Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 90290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
My head shakes slowly.
“Fuck my life.” He opens another bottle and drinks half of it down.
“Is it that bad?”
“I don’t know what it is,” he says. “I suggested we set a date for the wedding or start looking at venues, but she wants to finish this program. Which I get. I stupidly asked her what she’s going to do when she’s done, and she said work. Again, I get it. She wants her own money and wants to feel independent, and I’ll support whatever she wants to do. But each time I try to talk to her about a wedding and tour, all I get from her is, ‘I have school’ and ‘There are things I want out of life’ but she won’t tell me what those things are or give me a chance to give them to her.”
“Oh.”
“Pretty much all I can say, too.”
“So, you didn’t tell her about the upcoming tour?”
Quinn shakes his head and takes another drink, emptying the bottle. “I did not, which I know is a mistake, but I didn’t want to deal with it.”
“I thought she enjoyed being on the tours?”
Quinn shrugs. “I thought she liked a lot of things.”
I turn at the sound of Peyton coming toward us with bags of food. I get up and take them from her.”
“Why’d Nola leave?” Peyton asks.
“What’d she tell you?” Quinn asks.
“She has to study.”
“Then that’s it,” he says to his sister without looking at her. Peyton eyes me and I shake my head. This will have to be a conversation for later. One I am not looking forward to. The twins were cautious of Nola when Quinn first introduced her to them. The last thing he needs is for his sisters to put a wall up when it comes to his girlfriend. If I’m not careful with what I tell Peyton, that’s exactly what will happen.
21
PEYTON
As much as I wanted Noah to stay with me, he returned to Portland and I decided to go home to Beaumont. I hate these feelings he has about his job. The organization is making him feel like he’s done something wrong. I don’t get it. And I hate being in the dark. I know I’m not privy to contracts and negotiations, but this is my husband they’re messing with, and as a result me. I place my hand over my tummy. If Noah isn’t in Portland playing, I’m not staying. I hope they understand this. They can’t honestly expect me to stay on staff if my husband isn’t there.
I miss the beach. The sound of the waves coming ashore. But I love being back in Beaumont at my grandfather’s house, even if he’s not home. When he said he was going on a cruise, I had no idea he meant a multi-month cruise. I’m happy he’s out there living his life, but damn. His life is more exciting than mine.
Being in Beaumont means I have to drive. It’s not so bad when the town is small, and traffic is all but nonexistent. I pull into the farthest parking spot and get Stevie Nicks out of the SUV. Of course, Noah makes me drive a tank. If I had to guess, he’s had the sides reinforced or something.
When we get to the carts, I pull one out and tell Stevie Nicks to give me a hug. It’s another command Noah’s taught her, where she stands on her hind legs and if I’m crouching down, she’ll put her paws on my shoulders, making it easy for me to pick her up. I’m sure the grocery store has a problem with her being in there, but I’m hoping they’ll allow it since she’s in the cart.
“Be good,” I tell her as I give her a snack. She sits there, probably a bit uncomfortably. If there’s a next time, I’m going to bring a blanket for her to sit on. We head in and instantly the employee gushes over her. I’m biased, but she’s definitely a cutie.
“What’s her name?”
This is exactly why I told Noah Stevie Nicks needs a pink collar and I’m glad I held my ground and added a bow. I didn’t want to have to correct everyone each time they called her a boy.
“Stevie Nicks,” I tell the young girl.
Stevie Nicks looks at the girl, almost as if saying pet me now.
She smiles. “That’s the cutest name I’ve ever heard. Can I pet her?”
I nod and watch her lean into the young girl’s touch.
“Am I allowed to have her in here?”
“Yeah, as long as she stays in the cart. The owners don’t really care. Your sister brings her dog in here all the time.”
“You know my sister?”
She nods. “Yeah, everyone does. She’s at the school a lot, cheering for Mack Ashford.”
Hearing this about my sister brings a smile to my face. I know Mack helps with Beau, but it really seems like Elle and Ben have brought Mack into their lives in ways no one expected.