Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 113934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
With a gruff laugh, I glanced over to my father, who was reading a book. “Once they find out Dad works for the FBI, they’ll run for the hills.”
My mother peered over to my father, who smiled slightly.
“Probably,” he said. “Especially if they find out I’ve run background checks on them all.”
With a chuckle, I shook my head.
Clearing his throat, my father said, “Mr. Sherman stopped by here yesterday.”
Lifting a brow, I asked, “Who is he?”
He set his book down and glanced over to my mother before turning his attention back to me. “He is the father of Charlie Sherman, the guy Skylar accused of raping her.”
Anger quickly rushed over my body. “What in the hell did he want?”
“Language, Wyatt,” Mom said.
Shaking my head to get my thoughts in order, I looked at my mother. “Sorry, Mom.”
My father stood. “It appears he was trying to do us a favor. He warned us about the girl you had been hanging out with and the problems it might bring if you were to continue seeing her.”
“What kind of problems?”
“Don’t worry. I set him straight before he got too far into his line of bullshit.”
“I can’t even believe he had the nerve to show up here, Dad.”
My mother sighed. “It seems he has something against Skylar, but your father thinks it goes deeper.”
“He’s hiding something. I could see it all over his face. He’s also scared. Scared the truth is going to come out. That’s probably why he has worked so hard to keep everyone away from Skylar.”
My heart felt like someone was squeezing it. Poor Skylar.
It was no wonder everyone had turned against her if Charlie’s father had been going around from house to house, talking shit about her.
Prick.
“I know that look on your face, Wyatt. Just let it go,” Dad said.
With a nod, I replied, “Yes, sir. I’m going to head on out. I’ll eat dinner at Pizza Mia.”
I kissed my mother on the cheek, and she smiled.
“Wyatt, I want you to know how proud of you we are,” she said.
“I don’t believe what people say about her, and I hope you guys don’t either.”
With a soft smile, she replied, “We don’t, Wyatt. That is why your father set Mr. Sherman straight.”
“He certainly wasn’t too happy when I asked him to leave.”
I loved my parents, and I was glad to know they didn’t think the rumors about Skylar were true.
“I’d better get going. Love you both.”
Diving back into his book, my father said, “Be careful, and don’t stay out too late tonight.”
“Love you, too, sweetheart. Tell Skylar we both said hi.”
“Will do,” I said before turning and heading out to my truck. I had to keep myself from running. I was that excited to see her.
Fifteen minutes later, I was walking into Pizza Mia. Eva motioned for me to sit at the counter. Skylar must have that section. Walking up to the counter, I slapped Mike Barnes on the back.
“Hey, dude,” I said with a smile while I sat down next to him.
“Hey, Wyatt.”
“How’s it going?”
Mike glanced over to where Skylar was and then looked back at me. “So, are you dating her?”
“Her?”
Sighing, he looked down and shook his head. “Skylar.”
Skylar walked up with a huge smile on her face. “Hey, I don’t get off for another hour.”
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Mike mumbled under his breath.
Turning to him, Skylar asked, “What was that, Mike?”
With a fake smile, he said, “Nothing, Skylar.”
“Mike was asking if we were dating.”
Her smile faded instantly.
“I was about to tell him yes when you walked up.”
Those beautiful gray eyes gazed into mine. She looked confused and happy all at the same time.
“Oh…” she said softly.
Winking at her, I said, “I’ll take the usual.”
When she quickly recovered, she nodded and smiled. “Coming right up. Do you need anything else, Mike?”
“Nah, I’m fine, but thanks, Sky.”
There was one thing I noticed that drove me insane. When people were alone and not thinking anyone was paying attention, they would be nice to Skylar with no snarky comments or dirty looks. They’d treat her like she should always be treated.
“So, you want to tell me why you’re nice to her when you’re alone with her, but at school, you treat her like she’s the plague?”
Mike shook his head. “You wouldn’t get it, Wyatt.”
“Really? Try me.”
“If you knew what was good for you, I wouldn’t be going around telling people y’all are dating.”
I let out a laugh. “Why? Because Mr. Sherman will pay a visit and threaten me in some way?”
Mike’s head jerked back. “Has he?”
“He tried, and my parents did what every single one of the damn parents around here should have done. They told him to get lost.”
Shaking his head, Mike let out a frustrated sigh while standing. He threw some money down on the counter and went to leave. Before he turned to walk away, he said, “You know, you really should come to at least a party or two that the team throws. You’re the quarterback, the leader of the team. It doesn’t look good when you pick the town wh—”