Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“This is going to be so, so bad,” she groans.
“It’s not going to be bad,” I reassure her. “We said we won’t tell anyone.”
“You think no one is going to know?” She laughs. “Everyone is going to know; it’s going to spread like wildfire.”
“It’s not because I know and you know,” I point out, “and Gabriel knows, but no one else knows.” I catch myself. “Zoey knows, but she doesn’t know who, so it’s still just the three of us. We can keep a secret. Don’t give him my number,” I quickly add.
“He knows where you are,” she reminds me, making me ball my fist and punch the sky in frustration.
“It doesn’t matter. It’s done. It’s over. It was one time plus a onetime thing, and it’ll never happen again.”
She laughs but not a real laugh, more of a why-are-you-so-dumb laugh. “If that is what you think, you are barking up the wrong tree.”
“No one is barking, and there is no tree.” I get up. “Now, I’m going to go to the grocery store, and then I’m going to go for a walk.”
“And then do my cousin a little more.” She snickers. “If your brother finds out…”
“No one is going to find out, I promise.” I walk down the stairs. “I pinky swear I will not tell a soul, and I will not do your cousin again.” Even saying the words, I know that it might be a lie. But I’m committed to standing by my word. As long as he doesn’t kiss me, touch me, or look in my direction, I think I’ll be fine.
“I never want to talk about this again,” she scolds. “Now, your nephew is up and thinks my breast should be in his mouth every second he’s awake.”
“Goodbye and kiss the gremlin for me,” I tell her as I hang up, and the minute I do I wish I’d gotten Gabriel’s number to tell him that he is not to come back to this house.
I put on my sneakers, grab the black puffer vest, making sure I have the house key, and pick up my purse and phone. I’m getting into the SUV when the phone rings, and I answer it without checking. “Hello.” I put the phone to my ear, slamming the door shut.
“Zara,” Daniel says, “I didn’t think you would answer.”
“I thought I blocked you,” I reply, putting my head back. “What do you want?”
“We have to talk.”
“Really? I’m pretty sure I said everything I needed to say, and I don’t really care to hear anything you have to say, so I think we are good.”
“Since we are going our separate ways,” he says, his voice low, “either one of us needs to buy the other out of the house or put it on the market.” He trails off. “Unless you’ve changed your mind.”
“Fine, buy me out,” I state.
“What about your furniture?” I close my eyes. “What do you want me to do with that?” I want to say throw it out, but that couch is a great couch, and it took me a year of searching to find it. “I can keep it until after Christmas, and then you have to come and get it.”
I tap the steering wheel. “Fine, but you aren’t there when I come.”
“This is my house, you aren’t going to tell me to be here or not be here,” he says, his tone angry. “You ruined everything.”
“I ruined everything?” I laugh. “Your dick ruined everything. You ruined everything.”
“Whatever. By January second, I want your shit out of my house.”
“It’s not your house yet, dumbass,” I point out, “and until we sign the papers, it’s still half mine.”
“Send me the papers to sign,” he snaps.
“With fucking pleasure,” I retort, hanging up the phone and finally blocking his number. I look over to the forest and get back out of the car, not in the mood to go grocery shopping. Instead, I walk toward the barn. Smelling the fresh air, I calm myself down from the phone call I just had.
I take out my phone, pull up my mother’s name, and send her a text.
Me: Daniel wants to buy me out for the house. Can you please do the paperwork?
She wastes no time answering me back.
Mom: Consider it done.
I put the phone back in my pocket and walk toward the trees, seeing a little trail at the end. I walk into the forest. I don’t think I’ve ever heard the sound of birds flying overhead. Living in the city, it’s full of horns, sirens, and planes landing and taking off. This is so peaceful. The twigs snap underfoot as I move deeper and deeper into the forest. The sound of rustling happens nearby, and I look over to see horses to the right. Stepping out into the clearing and just watching them run by, I’m in awe. I watch them run past me, taking in their beauty. I walk along behind them for I don’t even know how long until I’m standing in a big clearing, and I see three men on horses look back over at me. “Shit,” I mumble to myself when I hear creaking going on behind me.