Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60482 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60482 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
“Well, I don’t know, it just came out. I know I don’t mean it, but he really hurt me and I just said what I thought in that moment. It was probably stupid. But then, he asked about Lillian...”
Her face drops. She grabs my arm. “What did you say?”
“I said she was dead, and I didn’t want to talk about it. Then he took me home.”
She squeezes, giving me a look. “I don’t think it would be that, but maybe he is feeling like you’re shutting down and is giving you some space. Just reach out, try and talk to him, flick him a text and see what happens.”
“I don’t know,” I exhale. “Maybe all of this is just a bad idea...”
“Do you want him in your life or not, that is as simple as it is.”
I meet her gaze. “Of course I do.”
“Then text him.”
“Alright, okay...” I grab my phone, glance at Reagan, and then send a message.
V - Hey rockstar.
“‘Rockstar’?” Reagan leans over my shoulder.
I laugh. “Trust me, he loves it.”
We wait ten minutes... fifteen... thirty. Panic claws at me.
“He’s not going to reply. I feel like an...”
My phone buzzes. Reagan practically trips over herself as she runs toward me.
T: Hey beautiful.
“Oh my God. I am so fucking jealous,” Reagan shrieks.
I steady my breath.
V - How have you been?
T: Really good, you?
V - I’m good. I’m sorry about how the other night ended. I shouldn’t have dropped that on you.
T - I get it, kid. It’s all good. I’ve been busy. I should have texted.
V - That’s okay.
T - Have you been sleeping well?
My heart swells. All my life I have been a terrible sleeper. Sometimes, he used to come through my window at night and sing to me until I fell asleep. The fact that he remembers that does silly things to me.
V - Mostly.
T - Mostly?
I dare to do something different, something wild, a little crazy.
V - It’s been hard not to keep thinking about the other night, you know. The way you were with me, and what happened on the beach...
“Oh, you little devil,” Reagan grins. “That’s right, make him desperate for you.”
T - Oh?
V - It was just hot, you know? I can’t stop thinking about it.
T - Well fuck, I’m hard now, thanks for that.
We both squeal.
V - I would say I’m sorry, but I’m not...
T - Come see me for lunch. I have a surprise.
V - Oh? In your pants?
Reagan slaps me and I laugh.
“Girl, you are going to make him sweat,” she puts her hands over her face.
T - Be careful, Violet. Two can play at that game.
“Oh my god,” Reagan screams. “Girl, this is even turning me on.”
I laugh.
V - I like games.
T - Hmmm. I’ll send a car. See you at lunch.
V - What if I say no?
T - Behave, Mischief. See you soon.
Reagan laughs as I put the phone down. “So that went well?”
I bare my teeth in a nervous grin. “I think so. What do you think the surprise is?”
“His hard—”
“Stop it!” I laugh.
“We need something sexy but sophisticated.”
I grin. “Hey, Reagan...”
She looks at me.
“Thanks for being the best friend ever.”
She smiles. “Always.”
I pause. The thought I’ve danced around all day surfaces. “Do you think I should tell him about Lillian? Like all of it.”
Her eyes soften. She takes my hands. “When you’re ready, you will.”
I swallow. “I can barely say her name. I’m scared he’ll hate me.”
She squeezes my shoulders. “What happened with Lillian wasn’t your fault. You two were young. Friends taunt each other. If something went wrong, it doesn’t make you responsible.”
“I know you keep saying that, but I can’t help how I feel.”
“And I get that, but you can’t let it become everything you are.”
“But I’m all dark and freaky because of it.”
She waves me off. “Men love dark and freaky.”
I laugh, but it quickly fades. “I’m not the same person. What if he sees those bits and decides he doesn’t like them?”
She shrugs. “Travis Phoenix is chasing you. He has also known you practically your whole life. I can’t ever see something scaring him off.”
I nudge her with my shoulder. “Why are you so smart?”
“Good genetics,” she says, tossing her hair.
I laugh. “Let’s find me something sexy to wear.”
An hour later, I settle on short black shorts, a white blouse, lace-up black sandals, hair pinned up loosely.
We’re just finishing some light makeup when a fucking limo arrives. I stare at Reagan and she lets out a loud scream. “Stop, this is like a fucking fairytale.”
“A limo, is he serious?” I say, flushing.
“Girl, enjoy it. Go. Go.”
God damn you Travis, never one to do things quietly.
“IT’S LOVELY TO MEET you, I’m George.”
I slide into the luxurious limo and smile at the man holding the door open for me.
“Hi, George,” I murmur, awed by the mini-fridges, miles of space, and sheer luxury of the situation.