Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 106298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Anger rushes through my veins. I shove the car door open, reaching the house before I hear her calling my name. “Baylor, don’t. Stop.”
The conversation with Mrs. Goodman makes a lot more damn sense now. Cutting through the house, I swing the back doors open and rush onto the back lawn, searching for him. My arm is caught. When I look to my right, Lauralee says, “You don’t need to do this. Come with me. We’re leaving. Together, remember. Just the two of us.”
“Just the two of us.”
“Yeah.” She smiles.
I don’t respond because I see that wife-fucker at three o’clock. I charge forth, not giving a shit. I’ve put up with enough for too fucking long anyway.
He sees me coming, his hands coming out as if it’s possible to stop a charging bull. “Women lie, Baylor. She’s lying. Are you really going to throw away your career for a woman who came on to me?”
“Don’t you ever fucking talk about my wife, or I’ll make sure you can’t utter a fucking word again.” I stand in front of him, this frail little man whose ego is bigger than he is. I know the damage I could do to him and the repercussions that would follow. Jail. Charges filed against me. Losing my reputation. Destroying my hard-earned career.
Lauralee stands just behind me, and says, “He’s not worth it. I promise you.” As much as I want to believe her, I also want to obliterate him. “I love you, Baylor.” Hearing those words from the voice of an angel calms me down.
I take a breath, knowing this is not who I want to be with her. “I quit.”
“You quit?” He laughs. “I was just about to announce your promotion to the entire party.”
“No, you weren’t. Fuck you. You’re just an asshole who hit on my wife, and when she turned you down, you tried to save your ass.”
I turn and take hold of my wife’s hand.
He shouts, “You’re done, Greene.”
“You’re right. I’m so fucking done.” I walk away, not regretting a damn thing. I feel the opposite of how I expected. I feel free for the first time in years. It’s not only because I’m free from a company I’ve come to despise but also because of the woman at my side. My partner in crime. My wife. I glance down at Lauralee and smile. “Ready to head back to the city?”
“So ready.” We don’t make it two minutes from the house before she says, “I’m so proud of you. Do you know how sexy that was to watch you take control of the situation?”
“I’m going to need you to tell me.”
“I’ll do you one better.” She raises her brow. “How about I show you?”
She showed me alright. We’re lucky I didn’t wreck on the way back. And when we get back to the apartment at one in the morning, I show her just how lucky I am to have her in my life. Twice.
CHAPTER 29
Baylor
I’m surprised Mr. Goodman didn’t demand rain since he banned me from the building. He’d love to know I was stuck out here drenched and probably begging for cover. Though he should know me better than that.
It’s sunny despite him because I’m fucking winning.
Approaching the doors to Taylor and Goodman, I stop myself from going in and wait farther away. Since I’m not allowed in the office, it’s good to have friends on the inside. This side of the street is doused in sunlight, like a spotlight showcasing me. I doubt Goodman could miss it even if he tried. Good. Fuck him.
I put on my sunglasses and text: I’m here.
Since last week and over the weekend, my checklist got longer. I experienced the best high of my life, and then some lows that I’ll get over in time. I’ve fallen behind in getting messages sent. Prioritizing my list, I send an email to my attorney, Mark, to get the paperwork ready by the time I land in Austin on Thursday. I’m not showing up empty-handed. Especially after how the bet was received. Not well.
Honesty. That’s her only request of me.
That’s what I’ll give her. I’ll face any consequences and fight for our relationship.
Then there’s the matter of this Josten guy at the property management company. He still hasn’t replied to my email asking why he went rogue and jacked up the prices on the strip of shops I purchased. Going rogue for your own kicks, then hoping to get praise is not how things are done.
Mickey backs through the door and looks both ways before seeing me. “I tried to get all of your personal belongings. I’m going to do another sweep when I go back up, though, just in case I missed anything.”
“I appreciate that.”
He laughs. “Your name plaque has already been removed. If it’s any consolation, it ripped off the plaster.”