Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 39424 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39424 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
I pull my legs up and rest my chin on my knee. He was hurt. If I had known that, would I have done something different? I close my eyes and think back on that time of my life. I have no doubt whatsoever what I would have done. I would have found him and stayed with him through his recovery. I would have fought for him—with him—to make sure he had the best treatment possible. I would have done anything to be with him.
But he didn’t give me that opportunity.
He didn’t give me a chance. Hell, he didn’t give us a chance.
I’m sure he thinks he did the right thing, but I have to disagree with him, and I don’t want a repeat from the past.
I lift my head, open my phone, and search my contacts. I click on Elias’ name and start typing. Before I can talk myself out of it, I hit send.
I re-read the text I just sent.
Just checking to make sure I have the right number.
I hold my breath as I wait for his response, but I don’t have to wait long.
You have the right number.
I let out a sigh and stare at the phone. I should just let it go because I know I have the right number, so I should just leave it at that. But that’s not who I am.
I’m about to type a response when another text comes through.
What are you thinking about?
I’m about to text him nothing when another text comes through.
Don’t tell me nothing.
I smile and shake my head and type out an honest answer.
I’ve been sitting here reading the texts I sent you after you left five years ago.
The bubbles appear and let me know that he’s writing something, but they disappear before the text comes.
I can’t look away from the screen as I wait for him to text. Finally, it comes.
I’d like to read them.
My heart starts to race at the thought of him reading the text messages. Just the thought of him reading the text where I confessed to loving him has my palms sweaty and a pit forming in my stomach. I reply,
Maybe.
Before he can ask again, I change the subject.
I’m scared, Elias.
Of what?
I bite my lip.
That you’ll leave and I won’t hear from you again.
I slowly let out a breath as I wait for his response. I remind myself that no matter what he says, I can’t fully trust it. He’s let me down before, and he’ll do it again.
A week, Chloe. I promise.
I stare at the phone and read his response over and over. I want to tell him that five years ago, he made promises too and didn’t keep those, but I don’t say any of that.
Okay. Be safe. Talk to you soon.
I set the phone on the concrete slab beside me, and even though I have a lot of things I need to be doing, all I can do is sit here and worry if Elias is going to be okay and if he really will be coming back to Whiskey Run.
CHAPTER 12
ELIAS
It’s been a day since Chloe hugged me and held me close. I thought going away on this mission would be for the best, but I’m missing Chloe something fierce. I’ve tried to convince myself that this space is for the best. I need to keep my distance from her, but even knowing that, it doesn’t stop me from picking up my phone as I stand up to take a break.
“I’ll be back,” I tell the men in the room, and they nod as I walk out into the hot Texas sun. I slide my glasses over my eyes and call Chloe before I can talk myself out of it.
“Elias?”
The surprise is evident in her voice. “Yeah, it’s me. Is it a bad time?”
She rushes to answer. “No, is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine. How’s work going?”
If she’s confused, she doesn’t let on. “Work? It’s good. I just got out of class actually, and I’m sitting in the office, getting ready to start on next week’s schedule.”
“The asshole leaving you alone?”
She laughs. “The asshole? You mean Ronnie?”
“Yeah,” I grunt.
Instead of answering me, she asks, “Why do you care?”
“Because a man should take no for an answer, that’s why, and if he’s bothering you, I can make him disappear.”
She’s laughing, and I can’t help but smile as I listen to her. “That should freak me out, Mr. Military Man, but somehow I just think it’s sexy.”
Fuck, is she flirting with me? All I can think about is being buried inside her last week and what I’d give to do it again. “Are you flirting with me, Chloe?”
She stutters over the words. “Uh, do you want me to?”
I almost say yes and then think better of it. As I run my hand through my hair, I start the apology. “Shit, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t lead you on, and we both know I’m not a good bet when it comes to relationships and shit. I just… I just wanted to hear your voice.”