Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 34
ROAD TRIP
KITTY
I search the crowd as I maneuver past the kid pool to find the lounger I’d been occupying, hoping not to find Cutter. My phone is still on the ground next to my abandoned beer bottle and sunscreen. Music pumps from massive speakers, and people are dancing and having a good time, making it easy to slip by unnoticed. I don’t know if it’s because the air is cooler or I feel raw, but a chill blankets me, and exhaustion creeps into my bones.
Looking at my phone causes my stomach to clench. Cutter’s name comes up numerous times, but I don’t have the energy to look at the texts.
“Hey, where have you been?” Diamond comes up beside me. Rocco is clutched around her waist, his head resting on her shoulder, asleep.
“I had something I needed to do,” I lie. My eyes burn at the sight of Rocco. I can’t be around while Claire is pregnant with Cutter’s kid again. It will destroy what little soul I have left. “Why do you have him?” I shouldn’t ask, the answer will only cause more pain, but I’m a glutton for punishment.
“Cutter asked me to watch him, but it was hours ago. He didn’t seem happy with Claire’s announcement and marched her off inside.” Her face tilts to the side, her lips pulling into a half-smile. “How are you dealing with this news?”
By distracting myself so I don’t die. I want to go with honesty, but my pride won’t let me. “I don’t care if they have another kid. It’s not me raising it.” I fucking care too much.
“Okay.” She doesn’t look convinced but lets it rest.
“I’m heading inside. The sun has given me a headache,” I tell her, managing a smile.
“Drink plenty of water,” she calls after me.
“If you mean wine, then I’m on it,” I retort.
Back in my room, I kick my sneakers off, noticing the blood splatter for the first time.
Dammit.
The image of Rogue stabbing Trevor manifests behind my eyes. Monster left to go get answers from him, and Rogue told me she’d text once they have them.
Monster’s doing the world a service. Knowing a man is in the process of being tortured right now is a little creepy, but I don’t feel sorry for him. He’s a perverted psychopath.
I turn on the water for the shower, and images of Cutter and me in here this morning flutter to the forefront of my mind with searing clarity. Our naked bodies writhing against the wall. Heat, passion, and love flowed from us in a beautiful dance, and now, not even twenty-four hours later, it’s all gone to shit. Sorrow settles like a blanket of snow in my chest.
Peeling away the layers of clothing, I step inside, surrendering to the downpour of water. My fingertips flit a familiar routine across my body, scrubbing away the memory of this morning until I’m red, raw, and shaking. No matter how much I try, I can’t wash away the deep ache sitting beneath the surface. My tears, like my hope, wash down the drain. I feel so lost. Loneliness and anger bear down on me, the weight paralyzing. How could he let this happen again?
Turning off the water, I grab a towel and dry myself, then slip into a pair of tight black jeans, a ripped tee, and leather boots before combing my hair and leaving my face makeup free. In a haze, my feet carry me to the bar, my mind commanding me not to think.
Propping myself on a stool, I relish the quiet inside. There are some brothers and ol’ ladies loitering in the halls, but most are still outside, and only me and Green are in the bar. He’s asleep across three chairs pushed together, his feet dangling off the end, his head in an awkward position at the other end. It looks uncomfortable, but he’s snoring like it’s a fluffy mattress.
Taking out my phone, I inhale a deep breath and open the unread messages from Cutter, noticing six missed calls from his number too.
Cutter: Where are you? It’s not mine, Kit.
Cutter: Answer your phone.
Cutter: Let me at least explain. I DIDN’T KNOW SHE WAS GOING TO DO THIS.
Cutter: Where are you?
Cutter: Please answer your phone.
Cutter: I love you, Kit.
My heart pounds in my ears, and my hands tremble, almost dropping the phone. He said it’s not his. How can he know for sure? And who is she sleeping with if it’s not his?
I can believe he didn’t know she was going to announce it today. He wouldn’t have made promises about ripping off my shorts moments before otherwise. That was a promise he intended to keep—then boom, a crack split my chest in two.
“I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” As if my thoughts summoned him, Cutter’s voice carries across the room, settling over me like an old comfort blanket, one that’s tattered and ruined, but you can’t bear to throw out even if the threads are thorns tearing away at your skin every time you curl beneath it.