Series: Fever Falls Series by Riley Hart
Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 85157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“Nah, it’s just Ash. He’s just like everyone else.” Wyatt grinned at me, yet I couldn’t help but wonder why he’d invited someone else without telling me if I was just like anyone else.
“You have to admit, I’m kind of a big deal.” I winked, hoped I didn’t come off as an asshole, but both Pete and Wyatt laughed, so I relaxed. It was hard to skate the line sometimes—being on, being light and carefree, confident, but also not coming off as a total prick.
“There’s the Ashton I know,” Wyatt replied, and we all laughed harder, but I felt a slight sting in my chest, like a bee got me, and then the pain somehow radiated out.
“I can’t imagine the life you’ve been able to live for the past ten years,” Pete said.
“One of my closest friends and high school football buddy playing professional football. You know I used that to my advantage over the years too,” Wyatt replied.
“Forget the football, what about all the women,” Pete added.
When I laughed, it sounded hollow, empty, but I didn’t think either of them noticed. And really, why should they? Or at least, why should I sit there feeling sorry for myself? They were right. I’d been a fucking king. I’d played a game I’d loved, made a whole hell of a lot of money, and Christ, the women. There had been a lot of them—every size, shape, and ethnicity. I didn’t discriminate. I just loved women.
Do you? Do you really? a quiet voice asked inside my head. That fucking voice. It was bothering me more than it had in years.
But I did. I’d always loved women, losing myself inside someone else’s body… “I’d tell you about it, but a gentleman never kisses and tells.” My gut twisted, and my throat burned.
“Like you’ve ever been a gentleman!” Wyatt replied. “Even in high school, this fucker got more pussy than any of us combined. He was always with someone.”
The bile—oh, that explained the burn—rose in my throat. It was as if I was seventeen again, sitting around talking about who we’d hooked up with or who we wanted to hook up with. I got it. They were fascinated with the bachelor lifestyle of a professional football player, but it didn’t sit well with me, made my gut roll over.
“Do you guys remember that Christmas Eve game when we played the—”
“Wolves!” Pete finished for me, and like I hoped, the subject was effectively changed. We talked games and players and championships, but the longer the conversation went on, the more I fidgeted in my seat. Talking football with Beau last week didn’t feel the same as it did with Wyatt and Pete now. Tonight it felt…fake, manufactured, as though I was on display.
I was thankful when we finished eating and both Wyatt and Pete had to head out. I waited until they left, jumped in my car, and found myself parking at Campbell’s Confections…because it was some kind of rule that I needed a chocolate éclair after lunch. Who didn’t?
I walked in, and Beau’s mom was speaking with a customer while Kenny sat in one of the chairs, writing in what looked like a journal. His eyebrows rose and a smile curled his lips when he saw me. “Hi, Ashton.”
“Hey, Kenny.” I walked over to the table. “Do you mind if I sit down?”
“Of course not.”
I sat, twisted my cap around so it was backward, and sighed.
“You don’t sound like you had the best day.”
I looked at him. “Not the worst.” I’d definitely had days I wished I could erase from existence, but I didn’t think I should tell him about wild parties and orgies.
“But you’ve had better?” he asked.
“I’ve definitely had better. I’m getting an éclair and talking to you, so it’s not so bad now.”
“I guess that’s my cue?” Mrs. Campbell set the sugary deliciousness in front of me.
“My hero,” I teased.
“Beau’s a hero too,” Kenny said again.
“He is,” I answered, and I believed that. I truly did. There had always been something special about Beau Campbell.
I took a bite of my treat and moaned. Fuck, I was going to gain fifty pounds if I stayed around Beau. I wouldn’t be able to turn down the food.
“That good, huh?” My eyes darted up to see Beau had walked through the door. Apparently, I’d been enjoying my food more loudly than I thought if he heard it all the way over there.
I smiled, thankful he’d come in not looking like he wanted to kill me for something…or wondering why I continued to find myself in his presence. It was something I was trying not to think about. “I’m considering having all my meals here from now on.” Kenny and Beau’s mom laughed. “I’m serious, Mrs. Campbell. You’re probably going to get tired of seeing me soon.”