Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 125852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 629(@200wpm)___ 503(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 629(@200wpm)___ 503(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Trey and Cameron are standing there, chatting with an older couple walking by with a dog. He’s got a football in his hands, and she’s got a smile on her face. I bet those strangers think they’re two young kids in love.
“Guys,” I mumble.
“Let’s move that down there,” I hear Mason say.
“Can we put on Christmas music?” Paige asks someone.
“Guys.” I say it a little louder this time, and I look up, finding they all stopped what they’re doing and are now staring at me. “I’m jealous.”
A few chuckles and a few girlie awws.
I glare. “Not helpful. How do I stop?”
Mason grins, going back to filling the ice chests so they’re ready to be taken down to the bonfire later. “It’s too late for that, my man. There’s only one answer here.”
The others nod, and I look around, waiting. “Well, is anyone gonna tell me what it is? ’Cause I’m all fucking ears, here.”
It’s Noah who walks over to stand beside me. He looks where I was focused and nods his head as he glances my way. “His team flew into town yesterday, and his family has a big dinner back home, so it’s just him and his teammates out here this weekend. It didn’t feel right not to extend the invite, but now I’m wishing I hadn’t.”
“Nah,” I sigh, shaking my head. “You did the right thing. Shit, why do you think Howl is here?”
Noah chuckles, gripping my shoulder, and lowers his voice so not everyone can hear. “Sometimes it really sucks to be the good guy. It would be a lot easier to be selfish, but easy doesn’t always mean right.”
I nod, his words making sense, especially considering the drama he, Ari, and Chase went through not all that long ago.
Sighing, I look his way. “Now I’m just annoyed I didn’t realize it was his team you were playing on Sunday, and I’d have to watch her watch him play.”
“Yeah.” Noah nods, a sly grin appearing. “But it’s you she’ll be sitting next to.”
I smirk, chuckling as I cut him a glance. “You’ve got a little savagery in you, Riley.”
He laughs, moving back to the kitchen. “This isn’t going to be your excuse when I win the turkey competition, right?”
“Oh, kiss my ass, Prince Charming. I got this in the bag.”
Six hours later, the sun is gone, and I’m lifting my third beer to my lips, shoulders slumped in a full-ass pout.
I did not have it in the bag.
My turkey was good, great even, but Chef Noah’s was the best shit I ever tasted. Even better than last year, that fucker.
My lips turn up. Love that guy.
Alister sits down on the patio lounger beside me, reaching into the cooler at my feet, and pulls out two beers. He offers me one, but I lift mine to show it’s still half-full, and he keeps both for himself.
Yeah, I feel that.
Right here, we have the perfect view of the others, laughing and dancing around the kitchen, tasting all of Paige’s desserts.
“You know, I’ve shared a table with her on Thanksgiving my entire life.” No need to state specifically who I’m talking about. We’re both watching the same blond. “Every single one, every single year.”
“That’s a lot of history.”
I scowl at the night. “Yeah.”
Closing my eyes, I push to my feet, tossing my beer bottle in the plastic recycle bin. “Just…don’t hurt her, man.”
“Funny.” Our eyes meet. “I was going to tell you the same thing.”
Unease curls around my ribs, not only from his words or the heavy tone of them but the look of acceptance on his face. “Alister?”
His lips twitch but not necessarily in a smile, and he stands, his own chest rising. “I’m catching a ride back to campus with Fernando in the morning. I’ll be gone before she wakes up.”
“If this is because of Trey…” I shake my head, my mouth growing sour at the thought of him. “He’ll be gone again soon.”
“It’s not, man.” He shakes his head, taking a deep breath. “She told me a long time ago there was nothing left for us, and I just refused to hear it.”
“But why are you walking away now? What’s changed?”
“When I told her I was going to fight for her, she was available.” His eyes hold mine. “She’s not anymore.”
My heart starts beating wildly as realization sets in. “You told her already.”
“I did.”
“And she…?”
“Didn’t say it back? No.” He lets out a low laugh. “No, she didn’t. She said she had to go.” He sighs. “And then she ran out into the middle of the road and hopped in the truck with you.”
Ran into the middle of the road…
“Wait.” I push closer. “When did you tell her?”
“Maybe an hour after I told you.”
My muscles lock, eyes frozen on his.
He told her.
She knew he was in love with her before she came home with me that day. Before I kissed her outside my truck and before everything that came after.