Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 104501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 523(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 523(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
“Did he hit you?”
“No. He just shoved me into the wall and was yelling. That was it. Everything was fine and calming down when Caden showed up. As soon as he stepped inside, I don’t know what happened, but Marcus went crazy. He was yelling things about a horse or something, and those two looked ready to battle it out. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Those two were duking it out—”
“Hitting each other?”
“—yelling, and then suddenly Caden turned and popped me in the mouth. I didn’t do anything. I was just standing here, watching. That was it.”
Kevin began talking faster, louder. “I fought back. I got him right in the face. I’m sure that dick had to go to the hospital. I mean, I would’ve, if I’d been hit as hard as I got him.”
I was pretty sure his bruises turned another shade while he was talking.
“And these bastards, guys who are supposed to be my brothers, took his side.” He shoved the chair back, surging to his feet and pointing to his chest. “They told me to get out of the room. Me. Me! He coldcocked me, and I was supposed to leave the room.”
Feeling some unease, I shifted on the bed, sliding my hands out from under my legs. I rested them next to me, pressing them into the cover.
“What happened after that?” My mouth was dry.
He flung a hand up, his middle finger extended, to point at the door. “I came in here and called Maggie. She picked me up, and I stayed with her last night. This is the first time I’ve been back. I don’t even know if the guys know I’m down here.” He looked me up and down. “Did they tell you I was down here?”
“The guy I asked didn’t know.”
He rolled his eyes, cursing under his breath. “Figures. They’re always going to take Caden’s side. It’s like he walks on water around these parts. I’m sick of it. Hey!” An idea came to him. His eyes suddenly focused right on me. “Are you busy this weekend?”
I glanced away before answering. “Why?”
“The guys are going to the football game. I’m going to grab the rest of my stuff when they’re gone. I could use all the help I can get.”
I was at a loss for words.
“Really?” That was it. That was all I could manage.
No. Wait. I added, “Huh.”
“Maggie said she’d ask some of her friends, and I’ll call our parents. I’m sure your dad would come up and help.” He inspected the box and then opened his second closet door. More boxes were stacked in there. “I don’t have that much. Desk, bed, and dresser all stay here.” He kicked at one of the boxes. “I’ll need more of these. Maybe I won’t need your dad after all, but then again, you’re all girls. You won’t be able to lift these. You think you could call your dad for me?”
My eyebrows arched, and I had to swallow a ball of disbelief. “You want me to call and have him come four hours to carry some boxes?”
“It’d give you two time to bond. I’m sure he’d want to take you out to dinner.”
My mouth fell open. I couldn’t even.
“He could stay over,” Kevin continued. “He’d have to get a hotel room. I wouldn’t feel comfortable asking Maggie if he could stay at her parents’ house. That wouldn’t be right.”
He was—I didn’t know what he was. Considerate, sensitive, rational—those were all things he was not. My anger grew more and more as he kept talking. I had to get out of here. If I didn’t, I was going to blow up, and I didn’t want to say something I’d regret later.
I stood and gestured to the door. “I’m going to head out. I just wanted to check on you. I see you’re still alive.”
I meant to leave after that, but he caught me. He touched my arm, pulled me in for a hug. I stiffened, but he didn’t seem to mind. He buried his head in the crook of my neck.
“Thank you. I mean it. Thank you for coming. It means a lot.” He let go, leaning back but still holding me in his arms.
My heart would’ve soared not long ago.
He smiled down at me. “I’ve taken you for granted. I’m sorry, Summer. I really am.”
Standing there, in his arms again, and with those words carrying a note of sincerity—my heart still did another somersault, and I hated myself.
I stepped back until his hands fell to his side. “I’ll see you later, Kevin.”
He waved. “See you. Don’t forget to call your dad. Thanks!”
He shouted the last word at me as I hurried down the hall. Once through the basement door, I leaned back against it.
I closed my eyes and cursed. Fucking hell.