Total pages in book: 203
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
“I’d say if you have any problems, call me, but I’m without a phone at the moment. Audrey’s-”
“I have Audrey’s number,” Misty assures. “Go do what you need to do. This’ll be good practice for me. Thanks for asking.”
I wave my hand, “No, thank you. Take care everyone. Sorry to interrupt.”
“See you at your folks’ place this afternoon?” Erica asks.
I nod, blowing out a breath. “See you then.”
***
As I’m leaving, my brother is pulling into the parking lot.
“Bailey!” he calls from his car.
I turn my car off and he gets out and approaches.
“Where are you goin’?”
“Why, what’s up?”
“Why don’t you tell me?” he asks.
“I’m not in the right headspace for whatever this is, Greyson.”
“Neither of you showed yesterday and now he’s gone. He didn’t show up for our morning run and Dad said he didn’t come back to the house last night. He’s not at his place and hasn’t been there in a couple days by the scent of the place. His phone is going right to voicemail and our council connection is fuzzy. What’s up?”
“I did show up to yesterday’s meeting, but I was late, which isn’t entirely my fault. He kidnapped me, we had an argument, and he left.”
“Left where?”
“No idea. Haven’t seen him since he left me in my car in the woods over an hour away after kidnapping me. Did you hear what I said, Grey? He kidnapped me.”
“Can hardly blame him,” he mutters. “Maybe you two should be locked up like Rye and his mate to figure your shit out.”
I say nothing. I should be seething. But instead, I’m numb.
“You’re not okay, Bailey. We’re all worried about you. I’ve been trying to stay out of this since it’s you and my best friend, but it can’t go on like this. What can I do to help?”
“I can’t think of a single thing you can do to help, Greyson. But thank you for the offer.”
“Come here.” He crooks his finger. His eyes are gentle.
I take my seatbelt off and he’s opening my door, helping me out.
He puts his big, strong arms around me and hugs me.
I don’t want to cry anymore. But I also don’t want to pull away, because this hug feels really good.
I lean into my brother and let it feel good that he’s stroking my back.
“You’re too stubborn for your own good, Squirt.”
“Maybe,” I mutter.
“I think you should give him a shot.”
“I know you do,” I say.
“How will you know if it’s worth it or not if you don’t try?”
I sigh.
“Where’s your head at?” He loosens his grip and looks me in the eyes.
“It’s all just so… painful, Grey. I can’t talk about my feelings. It hurts too much.”
He hugs me again and plants a kiss on top of my head. “None of the council matings have been a breeze so far, that’s for sure.”
“Always heard I should be careful what I wish for,” I mutter. “Boy is that true.”
“Where you goin’?” he asks.
“Just for a drive. Clear my head before this thing today. If he even comes. Maybe he’s ready for this to be over so he can move on with his life.”
“Not a chance,” Grey states with conviction.
“You weren’t there yesterday. You didn’t hear the things he said.”
“What things?” my brother asks.
I shake my head. “I can’t…”
“Even when I got frustrated as Stacy and I were going through it, I never, for a second, wanted it to be over. I just wanted to make things right. It wasn’t easy. I struggled with what to do about her brother. It was a mess I had to wade through and there were moments I’m not proud of.”
“Oh stop. Stacy thinks you’re a hero. Her hero. You did good. She’s really coming out of her shell, too. And that’s down to you.”
“It’s down to the pack, too. It takes a village.”
“True,” I agree.
“You were a big part of that for her. I appreciate you, Squirt.”
Now I might cry.
Grey puts his hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “He doesn’t want to give up, even if he’s frustrated and talkin’ out of anger. I know Jase as well as I know myself.”
Then where is he?
I don’t say this. I can’t even let myself linger on this thought for long because if I head down that road, I’m terrified of where it could lead.
“You want him to change his mind and give up, or do you want him here? You want to give him a chance? Give it a shot at least?”
“I didn’t say that,” I say, but there’s no doubt about the fact that my body is having a strange reaction to the notion. My palms are sweaty, my heart is racing, and my knees are weak.
He watches me for a minute and when I shuffle uncomfortably under his assessment, he lets me off the hook.
“I’ll let you get wherever you’re goin’. Just wanna ask you to dig deep and think on things before you do something you might regret. Jared’s come around. He and Cicely are nearly on solid ground now. Not all their problems are behind them as nothing’s changed with Jared other than the fact he’s letting himself be happy with the mate Fate gave him instead of trying to reject her out of wanting to keep her safe from his beast. But if a couple are on the same side, that’ll always make it easier to fight a battle.”