Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 119005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Maybe that’s why what happened next hurt so fucking much.
It was Braden dropping his fork onto his plate and stiffening in his seat that made me pause mid chew. The table went quiet as all gazes moved to something behind me and Beth.
I glanced over my shoulder, my heart dropping into my stomach at the sight of Gavin standing at my back.
He was a scruffy mess.
He looked like he hadn’t shaved or washed in days, and his clothes were wrinkled like he’d been sleeping in them. He was also close enough for me to smell the beer and stench of body odor on him.
Fuck.
Beth’s hand landed on my thigh and she squeezed in reassurance.
Blood rushing in my ears, I turned a little more toward him. “What are you doing here?”
“Interrupting, am I?” He grinned, showing off teeth that had once been perfect and white, now stained and yellow. His gaze flickered to Joss. “Long time, no see.”
Beth’s mum didn’t reply.
“Go home, Gavin,” I told him calmly.
“Nah, nah.” He moved forward, leaning his elbow on my chair. I reared back from him. “Since I’ve been banned from the fucking grounds, I had to find another way to get to you.”
“You followed me?”
He straightened, shrugging. “Imagine havin’ to follow your son to get his attention. You ungrateful wee fuckin’ bastard for banning me. Who the fuck do you think you are? You’re scum. You’re a talentless wee pissant.”
Horror thrummed through me. Not only that he was here embarrassing me in front of Beth’s family, infiltrating their lives in a way Braden had warned me couldn’t happen, but because they were witnessing how he treated me.
And if your father thought you were scum …
“I need money.” He wiped a hand under his nose. “Give me a couple thousand or I go to the tabloids and tell them what an ungrateful wee fucker you are.”
I froze. Unable to speak. Think. Mortified. Bleeding inside.
“Go away, you piece of shit,” Beth gritted out.
Gavin turned on her. “Dinnae get me started on you, sweetheart.”
“Gavin.” Braden’s warning voice cut through the whooshing in my ears.
Gavin ignored him, turning back to me, bending down to peer in my face. “Give me money. You owe me for taking you in when that bitch died.”
I shot out of my chair, lunging for him. Beth grabbed me, holding me back with surprising strength.
And suddenly, Braden and Adam rounded the table and had Gavin by both arms. The restaurant fell silent as they dragged him, cursing the whole way out.
I trembled as I watched through the window as Braden shoved Gavin. He stumbled, falling on his arse. Braden said something, his entire body bristling with threat. Whatever he said, it was enough to shut Gavin up. Then he and Adam strode back into the restaurant. “Sorry, folks,” he announced calmly to the restaurant. “Please accept a complimentary drink on me.” He nodded to the maître d’ as if to say “Make it happen.”
It wasn’t until he and Adam were back at the table that the noise level rose again. But I could still feel eyes on us.
And I felt like they were peeling back my layers, trying to figure out if what Gavin said was true.
“Forget him,” Beth whispered in my ear, rubbing a hand down my thigh. She pressed gentle kisses along my jaw until I began to feel them. Feel her. Emotion was thick in my throat as I turned to her.
Beth looked deep in my eyes. “I love you.”
She did.
She loved me.
“I’m sorry.”
Her eyes filled with sorrow. “You never have to be sorry for him.”
It was difficult to return to the easy conversation we’d had earlier, and sensing it, Braden hurried the rest of the meal so I could get out of there. I was thankful.
After we’d paid up (or Braden had and wouldn’t let anybody else chip in), we stood outside the restaurant, waiting for a couple of cabs. The family seemed to know to give me some space, so I stood there, locked in my own head, while Beth tucked her arm in mine and stayed close.
Adam and Braden, however, joined us after a minute or so.
“I’m sorry,” I said before they could say anything.
Adam scowled. “Son, you’ve nothing to be sorry for. We went to school with Gavin. I’ve always hated him because he’s always coveted everything that everyone else has but never wanted to work to get it for himself. It took Braden a wee bit longer to see what he was about, but we all know. We know he’s scum.”
I flinched but nodded, looking at my feet.
“Son?” Braden this time.
I looked up.
Braden’s expression was hard. “Does he talk to you like that all the time?”
“Dad …,” Beth warned.
“Aye.” I shrugged because there was no hiding it. He’d fucking humiliated me in front of them all.
“Then you’re a miracle.” Braden patted my shoulder. “Respect the fuck out of you for what you’ve done with your life, considering you had that shit spewed at you. And you know it’s bullshit, right?”