?”
I turn to look up at him. Everything about him is breathtaking. Even this home we’re in.
I say home because his family’s house is just that. You can feel the homeyness about it, as if the people who live here are bathed in love and comfort. I can’t remember the last time I felt that.
“When you look at the pictures around my house, they’re all filled with Cam and his family or me and Cam. The ones with smiles are all the ones with me, Cam, Cal, and Dakota.”
“Okay, you’re losing me.”
“I’ve lost myself. This wasn’t supposed to go on for this long. We’ve been together for almost four years, and I’ve been with Cam that entire time.
“I’m hurting someone I’ve loved all my life. I still feel guilty after we have sex. I feel like the most disgusting person in the world.”
“So you want to break things off with me?” he asks, taking a step back.
“That’s not what I said.” I run my hand through my hair. “I’m confused. I don’t know what to do. I love Cam, but I love you too.
“You’re what I want, but he’s what I’m supposed to want. My mama is already planning the wedding. I don’t know what to do,” I say, looking down at the ground.
“What’s your heart telling you to do, Kayleen? What makes you happy?”
“I don’t know. Being with Cam isn’t all bad. He’s caring and protective, but so are you. I just … I don’t know.”
“Why bring this up now? You had all break to say something. Why do this right before I have to go back?”
I begin to sob. I know the reason why, but I don’t tell him. I think Cam is starting to suspect something is off.
He’s been pulling away. Yeah, I’ve spent less time with him over this holiday break because JR is home, but when I’m with Cam, he’s not there with me, especially over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know. I just don’t want to end up like my parents with their weird relationship,” I sob.
“There’s nothing weird about their relationship. Your father divorced your mother to protect the both of you. They stayed divorced after the investigation was over just in case,” JR says.
I look up at him in shock. “How could you know that?”
“People talk. My mom is an attorney. I went from a criminal justice major to a biological sciences one. I think I can put two and two together. It’s not rocket science.”
“Don’t talk to me like that. I’m not dumb.”
“I didn’t say you were. Baby, calm down. I’m just trying to talk you through this.
“I know you feel this like I do. We belong together. Once I pick which league I want to enter, we’ll be set.
“I can give you all the things Cam can. We can be happy together. You don’t always have to do what your mom wants. You have a right to make your own choices,” he says while cupping my face in his palms.