Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 77422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
I wanted to laugh at the look on Alexa’s face that I saw in the reflection of Dean’s shiny red truck, but refrained.
Barely.
When he opened the truck door wide and leaned in for me, I put my hands up to stop him.
“Let me try to stand,” I insisted.
He ignored me and lifted me like a rag doll, placing me in the front seat and going as far as to strap my belt on as well.
“Thanks, Daddy,” I muttered darkly.
Except his eyes flared in delight.
“We never played that game,” he teased softly, his eyes close to mine. “But we can once you’re back in fighting shape.”
I was shaking my head in denial before he’d even finished.
“Negative,” I stared at him. “I’ve already been tossed away by you once. The first time, shame on you. If I let you do it again, shame on me.”
He smiled.
“We’ve got a lot to talk about,” he suggested.
I shook my head again.
“No, we don’t,” I disagreed. “You said enough a year ago when you broke my heart.”
His eyes softened.
“Maybe,” he said. “But you broke mine, too, when you didn’t even try to fight for me.”
My eyes widened, but he stepped back and closed the door before I could reply.
Had I done that?
Yeah, I guess I did.
But was that what he’d wanted me to do? Fight for him?
Surely, if he’d still wanted me in his life, I’d be with him right now. He wouldn’t have broken up with me in the first place if he’d felt that way about me.
My head turned to the side as I watched Alexa twirl her finger around a stray lock of hair, her eyes honed in on Dean who was leaning haphazardly against the door.
“I’m so fucked,” I whispered to myself.
Almost as if he’d heard me, Dean turned to survey me inside, checking to make sure I was okay.
Once he’d ascertained I was alright, he turned back to his conversation with Alexa.
Then, to add the icing on to the cake that was my fucking day, he laughed and pulled her into a hug.
Alexa’s eyes met mine over his shoulder, and she smiled smugly.
I didn’t bother to do anything.
What would be the point?
She’d already fucked me over. What was she going to do now?
Dean was already out of my life, and if I had my wish, he would stay that way.
Chapter 9
When she’s mad at you, tighten all the jar lids so she has to talk to you.
-Man hacks
July
Three days later
“Oh, my God, Angie. Why is this not fitting?” I cried in annoyance, staring at the wall where I was putting boards up to embellish the room somewhat.
“Two by sixes are actually five and a quarter,” a deep, heavily annoyed voice ground out from behind me.
I stiffened.
My back went ramrod straight as I turned and glared at the interloper.
“What are you doing here?” I snapped.
He crossed his arms over his chest, his muscles bulging and bunching with the movement.
My mouth went dry, my eyes staring at his chest in fascination.
Dean’s chest had a way of making me tongue-tied on the best of days. Today, however, I’d snuck out of his house while he was in the shower, having called a cab to take me to my project house.
I’d even gone as far as to lock all the doors, too.
I kept quiet when the knocking had started an hour ago, and had been doing a bang up job, I thought, of pretending that I wasn’t here.
Then Angie had arrived, and she obviously left the door unlocked when she came in.
“You’re supposed to be in bed,” he said, not answering my question or reacting to the clear annoyance in my voice.
“I’m tired of being in bed,” I said, crossing my arms.
The action was wasted, because the moment I crossed my arms, a sharp pain shot through my shoulder as the wound at my back pulled.
The grimace that came over my face fled within seconds as I tried to compose myself, but Dean saw it and started forward.
“No!” I shook my finger at him.
He ignored me, gathering me up in his arms like one would a small child, and started stalking back to the front door.
“Call the cops, Angie!” I yelled at my friend.
Angie waved at me.
“If this were me, you’d do the same!” she called just as the door closed.
I narrowed my eyes but didn’t fight.
What would be the point?
In the end the result would be the same. I’d still end up in Dean’s truck on the way back to his house.
He deposited me in the front seat while Bowe and Drew watched from their perches on the roof, both men finding the entire thing hilarious.
I flipped them both off, causing them to laugh even harder.
“I see you got your roof up,” I muttered darkly, admiring the pretty red tin.
I’d always loved the look of the red tin. I’d actually been planning it for my old house, but I hadn’t gotten the chance to put it on before I’d sold it.