Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Chapter 28
Brock
I watch Willow disappear with the elevator and turn my attention to Lake. I narrow my eyes at him and he steps back, holding his hands up.
“I simply told the truth, you can’t be pissed at me for that,” he rushes out.
I scoff and take a step closer. “The truth is you’re a selfish, narcissistic asshole who finds pleasure in hurting Willow time and time again. She might hate me, but it’s not because of the way I treated her, because I worshipped her and she knows it. I got a glimpse of what you tossed aside and had her screaming my name over and over.” I take another step closer and crack my knuckles. “You don’t want her, but you want her to want you. It’s fucking sick and to bring it to the attention of everyone during Paxton’s wedding just proves how fucked up you really are. You ruined his wedding and you hurt Willow again. I’m gonna give you to the count of three to get the fuck out of here or you’ll be begging to only feel the sting from Willow’s punch.”
His eyes widen and he runs to the exit before I even start counting.
Fucking pussy.
I turn and my eyes land on the elevator. She said she hates me and doesn’t have feelings for me. It’s more painful than it should be. I let my heart get involved while she clearly kept her’s protected.
She’s a good liar, I’ll give her that because I would’ve bet all my money on red that she was all in like me.
“Brock?”
I lift my head toward my mother’s voice and push down all the pain I’m feeling. “I’m sorry, Mom. I was trying to help her. I had no intention of ruining Paxton’s wedding, or of Willow getting hurt again. I don’t need you telling me how wrong it was. Not now.”
She wraps her arms around me and I welcome the comfort. My heart is shattering in my chest and I can’t even admit it.
“Everything happens for a reason, my sweet boy. I see the hurt in your eyes. It wasn’t all fake.”
I pull away and shrug, shoving my hands into my pants pockets. “Yeah it was. I could really use a drink.”
She nods, resting her hand on my cheek. “You’re an Atwood and we fight for what we want.”
“Some fights are pointless, Mom,” I say, walking back into the reception area.
The music is playing. The dance floor is crowded. There’s talking, laughing, and the clattering of dishes. It’s as if nothing happened, yet I’m not the same guy I was just a half hour ago. I feel defeated. I can’t remember a time that I’ve been this hurt. Yet, as I stand here, the world around me moves on as if nothing happened. My pain is irrelevant to everyone, including Willow.
I move to the bar and order a shot, tossing it back quickly before asking for another.
“Gonna drown out the pain?”
I turn toward Paxton and lean my back against the bar. “I’m sorry that shit happened. I didn’t intend to disrupt your special day.”
“Does it look like you disrupted anything? Lake showed his true colors, I should’ve listened to you when you said what an asshole he was.”
I toss back another shot and shrug. “He just told the truth.”
“Did he?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.
“Yep.”
“So everything between you and Willow was an act? Come on, brother, you aren’t that good of an actor.”
I force a grin, grabbing another shot. “Seems like I am,” I say, tossing back the shot.
“You do realize that we grew up together right? I saw you in a school play once and you sucked. I’ve watched you trying to lie to Mom and Dad and it was painful to witness. I sat on the couch and watched you attempting to break up with someone. You can’t lie or act. So, cut the bullshit and be honest with me. Holding it in is only going to make it worse,” he says.
I shake my head before scrubbing my face. My eyes lift to his and I can feel the pain like a knife in my heart.
“It started out as this fake relationship. I figured if we pretended to be together it would rub salt in Lake’s wounds and get Mom off my back. It was supposed to just be for the wedding. But I started enjoying being with her. I started looking at her differently and we both felt the pull toward each other. We decided to go with ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.’ So, yeah we slept together. A lot.” I run my hand through my hair and squeeze the back of my neck. “Anyway, I caught feelings for her.”
Paxton smiles, handing me a beer. “So, what’s the problem? You can see no one cares what Lake had to say.”