Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Whiskey follows me though.
Because he can’t leave well enough alone.
CHAPTER 24
WHISKEY
“You should check your phone.” I smile as I hit send to her. She eyes me suspiciously and reaches for her phone pulling it out, when she does, I know what she sees.
Did she really think I wouldn’t know. She has a drummer’s number on her hand, and I saw it happen, I watched as she paused and I could tell, if I was not in the picture, she would have gone home with him that night.
“You are recording me again?” she screams and throws her phone at my head. “How did you get cameras in my bar? How do you even have access to the cameras in my bar? Fuck you, Whiskey.” She walks over and pushes me, but I don’t budge.
I lean in real close.
“Those cameras are mine.”
“They are not,” she says her hand goes to her hip at it pops to the side.
Fuck, this woman.
“Oh, but they are. I watch you strut your stuff in that bar. I watch as men eye fuck you. But you are married now. So, I won’t accept it. He’s lucky I didn’t break his fucking legs for what he said, and if you call him, Bunny, I will break his fucking legs.”
“You don’t have the power, just because you are rich doesn’t mean you have that power.” I smile and lean in and kiss her cheek, she sucks in a breath.
“I’ve killed for less, my sweet Bunny.”
Lottie storms off to the bedroom, and when I walk in, I don’t even recognize it as my own anymore. All my things are gone from the closet, and all that hangs in there are her things. Her wedding dress, which I dream about her in often, hangs proudly on the door.
“You got rid of my things?” I ask, coming up behind her.
She starts taking off her earrings, one by one. “Yes. Why would I keep your shit here if you aren’t here,” she answers, then sits on the bed, slipping off her shoes.
“Don’t get undressed. We have an event.”
She eyes me up and down. “You can go by your damn self.”
“No, you should come. Your parents will be there.”
She harrumphs, and I know I’ve won.
“Black tie?” she asks, but the way she says it I can see the defeat in her. Then with an eye roll she follows with, “Of course, it is. My father would not go to anything less.” She walks to her closet and pulls out a dress.
“You don’t have to wear an evening dress, if you don’t want to.”
She eyes me suspiciously. “What? Of course I do, there’s a dress code for a reason.” Then she starts undressing.
I turn, looking away and sitting on the bed while she gets ready.
Walking into the bathroom she disappears, and I see the bedding has even changed. You can’t even tell I used to live here. It’s completely her.
“Okay, I’m ready. Let’s get this over with.” Lottie didn’t redo her make-up, but she still looks absolutely beautiful.
“Your father has asked me again. He’s very keen for me to sponsor him.”
“You do what you want, like you do anyway. Honestly, I couldn’t care less.” She grabs her purse and starts to walk to my car, so I open the door for her as she climbs in.
Leaning down, I look at her green eyes. They’re vibrant tonight, and I wonder if it’s Shane who put the sparkle there, and then I wonder if it’s me who will continue to dim it. “You should care.” Then I shut the door.
Walking around, I slide into the car. We go in complete silence. I probably should have started the conversation with ‘how have you been?’ instead of interrogating her. But I can’t help myself. I had to know. I keep tabs on her, and she leads a pretty simple life. It’s one she seems to enjoy—work, friends, and home. Guys notice her, but she doesn’t notice them.
Until tonight.
Arriving at the venue, a red carpet is set up, and I smile.
“Is this a large function?” she asks, looking at the venue.
“Yes.”
She sighs but puts on the fakest of smiles as I walk around to her door and help her out. She places her hand in mine as the cameras start flashing as we walk toward the entrance, “at least they make it obvious they are recording.” Dropping her hand at her words, I place mine on the small of her back, she stiffens at my touch when we walk in.
When you’ve been to one of these, you’ve been to them all. And they eventually become redundant and lose the appeal they once held. Now, I’d rather be anywhere but here. I would rather be sitting at an IHOP with this woman on the other side of the table.
“You made it,” Barry exclaims. “And you look beautiful, Lottie.” He nods to her.