Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 57201 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57201 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Can we make it work this time?
Fuck if that’s not the million-dollar question.
“I’m happy for you, Reed,” I answer honestly, bringing my attention back to the conversation at hand. Anything else I’m thinking is for later—much later.
“What’s going on with you and Katie?” he asks, and I knew the question was coming.
I rub my thumb against the knuckle of my index finger and count backwards from ten. It’s silly, but it’s a trick I learned when I was waiting for the buzzer and the gate to shoot open when I was riding. It helps to clear my mind and dissolve the thoughts that threaten to consume me when they shouldn’t.
“Nothing. We’re working together so that I can get to know my son. That’s it.”
“It sure seems like the spark is still there,” Reed baits me.
I shrug. I’m not going to deny it. I’m many things, but I’m not a liar. The spark is still there. Instead, I counter with the truth. “She was just about to marry my brother. She loves him.” God, those words are bitter on my tongue.
“Love is a strange thing, Jake. You can love someone and still have to keep moving. You might even find someone you feel you could be happy with and love—but love will always be different. Yet, if it’s the right person, that love never fades. It’s always there waiting to catch fire again.”
“Says the man that never moved on from his first love,” I laugh, knowing he’s full of shit.
“I never did,” he admits. “That doesn’t mean there weren’t relationships, and one woman that I’m sure I could have loved. The thing is, as wonderful as that woman was, she’s married with a kid now, and though her man might be a dick to me at times, I can tell they’re meant to be together—just like Callie and I are.”
I can admit to being surprised that Reed even looked at another woman. We’d fallen into the habit of not keeping in touch over the years because our careers took us in different directions, but I never saw him with another woman. The fact that there was someone even in the running is shocking. Still, his life is not mine. “Let it go, Reed.”
“I’m just going to say that I love Jeff, but you and Katie have a connection that lights up the room. You may be too stubborn to admit it, but don’t let a second chance pass you by, Jake. If you still love her and you want to fight to be with your family, then do it.”
“And what about my brother?”
“I think the fact he’s not here, fighting for his spot in their life, is enough reason for you to step up to the plate.”
“I think this might be something for you to stay out of. I don’t know what’s going on. I’m trying to concentrate on Lennon, and right now, that’s all I can do,” I tell him, keeping my voice down so that Katie can’t hear.
“I’ll stay out of it, but I don’t mind telling you that I am hoping you make this work.”
“Do you know your problem, Reed?”
“What’s that?” he asks, his gaze traveling over to Callie. As if she can feel his eyes on her, she looks up and gives him a smile, and I look back at my buddy to see his grin spread. Jesus.
“You’re a hopeless romantic,” I mutter, disgusted.
He laughs. “Yeah, well, if you had the life I have right now, you would be too,” he responds, and I find myself turning to look at Katie. She’s looking at me, and when our eyes meet, she gives me a tight smile, her cheeks filling with color.
“I guess I would,” I murmur under my breath. Reed doesn’t hear me. He’s already walking over to Callie. I didn’t mean for him to anyway. I’m too busy wondering if I could ever make Katie smile at me the way Callie is at Reed right now.
What the fuck am I doing?
CHAPTER 19
Katie
“Night, Jake.”
“Night, little man,” Jake whispers, his long fingers combing through Lennon’s hair. Something about seeing them together makes my heart squeeze in my chest. This is what I always wanted—what I used to pray for when I was pregnant. It’s also something that I long ago accepted would never happen. The fact that it is happening now is bittersweet.
It’s also scary as hell.
For so long, I’ve been the lone parent in Lennon’s life. Decisions about his life have always been mine and mine alone to make. The rules are suddenly shifting, and it makes me nervous. Jake is a wildcard. I can tell with just one weekend that my son is starting to care for him. What happens when he goes back to Wyoming where he lives? What happens when he’s not here for my son to see every day?