Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
The truth is there’s a part of me that has always been attracted to Tara, and I know this is a bad idea. I’m not even sure I can make it through one night of acting like we’re together without letting her know I really am attracted to her.
I run my hand over my chin. “One night?”
She tilts her head to the side. “Well, it’s a little more than one night. The wedding is out at Sugar Lake. People are staying the weekend for the rehearsal dinner and the wedding. So technically, it’s a weekend.”
I hold my hands up, shaking my head. “No way. There’s no way I can do a whole weekend, Lexi.”
She wants to argue with me, but she surprises me by giving up. “Fine.”
Instantly guilt sets in. I never tell my sister no, but it’s more than that. I don’t want to leave Tara to deal with this on her own. I can only imagine how she feels knowing that her sister and her ex-boyfriend are getting married. Talk about a shit show.
But I can’t do it. I barely know Tara, but I’m attracted to her, and I’m not wanting to go down that road. The only thing I have to offer anyone is a one-night stand, and I can’t do that to my sister’s best friend. Not that she’d be interested anyway. Hell, all she wants to do is use me. It may not be for my fame or money, but she’s wanting to use me all the same. No, it’s better if I don’t get involved.
“Fine,” my sister repeats. “But I need you to apologize to Tara. You hurt her feelings, and even though you didn’t mean to, it happened all the same. She’s my best friend, and you’re my brother; you two are the most important people in the world to me, and there can’t be hurt or bad feelings between you.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
Lexi looks at me with doubt, and I force a smile on my face that I’m not feeling. “Come on, have I ever lied to you? I’ll fix it.”
She nods and leans back in her chair. I wave at the manager, and when he comes over, I hand him my credit card.
After leaving a big tip and thanking the manager and his team profusely, Lexi and I walk outside. I open her door for her and then get into the driver’s side of my SUV. “Where you going?”
“To the florist shop.”
I put the car into gear. “Is Tara working this time of night?”
She turns toward me. “She could be. I mean, I wouldn’t put it past her. But her apartment is above the shop.”
I drive toward town. “What’s been going on with you? We haven’t gotten to talk about you.”
Lexi takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “School is about it. Chemistry is about to kick my ass, that should be expected because I hate science. But I’m determined to get an A.”
It’s only a few blocks to the florist shop, and I park in front of it. “What about a social life? You can’t do school work all the time.”
She shrugs, but I don’t let her off the hook. “Lexi, come on, are you getting out doing things? Are you dating?”
She shrugs, and it’s that right there that hits me. There’s a sadness about her lately, and I’ve tried to not worry because I know she has a lot on her plate, but I can’t help it. I have a guilt inside me that I’ve traveled so much through the years, always in and out of town. She is my priority, but I had to work so I could send her to school and give her the life she deserves.
“Lexi…” I say when she doesn’t respond.
“No, bub, I’m not dating anyone. There was someone I liked, but well, it didn’t work out.”
“Is that why… I mean, I know something’s been bothering you lately.” I stop and blow out a breath. Fuck, I wish I was better at this. I wish our mom was still here. “Do I need to kick some kid’s ass?”
Lexi blurts out a laugh. “Really? No, I’m fine. Broken hearts happen. It’s fine. I’m fine, and I’ll get over it.”
I get out of the SUV and walk around to let her out. She stands up, and I continue our conversation. “What can I do?”
She avoids my gaze. “Nothing. I’m fine, I promise.”
“You know you can talk to me.”
She finally looks at me, and the sadness in her eyes is clear now. She shrugs her shoulders. “I know I can talk to you, but I need to deal with this on my own.”
I hate that answer. I want to be the one she talks to and take all her burdens away. I run my hand through the scruff on my chin. “Okay, but if you need anything…”