Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
But lately, I haven’t felt that, which is why I think I jumped in with both feet at Coleson’s idea.
“Well,” I start before exhaling a deep sigh. I look down at my drink, so I don’t have to look in their eyes like the coward I am. “We’ve been dating on and off for over a year. Mainly just, er…” I pause, flashing my peepaw a shy look.
“Just say it,” he demands, watching me.
“Just friends with benefits. And we started it up again a couple months ago, and things got serious quick. I’ve been in love with him ’cause it’s me. I love love,” I say with a flip of my hand, laughing. But no one laughs. They just stare at me. “Come to find out, he fell for me and asked me to marry him. It was rash and quick, but we plan on having a huge party in a year or so.”
I need to remember to tell Coleson that last part.
Just in case someone asks.
Maybe I’ll still have a big party.
A divorce party.
Austen’s voice fills the space. “Who is he? Have we met him?”
I shake my head. “No. Since I didn’t think it’d get serious, I didn’t bring him around. And then it all happened so fast. Truly, it’s ’cause Louisa has left me alone so much,” I say with a laugh. But once more, no one finds me funny. “I’m just kidding.”
“Eliza,” Elliot snaps, and something in her eyes makes me feel like she knows. “Who is it?”
I hesitate, and my stomach does flips. I clear my throat, and with the biggest and brightest smile imaginable, I hope they believe me as I say, “Coleson Katz. The owner of Drippy Drip and one of your players, Peepaw.”
The silence is deafening. The tension is suffocating, and all I can do is sit there. I watch as Elliot looks at Peepaw, and their eyes meet as Peepaw’s face and neck turn bright red. I almost take cover since I’m sure he’s about to flip the table. “Coleson Katz,” he repeats, his eyes narrowed to slits.
“Coleson Katz,” Elliot seethes, and while I’m confused, I flash them both a winning grin.
“Yup. He’s wonderful, and I know he has a bit of a reputation, but he did all that when we were apart. He thinks he was acting out because he didn’t understand his feelings for me. You know, stupid guy stuff,” I say with a cheery laugh, but no one even smiles. My laugh dies off, and I press my lips together. Elliot and my peepaw are still staring at each other as if they’re having a conversation through telepathy.
I need to stop reading paranormal romance.
“A bit of a reputation,” Clara muses, shaking her head. “He’s the town slut.”
“He’s slept with everyone,” Louisa adds, her eyes burning into mine.
“Liza, even I know about him. He slept with a teammate’s wife, and Dimitri says that’s worse than doing drugs.”
“Don’t be dramatic. Drugs are way worse,” I say, waving her off. “And I know he’s done some stupid stuff, but haven’t we all? He’s turning over a new leaf, and he’s really good to me.”
“If he’s so great, why haven’t you ever talked about him?” Louisa asks, her words bringing my attention to her. “We talk about everything, and you’re telling me you’ve been sleeping with this guy for a year and never said a thing? What happened to swearing off guys?”
I knew this wasn’t going to be easy, and I hate how my eyes itch from tears wanting to escape. I inhale deeply, pushing my shoulders back. I may need two orgasms a day after this. “It wasn’t serious between us, Lou.”
“And?” she asks, and it kills me to see the hurt in her eyes.
“I’m sorry. I know this is a lot, and whoa, I jumped the gun. I know. But truly, I’m so happy.”
They don’t believe a word I’m saying. When Elliot pulls her gaze from my peepaw’s, she looks at me, and I smile. “What’s wrong? You two are acting weird.”
She nods slowly. “I’m gonna head out.”
“Don’t, Elliot,” Peepaw says, clutching her hand. “We’ll have a meeting.”
“Sure. After I have a meeting of my own,” she snaps, pushing back her chair.
“Elliot?” Louisa asks, but our younger sister just throws up her hand to stop her. She’s furious, and I don’t understand. I knew they’d be hurt they weren’t there, but I wasn’t expecting her to be shaking mad. The flush is deep in her fair skin, dark red creeping up her neck and jaw to her cheeks.
Peepaw tries to grab her wrist, but she shakes it out of his grip. “Elliot!” I yell, standing up, my chair falling back behind me.
“What is going on?” I ask my peepaw, but he is already standing up. He doesn’t spare me a glance or even a word. He follows my sister, and I can’t help but do the same. I have a bad feeling, and I think I know where she is going.