Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 43102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
“Yeah. And that’s the other thing. Aside from you girls and Holden, I don’t let anyone close enough to me to really feel. Because I was told my whole life that I’m worthless, a waste of space, and although I don’t believe that, I still carry the cage around my heart because I don’t trust that anyone would truly love me back. Not like that. And these two sexy, accomplished, amazing men? Two of them? No, that seems impossible.”
“I think they’re two sexy, intelligent men who know exactly what they want,” Charlie says. “And you need to trust that they know themselves and each other well enough to make that decision.”
“If the worst happened, we’ll always be here to help pick up the pieces,” Skyla reminds me. “But have a little faith in those two men who have done nothing but show you that they adore you.”
There’s a knock on the door, making me frown.
“I’ve got it,” Millie says, standing and crossing to the door. When she opens it, she steps back, and I see Jake Wild again. “Jake?”
“Oh, hey, Aunt Mills.” He leans in and kisses her cheek. “I have pizza for Alex. But I can go grab more.”
He glances inside and smiles at me.
“You’re having a party and didn’t invite me?”
I laugh and stand, make my way over to them. “Sorry about that. Let me guess, the guys sent this over?”
“Yeah, they want to make sure you’re eating.”
“That’s the sweetest,” Billie says behind me.
“Tell them thanks.”
Jake nods and takes a step back. “You look better than you did yesterday. I was kind of worried about you.”
I tip my head to the side and frown at the teenager. “Why were you worried?”
He shrugs almost self-consciously. “I guess I just know what it feels like to be extra sad. Crappy childhood, you know? But life’s pretty damn good now, and I guess I want you to be happy, too. I’ll let the guys know you got your pizza. They’re kind of freaked out.”
“I love this kid,” Dani says behind me, making Jake grin.
“Love you too, Miss Dani,” he says with a wink.
“Thanks, Jake. I’ll grab my purse and tip you.”
“Nah, they have it covered. I’m taking them for a ride.” He laughs and turns to the stairs. “I’m my father’s son.”
Jake went from foster care to being adopted by Millie’s brother, Ryan. A billionaire.
“Bye, Jake,” I call out and take the pizza over to my small desk and set it down.
“You look so much happier,” Darby says as I sit down again.
“I feel so … I don’t even know. I left them. They offered me so much, and I left because I’m scared to trust that they really love me. They’ve given me the space I asked for, while still making sure I’m taken care of. That I’m eating. That I feel … cherished.”
I wipe my nose again as more tears fall.
“And Jake just said that they’re freaked out. They’re hurting, and they haven’t said one mean thing to me. I don’t want to hurt them. They don’t deserve that. I’m so done being controlled by a man who hated us with every fiber of his being. He’s long dead, yet he still controls so many of my reactions to things.”
I think back to the nightmare I woke up from this morning.
I’m so tired of being afraid.
“They wouldn’t leave me high and dry to fend for myself. And even if something catastrophic were to happen, I have you all. I have me.”
The others nod in agreement, and Charlie rubs her hand up and down my arm.
“I’ve been stupid,” I admit. “These guys love me, and I ran away.”
“You are not stupid,” Billie says, shaking her head. “Don’t talk about my bestie like that. You got scared, and I think that’s probably normal.”
“Now what’s going to happen?” Skyla asks.
I nibble on my lower lip. “I have to pack up the few things left in this apartment so I can go home.”
Charlie squeaks and wraps her arms around me, squeezing me, and kisses my cheek. “I’m so happy for you.”
“What if—”
“No!”
“Stop!”
“It’s going to be great!”
They all stop me in unison, making me laugh.
“Okay, you’re right. No more what-ifing myself to death.”
“Good.” Dani kisses my cheek. “Do you want help packing?”
“Nah, it won’t take long. There isn’t much left. The place comes furnished.”
“So for two months, you already had almost all of your stuff over at that house, but you still didn’t let the lease go?” Darby’s shaking her head at me.
“I’m stubborn, okay? I learned it from you.”
“Not me.” Darby holds her hands up. “We’ll blame Holden.”
“My man is incredibly stubborn. Thank God,” Millie agrees with a grin.
We all stand and put the mostly untouched food into bags so they can take it home, and I follow them to the door.
“Go home to your guys,” Dani says after kissing my cheek again. “Go live your beautiful life, sissy. We’ve earned it.”