Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
I tilted my head back and closed my eyes, and my dick started to twitch the second my mind drifted to Devin and how good she looked when she stepped out of that campus building. It was like I’d stepped back in time, and she was still the Dev I used to know. So young and full of life. Eager. And only had eyes for me.
I reached down and took hold of my hard shaft, moving my wrist up and down. A man knows his way around his own cock, and I knew the second I touched mine I wasn’t going to get off. Not like this. Not without her.
It was that thought that had me getting out of the shower and tracking down my phone. I wasn’t sure who the fuck I was going to call. Maybe a florist or one of the brothers. Anyone who could give me a clue on what to do, but when I looked down at the screen, I realized my day had already been made.
Unknown:
Hey.
It’s me.
Me:
Me who?
Unknown:
Devin.
I called the casino and told them I hit your motorcycle and needed to talk to you about an insurance claim. It took some convincing, but one of them gave me your number.
Me:
Sounds like you pulled a fast one.
I quickly added her new number to my contacts and waited for her response.
Devin:
Not one of my proudest moments.
Me:
This mean you’re going to let me see you again?
Devin:
I don’t know if that’s a good idea.
A lot has changed.
Me:
You’re right.
I’m not the same man you left behind.
Devin:
You’re still annoyingly handsome.
Me:
So, you think I’m hot.
Devin:
You haven’t changed that much.
You’re still cocky.
Me:
I’m also older and wiser.
I made mistakes, but I’ve learned from them. I’m sure the same goes for you. So, we’ve both changed.
But the way I wanted you?
That has never changed.
Devin:
Jameson.
Me:
Tell me it didn’t change for you.
Devin:
You already know.
Me:
So what are we going to do about it?
Devin:
That’s just it.
I don’t know.
Me:
Sometimes you just have to take a chance.
10
DEVIN
Me:
How about that dinner?
I stared at the message for a second before hitting send. Butterflies erupted in the pit of my stomach as my fingers hovered over the screen. I was about to open a door I wasn’t sure I needed to open. This whole thing could blow up in my face, and I could end up hurt again.
But it was also a chance to feel alive. Alive in a way that only Jameson could make me feel. So, I went for it. I sent that message, and I held my breath until I read his response.
Jameson:
I’m in.
My place Friday night at seven.
I’ll make dinner and a fire.
Me:
I have the kids this weekend.
Again, my chest tightened. I wasn’t sure how he’d feel about me not being readily available. But it was a hard truth that he was going to have to accept if we moved forward with this. My kids were my life, and anyone who wanted to be with me would have to understand that.
He didn’t respond.
All the others had been quick and right to the punch.
And now, nothing.
I stared at the screen, and regret started to sink in.
Damn it.
Maybe that was it. Maybe he would walk away when he realized I came with too much baggage. Maybe it was time to accept that this thing between us had run its course a long time ago.
I was just about to toss my phone onto the couch when it lit up.
Jameson:
Bring them.
Don’t bring them.
I don’t care—as long as I get to see you.
The relief hit me harder than I’d expected. Until then, I hadn’t realized just how much I wanted this—how much I wanted him.
Me:
Sounds good. What can I bring?
Jameson:
Just you.
And that smile you gave me at the coffee shop.
My stomach flipped, and all I could do was stare at the screen, biting back a smile like some teenager.
Me:
You’re trouble.
Jameson:
Only if you stand me up Friday night.
Me:
I’ll be there.
The rest of the week was a blur. I busied myself with work, laundry, lesson planning, and chasing the kids around. I was trying to keep everything spinning. It helped, but the second I slowed down—when the chores were done and the kids were off in their rooms, I would think about seeing him again, and my stomach would take a nosedive.
And it all came rushing back.
The nerves.
The excitement.
The doubt.
I was enjoying the array of feelings, but when I asked Austin and Chrissy if they wanted to go to their dad’s for the weekend, both said they didn’t feel like going and wanted to stay home. I wasn’t sure how to feel about that. Part of me thought I should take them with me and let Jameson meet them in some casual, no-pressure kind of way. But that idea unraveled the second I played it out in my head.
It was too soon.
I didn’t even know how things would play out between us, and there was no reason to get the kids involved until I did. I told myself I’d know when it was right. So, I called my mother. As soon as she answered, I said, “I’ve got a favor to ask.”