Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55839 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55839 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Ledger looks mortified at the idea of telling Devereaux. “Not while Chloe’s in labor. This is something I can handle on my own.”
I nod. “If you need any help, let me know.”
“I’m just wondering what will happen once Bane finds out.”
“Maybe Bane had something to do with it,” Greer shocks us both by saying.
“Why do you think that?” I ask her.
She shrugs, her mahogany-colored hair falling over her shoulders as she does. “I don’t know. Just a feeling I get about him. You should have seen him in the arraignment. I don’t trust him.”
“Me either,” I add on. “I don’t trust anyone.” It’s true. I trust the people closest to me, and that’s it. I trust Greer. Having her around calms my anxiety.
And at the thought of my anxiety, it’s here, rearing its ugly face.
"Are you okay, Roman?" Greer's voice cuts through the tension, prompting me to take another deep breath, drawing in air until my lungs are fully expanded.
I nod, knowing if I’ve got Greer around I don’t need to worry about my anxiety. “I’m fine,” I smile, my body unwinding.
I push away the thoughts of losing control over my body and lock eyes with Ledger. He nods at me, silently asking me if I’m okay.
“I’m seriously fine,” I say aloud, knowing that I can control this anxiety. At least, hoping I can. Greer makes it easier to face it.
Ledger and Greer discuss Bane and Posey more, and I think about my life. My best friend is having a baby right now, and it makes me reflect on myself. Will I ever have a baby? Will Greer be the mother?
I watch my brother as he speaks about this Posey woman with Greer, and I can tell he’s got a little something for this woman, even if he doesn’t admit it out loud.
Dangerous territory he’s wading into.
“You like this woman?” I blurt out, interrupting their conversation.
Greer and Ledger both pivot to look at me, with Ledger's expression betraying a hint of shock at my question. He understands trying to lie to me—there's simply no point.
“There’s just something about her,” he whispers, and Greer’s eyes grow wider.
“Oh Ledger,” she gasps, obviously knowing how bad this is.
“Don’t worry. I know she’s engaged, and I don’t plan on doing anything about it.” Ledger glances at his phone once more, and I can’t shake this feeling of unease.
I want to believe him. Really, I do, but why is he watching his phone like a hawk?
After what feels like an eternity, Devereaux walks out to deliver the good news.
“A healthy baby boy,” he says with one of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen on his face.
We all congratulate him and time moves like a snail until we’re allowed into the room with Chloe and the baby.
Chloe’s face beams as she gazes down at her son in her arms. She’s a trooper, and she looks great. “I want you all to meet Devereaux Junior.”
Devereaux looks like a proud papa standing next to Chloe and my heart fills with happiness as I stare at my two friends.
Greer coos over the baby, talking with Chloe. Ledger and Dev discuss a few things about the club, and I stand back and watch it all. Like I’m looking into someone else’s life. The life I realize I want.
I want it all.
And I want it with her.
My fake girlfriend.
TWENTY-ONE
GREER
“Can you believe how perfect my little nephew is?” I ask from the front seat of Roman’s SUV on the way back to my place.
“He was incredibly perfect,” he answers in a monotone voice.
“What’s wrong?” I ask because he’s been sort of off since we left the hospital.
He pulls into my driveway and switches off the engine. As he does so, he places a hand on my knee. The mere touch sends shivers cascading down my spine.
“One of my best friends just had a baby. It’s a pretty big thing. Dev is the guy who jumped off a roof when he was fifteen just to see if he could, and now that guy has a baby.”
I laugh lightly, remembering how Dev twisted his ankle when he decided one sunny afternoon that he’d jump off the roof of our childhood home. “Yeah, it’s hard to believe.”
Roman’s silent again, staring at his hand on my knee. He moves his thumb in lazy circles. “It’s just a lot to process.”
I run my fingers over his hand. “Let me help you process it better.” I don’t know what’s come over me, but it's as if my body has transformed into a live wire, crackling with anticipation, poised to be ignited at any moment. Watching Roman hold my nephew changed something deep inside me.
He leans in, capturing my lips, and I moan against him. “Let’s take this inside,” he whispers across my skin causing an electric shiver to race up my spine.