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)
“I’m going to go for her, Brady.”
His face remains completely blank. The man doesn’t even blink, and I force myself to keep talking.
“I’m going to talk to her and tell her that I love her. I’m going to beg her to give me another chance and I’m going to swear on my life that I will never do anything to hurt her ever again.” I pull in a long breath, waiting for him to speak.
To tell me to fuck off and get lost. To tell me that she’s his girlfriend and how dare I, keeping up the ruse—or allowing his panic at losing her to take over.
I’m even braced for a punch to the face.
I get none of that.
The man stares at me, hard, his eyes drilling into mine, the rest of him remaining expressionless. “Do you think she loves you?” he asks in an even tone.
“I know she could.”
That gets a slight narrowing of the eyes, but he does blink then, and it’s wiped away. Brady looks toward his friends, then back at me. “Trust your instincts, Alister.” He heads toward the Tahoe.
“I know you’re falling for her!” I blurt out.
Brady stops walking.
I wait for him to turn around, to tell me I’m out of line, out of my mind, or reading things wrong.
I hope he’ll tell me those things.
He doesn’t.
He starts moving again, this time in the opposite direction, ignoring his friends when they call his name.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Cameron
“Bye, Junie! See you Monday.”
“Thanks for coming in for a few hours today, Cam. I know it costs a lot to get you out of bed before ten,” she teases, waving as she pushes through the door leading her back to the toddler zone.
Smiling, I close the door behind me, happy the sleeves of this hoodie hang past my hands.
When Junie called me last night to tell me that not one but both of the new girls called out for this morning, I knew I couldn’t leave her hanging. Unfortunately for me, I hit snooze several times, and when I finally dragged my ass out of bed, the only thing I had time to do was pull on a pair of leggings, some thick, scrunchy socks, and a hoodie.
My hair is on the top of my head in something that resembles a bird’s nest, I’ve got bits of last night’s mascara flaking along my lashes, and there was no time for coffee. I had to force myself to drink the nasty stuff Junie makes, and the only option I could scrounge up for creamer was some ancient powdery stuff that was so clumped together, it took several minutes in the cup to break apart.
Honestly, I’m not even sure the regular stuff works for me. I’m too used to a solid three shots of espresso in my drinks and a good half pound of sugar.
I glance at my watch; it isn’t even eight thirty in the morning yet, and instead of heading home and crawling back under the covers like I had planned, I make my way to the café.
My shoulders fall when it finally comes into view and I see the line is out the door. “Why didn’t I mobile order?” I pout to myself.
With a sigh, I fall in place behind the last person and pull out my phone to help pass the time. I text Ari.
Me: Hi best friend.
Her response only takes a couple minutes.
Bestie: Who died?
I scoff, snapping a quick photo of my ratchet-looking self, duck lips in full effect, and send it through.
Me: No one, asshole, but tell me what a good girl I am for waking up at five a.m.
Bestie: haha. I figured you would be tagging along.
She sends a wink face emoji.
Tagging along?
Bestie: Are you guys already on the road? If not, you should wash your face. And maybe brush your hair.
I can’t even laugh and enjoy her teasing; I’m too confused. I hit the FaceTime button, officially prepared to be one of those people who walk around talking like it’s not super fucking annoying.
She declines at first, and I start to type out my threat, but before I can pull the trigger on the Send button, her video call comes through.
She’s sitting up in bed, a gray T-shirt—that is not hers—pulled over her. My eyes instantly go to the collar, where her hair is still tucked inside it.
“You ho-bag, you were naked, weren’t you?” The guy in front of me looks over his shoulder, but I ignore him, staring at my best friend. “Where’s Noah?”
Ari smiles tiredly, still tucked in what looks to be quite the lavish bed. She turns the phone his way, and sure enough, the man is shirtless, covers pulled up to his waist.
“Good morning, Cameron.” He smiles, tugging so she’s tucked half against his chest.
“You’re naked under that blanket, aren’t you?”