Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Unfortunately, I think she’s right, but the only opinion that matters is my dad’s.
“Tonight was important to my dad, Caryn. He expected you there.”
She scoffs. “He doesn’t even like me. Why would I stand next to someone who doesn’t want me around?”
“You aren’t giving him a chance. We would’ve had dinner with him, been there for him, and done so as a family.”
“Listen, Zane. I get that he’s your dad, but up until Thanksgiving, you never wanted to see him. I don’t know where all of this is coming from or why the sudden change of heart.”
“He’s all I have left.”
“You have my parents. Let me ask you this. Do you really see us bring our children to visit your dad? They’re going to be bored out of their minds. Not only that, but they’re going to know he’s . . . not well off.”
Why does everything have to be about money with her?
I get up and pace, holding my phone in my hand. I’m angrier than I am sad right now. Which says a lot.
“Come back home, Zane.”
I shake my head. “Not until after Christmas.”
“I’m not coming back there, and I want to spend Christmas with you and my parents.”
“I get it, Caryn. I really do. But I’m not ditching my dad. Not now.”
“Zane!” She screams my name in a high-pitch squeal, and I know a temper fit is about to start. I set my phone down on the bed and take a few steps away from it, taking deep breaths to try and calm down. “I will not spend Christmas alone. If you think for one second that I’ll be without my fiancé at the holiday parties, you’re sorely mistaken.”
“Then I guess I’m mistaken.” Whatever the hell that’s supposed to mean.
“Are you serious right now? You know I can ruin your life.”
Her words give me pause. She’s threatening my job, and she’ll probably succeed. I was stupid when I started dating the boss’s daughter. For all I know, she was in on the setup of keeping me in New York and away from Eve.
“Zane!”
“I’m here, Caryn.”
“Get your ass in the car and back here where you belong. No one says no to me.”
I sigh. “I’m telling you no.” I hang up before she can scream again and flop onto the bed. Her voice, the shrill of it, echoes through my mind. Closing my eyes, I think of anything but how red her face probably is right now and how she’s no doubt on the phone to her father, demanding he fire me. If he does, I’ll thank him for the opportunity he’s given me, take my severance, and move along to another firm.
Although, it’s likely he’ll blackball me in the legal field. My days as an attorney are likely over.
Lovely.
An hour later, I find myself at the Marching Solider, sitting at the bar, drinking whiskey and Coke. I hate drinking and only do it socially and even then, it’s one drink and I’ll nurse it all night if I have to. But here I am, on my fourth, with no intentions of stopping.
In the back, two couples are shooting pool. It’s hard to tell who’s winning and if I were only two deep, I’d challenge them for the table. Back in the day, I used to be good. My partner was better, but I left her high and dry when I took the stupid internship with Bamford.
“You good, my friend?” the bartender asks. He’s not from around here, which is perfect. He doesn’t know me. I don’t know him. I am curious if he knows Eve, though. I want to know why she isn’t dating someone. She’s so beautiful and perfect. I will never forgive myself for hurting her.
I tap the bar top for another. The bartender places it in front of me.
“Hey, man. Do you have a car?” he asks.
“Sure do.”
“Rad. Mind if I borrow your keys? My lock is stuck back here.”
I fish them out of my pocket and slam them on the counter. My new friend takes them and for a brief second, I wonder where he’s going with them. But then my mind goes back to Caryn.
“You married?”
“No,” he tells me. “Women are a lot of trouble. Too many rules.”
I laugh, but it comes out as a snort. “My girl hates it here.”
“Small town life is tough.”
“I’m from the ‘city.’” I use air quotes thinking this guy may not understand how important New York City is.
“Yeah. It’s fun there. What brings you to Deer Ridge?”
“Used to live here until I didn’t. It’s hard to come to a life you used to have and bring your other life here. She doesn’t understand because she’s rich rich and spoiled. Her parents spoil her. You know, I work for her daddy. We live together and he supports her. What kind of husband is that going to make me?”