Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“You don’t mean that. You’re upset about Crystal, but I promise you I’m not like her. You have to know that.”
“My kids come first,” he growls angrily. “Can’t you get that?”
“I do get it. And I respect that. I don’t need to be first in your life. I just don’t need to be below this anger you have for your ex-wife.”
“Well, I’m sorry. I can’t seem to let you be anywhere else.”
Kiera steps into the living room, her expression wary. “Is everything okay?”
“No,” I say, my eyes never leaving Drake’s. I make a last attempt to reach him. “Don’t let her do this to you. To us. You’re going to lose something that could be very good for you.”
Drake says nothing, his eyes flicking back and forth between mine. Then his mouth flattens. “So be it.”
He turns to Kiera. “Take Brienne home while I go talk to the boys.”
“Okay,” Kiera says, looking to me with sympathy.
“No,” I say softly, shaking my head at Kiera and holding up a hand. “I’ll get an Uber. I’ll wait for it outside.”
Drake doesn’t respond but turns his back on me and walks up the stairs. I hear as he enters the boys’ room and the door shuts behind him.
“I’m sorry, Brienne.” Kiera eases up to me, puts her hands on my shoulders. “He didn’t mean that stuff.”
“He did, Kiera.” My chest squeezes painfully, a sure sign I’ve fallen for him way harder than I ever thought possible. It’s no wonder it hurts so much when I hit the bottom.
“Let me get my keys. I’ll drive you home.”
“No.” I embrace her in a quick hug. “You’re actually needed here.”
I turn and hurry away from Kiera. Grabbing my purse near the door, I step out onto the porch and pull out my phone. Tears blind me, and I have to blink them away to see the Uber app so I can order a car.
With a sigh, I sit on the porch and wait for my ride, understanding that for the first time in my life, I’ve actually had my heart broken.
CHAPTER 30
Brienne
I skipped the gym this morning, not because I was afraid I might run into Drake—he’s on the way to Los Angeles for an extended road trip against both LA teams, then to Houston before coming back to Pittsburgh—but because I have so much to do today, I couldn’t spare the time.
Who knew that, with a broken heart, would so easily come a resolve to erase all reminders of what I’d built with Drake?
Sunday, I moped all day, replaying every conversation and interaction I’ve ever had with the man. I focused on the last few weeks when we’d grown closer and shared our feelings to see if I could pinpoint something crucial I’d missed. I had my driver take me out to the Laurel Highlands and just drive around. I looked at the changing leaves as I pondered and sometimes cried, slightly perturbed I couldn’t even drive myself, and vowed I’d spend time getting my driver’s license.
None of it brought clarity, but when Monday dawned, I knew the only way to heal myself was to go back to the way things were before I ever met Drake.
The walls went up, and I reminded myself that relationships and feelings were for chumps. While I had no intention of going back to Clay, because that had run its course with or without Drake, I knew that one day when I was ready, I’d keep my time with men boiled down to the physical necessities.
Or I’d just pursue a better relationship with my vibrator.
Yes, it’s anger driving me as I walk into my office. I drop my briefcase beside my desk, set my travel coffee cup down, and press the intercom button to summon Tina.
She arrives within fifteen seconds, notepad poised to take notes as she settles into a guest chair. “I want you to arrange for someone to come pack up my files and belongings here and have them moved back over to my office at Norcross Holdings.”
Tina stares at me dumbfounded. “I’m sorry… what?”
“You heard me. We’re moving back across the river.” She looks at me as if she needs an explanation, but I’m not about to give her one. “I’d like this done today, so I suggest you get working on it.”
“Of course,” Tina says, scribbling a note, then looking back up. “And just to remind you, your driver will be here at four p.m. to take you to the airport for your flight to LA.”
“Cancel the flight,” I reply curtly, opening my laptop.
“You’re not going to the games?” she asks.
“No.” I look up at her, an idea striking hot. The road trip out to Los Angeles, then Houston, was going to be four nights with Drake, and there’s no way I can be there when we’re not together. “In fact, I think I’ll head to New York.”