Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
It grew quiet all around us, as if the day’s activities had somehow faded away, and the only sound I could hear was Aurora’s sniffles.
“I’m no longer hungry,” Gavin said quietly, before turning and stepping away from the booth. James followed his younger brother, and I watched them slowly walk away. When I glanced at Declan, he also had eyes on them. Then he turned, and our eyes met. I swore the air cracked between us for a moment with something I couldn’t put my finger on.
“I’m sorry,” Declan said to the rest of us, glancing around the booth, before leaving to catch up with Gavin and James.
Still shocked by Nathan’s news, I dropped into a chair. Brystol did the same.
“Poor Hope and Liam,” she whispered. “I can’t even imagine.”
All I could do was shake my head.
Then, suddenly, everything seemed to come into focus. Life was so short, and we weren’t promised a damn thing. My gaze lifted, and I saw Declan talking to some tourists. He smiled at something the older man said…and I knew in that moment I wasn’t going to pretend any longer.
I pulled out my phone and sent Sean a text.
Me: I can’t do this any longer, Sean. You’re going to have to tell your mother the truth.
Declan
I immediately wanted to drive away when I pulled up to my parents’ house and saw Sean’s car. He was the last person I wanted to see today because I was getting more and more agitated with his and Harper’s whole situation.
One week ago today, I’d stood on Harper’s rooftop and watched the sunset with her. I’d been trying to avoid her since then…which wasn’t hard because it was clear she was also avoiding me, as well. While walking down Main Street the other day, heading to my apartment, I saw Harper outside, watering her plants and flowers. She took one look at me, turned off the hose, and rushed into her shop.
Something had happened that night on the roof for both of us, and I was conflicted about what to do. I just knew deep down inside that something was off with Sean and Harper.
Glancing back at the house, I stared at the front door. There was only one way to find out what that something was.
“Fuck it,” I muttered, as I turned off my truck, climbed out, and started for the front door. I could hear Sean’s voice the second I walked in. He was talking to my father, and they both glanced over at me when I shut the door.
“Declan. What brings you by?” Dad asked with a wide grin.
I shrugged. “Just wanted to stop in and say hi.”
“Well, your mother will be thrilled. Both her boys, dropping by out of the blue. She’s in my office at the moment, talking to Viola and Caroline about a surprise birthday party for Crystal.”
Sean perked up. “Caroline’s here?”
Now my father and I both looked at him.
“What’s your obsession with Caroline?” I asked.
“Excuse me?” Sean replied with a nervous tone to his voice. “I’m not obsessed with her.”
“Really? Because you seemed to pay more attention to her at the anniversary dinner than your girlfriend.”
Sean lifted a brow. “You paying that close of attention to who I’m talking to, Declan? Jealous, are you?”
“Boys,” my dad warned.
I barked out a laugh. “You think I’m jealous of you?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Are you kidding me right now? If anything, I’m wondering why in the hell Harper would ever date you in the first place, let alone get back together with you after you dumped her.”
Sean pointed at me. “Shut the fuck up, Declan. You don’t know anything about Harper.”
“I know a prick like you doesn’t deserve her. You can’t even hide your feelings for another woman in front of her. Even Dad noticed.”
My father put his hands up. “Do not bring me into this.”
“What do you mean, Dad noticed?” Sean asked, glancing at our father. “Dad?”
Our father shook his head. “Nope, I’m not getting in the middle.”
Sean studied me for a moment—then he laughed. “Holy shit! You’ve got a thing for Harper, don’t you? It must really kill you that she’s with me.”
I’d managed to keep my anger at bay to this point…and, if I was honest with myself, the jealousy over Sean being with Harper. But with that nasty, smug look he was giving me, the dam broke.
I launched myself at my brother, causing him to stumble backward. He turned in an attempt to get away, but I was too quick. I took him to the floor and managed to hit him square in the face, before he caught me on my jaw.
The sound of our mother screaming caused us both to freeze.
“What are you doing? Declan Gallagher, get off your brother right now!”
My mother—who was all of five-feet, three-inches tall—towered over us with her hands on her hips, her face full of anger and disappointment.