Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
My phone rings, and I feel guilty when I see Zach’s name on the caller ID. I texted him to let him know Abby was okay after our visit to The Club. I haven’t actually talked to him on the phone since then, though. I answer it a little subdued. “Hey, Zach.”
“What’s up, brother?”
Fuck, the guilt is real.
“Not much, just sitting here.” And automatically, my mind goes to shit. Thinking of all the ways I want to violate your sister. I’m definitely going to hell. There’s no doubt about it. “What are you doing?”
“Going on a short mission tomorrow.”
I lean forward and tense. “What’s the details? Where are you going?”
“Relax,” he says. “It’s in the States. It’s an in and out.”
I let out a breath. I know shit happens everywhere, but from my experience, the missions in the States go way smoother. “That’s good. Let me know when you’re back in.”
“Sure thing. You seen my sister?”
“I have. Alexis was sick the other day, and I went over and hung out for a while.”
Worry fills his voice. “She okay?”
I nod. “Yeah, just some kind of stomach bug. She’s fine now.”
He’s quiet for so long I automatically get defensive. He huffs. “So, uh, you just hanging out taking care of sick kids these days?”
“You asked me to look out for your sister and niece.”
He laughs. “I know, and I should have figured you’d take me literally. How about Mom and Dad? You seen them?”
I swallow. Yes, I saw them at the dance recital, but I don’t mention that. “Actually, I missed Sunday dinner and so I’m going to see them this Sunday.”
“Good, good.”
I’m quiet, and all I can think is how I need to talk to him and let him know what I’m thinking about Abby. I owe him, that but I also don’t want to tell him over the phone.
“I’m actually going to go see Abby in the next night or two. You okay with that?”
“Uh,” he starts. “What does that mean, ‘see Abby’? Is there something you need to tell me, Jones?”
I cringe. “Probably, but I think I’d rather talk to you in person. You coming home soon?”
“Home? What the fuck, man? You liking that small-ass town or what?”
How do I tell him it’s not the town? It’s being near his sister that makes it seem like home. “Yeah, well Whiskey Run sort of grows on you.”
I hear an alarm go off over the line, and Zach says, “Shit. I gotta go. Take care of my family, bro. I’ll call you in the next day or two to let you know I’m good. Walker will have my coordinates.”
“Love you, bro. Take care of you.”
The phone clicks, and I’m taken back to what my life used to be. There’s a part of me that is sick knowing I’m sitting here safe and Zach is still putting his life on the line to save others. But at the same time, I couldn’t imagine leaving now. Not with Abby and Alexis here.
My phone dings, and I look at it immediately, holding my breath, hoping it’s Abby.
Hey.
It’s her, and I type in a response and push send.
Hey you.
The bubbles pop up, and her text finally comes through.
What are you doing?
I’m not going to lie to her.
Sitting here, thinking of you.
She doesn’t respond right away, and I think for the thousandth time that I’ve overstepped. When her text finally pops up, I jump from my seat and almost fall on my ass as I try to gain my balance. I read the text from her again.
Alexis is at her dad’s for the night. Do you want to come over?
I’m on my way
I text her, as my heart starts to race.
I drive across town in record time. When I get to her house, I park right in the driveway, not wanting to hide the fact I’m here. When I walk up to her front porch, before I can knock, it swings open, and Abby is looking up at me with desire in her eyes. “That was fast.”
She has her hair up in a high ponytail. Her T-shirt is tight and hanging off one shoulder, and her shorts don’t leave a lot to the imagination. “Fuck, you’re beautiful.”
She smiles and tilts her head to the side. “You don’t have to flatter me.”
I grip her chin with my thumb and forefinger. “Trust me, by the end of the night, you won’t have any doubts about how beautiful I think you are.”
I grab her shoulders and turn her around. I close the front door and lock it, and with my hand to her back, I guide her down the hallway. When we get to her bedroom, I stop next to the bed and tower over her. She’s looking at me with so much trust and desire, but I still have to ask as I brush the hair away from her face, “You okay with this?”