Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 47714 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 239(@200wpm)___ 191(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47714 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 239(@200wpm)___ 191(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
The first bite was cold enough to make my teeth ache, but it beat thinking about Ethan’s smug face. I sank onto the couch cushions, curling my legs beneath me and letting the spoon dangle from my fingers.
Maybe this was what freedom tasted like. Sweet, messy, and a little lonely.
My parents would’ve hated it. They’d spent years pretending Jaxton’s move to Crossbend was temporary, that he’d eventually “come to his senses” and leave the motorcycle club behind. When he didn’t, they’d tightened the leash on me instead. They had ordered me to go no contact with my brother, but Jaxton had never been good at following orders. And I loved him too much to walk away.
We met whenever we could, hiding it as if we were plotting a crime rather than just seeing family.
I used to think their disapproval hurt because they didn’t see my brother the way I did—how incredible he was. Now I knew it was because they’d never really seen me either.
The wedding had been my breaking point. Jaxton and Lark got married a week and a half ago, and my parents couldn’t be bothered to show up. That was the final straw. After the ceremony, I told him I was done. I was cutting ties with our parents for good.
I’d expected him to talk me down. Instead, he’d sounded almost relieved. Suggested that I move to Crossbend since it was closer to my new campus now that I’d transferred into a research program as a junior. Then he somehow found the time before leaving on his honeymoon to get me an apartment in a cute little building with only three other units—and plenty of security.
By the following morning, he had a lease waiting for my signature, utilities in my name, and his club brothers scheduled to help me move my stuff. He’d even booked a moving truck.
Typical Jaxton, protective to a fault and efficient as can be.
What I hadn’t expected was Chance to be one of the guys who showed up at my new apartment. The moment I saw him at the wedding, my childhood crush came roaring back full force.
Not that any woman would blame me for my reaction to my brother’s friend. Chance Lawton was tall, dark, and dangerous with his brown hair and muscular frame. The faint scar splitting his right eyebrow only made his blue eyes even more arresting.
He’d put his strong body to work, lifting full boxes like they were empty. He’d barely looked at me, his jaw locked so tightly I could see the muscle tick near his ear.
I scooped another bite of ice cream and let it melt on my tongue. Maybe it was pathetic, pining for a man who barely spoke to me. One who’d done his best to ignore me the few times I’d seen him in town over the past week.
I needed to focus on my classes, my new start, and the independence I’d fought for. Chance had made it clear that he didn’t want me.
Still, when I thought about Ethan’s persistence, I couldn’t help but think that if Chance was the one who wanted to come over to my apartment, I wouldn’t have hesitated.
I sank deeper into the couch and stared at the frozen swirl melting around my spoon. I needed to get a grip. I’d moved here to stand on my own two feet, not fall for someone who barely saw me as anything more than his friend’s little sister.
The ping of my phone pulled me from my thoughts.
Ethan
Good night.
I stared at the screen for a second before locking it again. We were done for the day, so I didn’t need to reply.
I set the phone beside the melted remains of my ice cream and rubbed my temples. The next message came through less than a minute later.
Ethan
This project matters to me, Alanna. I hope you’re taking it seriously.
Now that was a message I couldn’t let stand.
Me
Of course I do.
Three dots pulsed, disappeared, then came back.
Ethan
You say that, but I don’t think you respect how much pressure I’m under.
Ethan
If you flake, I’ll have to tell the department the truth. I can’t afford to fail because you’re too busy.
My pulse tripped. He’d gone from nitpicking to threats in the space of a heartbeat.
Me
I’m not flaking. It’s late. We’ll talk tomorrow.
I tossed my phone facedown and muttered, “Grow up,” to the empty apartment.
It buzzed again almost immediately. I didn’t look. Then again. And again.
I finally snatched it up and froze at the wall of messages.
Ethan
You think I’m joking?
Ethan
You’d be surprised how easy it is to file an integrity complaint.
Ethan
Stop ignoring me.
Ethan
We should meet in person and sort this out before it gets worse.
Before what got worse?
My throat went dry. I typed a reply, deleted it, and finally decided on the path of least resistance.
Me
Tomorrow at The Drift Café. Noon.