Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“Whoa,” Bellamy exclaims as she takes the chair next to mine. “Who’s making you smile like that?”
“What?” I ask, my pulse racing, while I slap my phone down on my lap.
“Who were you texting that brought out that smile?”
“That? Oh, just a work thing. Trying to get a new artist, and I think I’m close,” I lie. I mean, it’s not a lie, but that’s not why I’m smiling either.
“I love it,” Bellamy says, sitting back in her chair and closing her eyes. “Everyone is happy. Mom and Cliff are happy, even though I miss her like crazy. Our Rampage family is happy, you’re happy, hell, even my dad has been all smiles the last couple of times I’ve seen him. Everyone I love is happy.”
“Yeah,” I agree, guilt weighing heavily on my chest.
Coral comes running over and climbs onto her mom’s lap. Her eyes droop, and I know she could also use a nap. “I love that our kids get to grow up together.”
“I do, too. I hope our girls are close.”
Sloane announces that it’s time for cake, and Coral’s head pops up. “I wove cake!”
“I know you do, sweetie. Let’s head over so we can sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Cam and get some cake.” Bellamy stands and smiles. “You want me to bring you a slice?”
“Nah, I’m too hot to eat right now. This one is putting off the heat.”
“You know you can take her inside. Sloane and Baker won’t care.”
“I know, but the day is coming when I won’t be able to hold her like this while she sleeps. I want to soak up every second while I can.”
“I’m proud of you, bestie. You knew what you wanted, and you made it happen. Love you,” she says.
I swallow past the lump of emotions in the back of my throat. “Love you, too,” I tell her, before they skip off together to get a piece of birthday cake.
Bellamy has been my person, my constant, as far back as I can remember, and I’m a terrible person for allowing myself to get involved with her father. Speaking of, my phone pings with another message.
* * *
Will: Do I still get to see you all after?
* * *
I should say no. I should tell him that we have to end this, but just thinking about no longer being with him causes me physical and emotional pain. So, instead of doing the right thing, I once again fall into the trap of what my heart wants.
* * *
Me: We’ll be there.
Will: Text me, and I’ll open the garage door.
Me: Okay.
Will: Drive safe.
* * *
It’s literally not even two miles to the back of this massive subdivision they all live in to get to his place, but my belly still flips at his caring words. I was with Ethan for years, and he never once told me to drive safely. Not even when things were new and fresh. We were two young kids who leaped before we looked, and it ended in divorce.
No matter how badly I wanted to be a mother, I’m so glad that it didn’t happen for us. Ethan is my past, and thankfully, he’ll be able to stay there. Someone was looking out for me and for my future with Mia, that’s for sure.
I can’t wait to see Will and be back in his arms. We take full advantage of any time Mia is napping, tearing at each other’s clothes. Then we spend what Will likes to call family time together, too, and he never gets annoyed or angry that I have a one-year-old daughter, which prevents us from being intimate anytime we want.
He’s simply there for both of us, for anything, and that feeling, of knowing that’s where we stand with him, is addicting.
Somehow, two more weeks have passed, and judgment day is here. Well, tomorrow, but close enough. Today is the Rampage’s first preseason game, and it’s at home. The team is off tomorrow, which means Reid and Will are both at home.
Last weekend, Will and I decided that tomorrow would be the day. He’s invited Bellamy, Reid, and Coral to dinner, and Mia and I will be there, as well. We’ve gone back and forth about who tells her, but Will insisted we do it together. He claimed that we’re together, and showing a united front will help. I don’t know if he’s right or not. I know that Bellamy is going to be angry and, most of all, hurt. Keeping this from her was wrong, and I need to make sure she understands that Will wanted to tell her. The thought of damaging their relationship after he fought so hard to get her back into his life is equally as devastating as losing my best friend.
I’ve been a mess all week. Not sleeping, nauseous, unable to eat or hold anything down. It’s my nerves. I’m literally worrying myself sick about how Bellamy is going to take all of this.