Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 78576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
He frowns. “You could’ve told me that before I took you to dinner.”
I drop my jaw. “Seriously? You want to go there?”
Maybe he’s not such a nice guy.
But then he rakes his fingers through his hair. “God, no, I’m not that guy. I don’t know why I even said that. It’s just that you’re so pretty, and I haven’t found anyone I’ve clicked with in a long time.”
I cock my head. “How’s that possible? You’re smart, good-looking.”
“I don’t know.” He looks at his feet. “But it’s not your problem.”
“Maybe it is. You want to talk? It might be good practice for me.”
He looks at my door. “I suppose it would be too much to ask to talk in your room.”
I laugh lightly. “Probably not a good idea. We can go down to the lounge. It’s still early on a Saturday night. I doubt too many people will be down there.”
A small smile creeps over his face. “You know what, Maddie? I think I’d like that.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Dave
“Hey,” I tell Maddie on the phone early on Friday, “I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”
“I can’t wait to see you either,” she says. “I’ve got some amazing news.”
“Yeah? What is it?”
“It’s something I want to tell you in person, Dave. I’m just so excited.”
Her voice is jubilant, and I’m not sure I’ve ever heard her sound quite as happy as she does right now.
I’m happy as well—happy that I’m going to be seeing her tomorrow evening.
Not happy that my uncle is fighting cancer.
He’s heading toward some nasty chemo and radiation, and he and Aunt Melanie have pretty much gone into seclusion.
I’d probably do the same thing if I were him.
I’m not happy about the talk I’m about to have with my father, either, where I’ll tell him I want to leave the position I’ve trained for my whole life and work with my uncle instead.
But all that matters right now is that Maddie is happy about something.
“Whatever it is, I’m glad about it because you sound ecstatic.”
“I totally am, Dave. I just have so much to share with you.”
“And you’re sure you don’t want to tell me any of it over the phone? I could use some good news.”
“No, I totally do not. It’s just too much excitement.”
I chuckle. “All right. I’ll see you at six o’clock sharp. Dress nicely. I’m taking you to the Fortnight.”
“Oh my God, that’s so funny. I was just thinking about that place.”
“Were you?”
“Yeah, I was out with this new friend of mine, and he—”
“He?”
“Yeah, he’s just a friend. He helped me make up some biology labs—”
“Sounds like a date to me, Maddie.”
“Oh, no, it wasn’t.” She pauses. “Although I think he thought it was.”
“Oh my God… Did he try anything?”
“Just a kiss.”
Fury consumes me. The jealousy. It’s like a green madness has overcome me.
“Maddie…”
“He’s just a friend. I promise. I made it very clear when he tried to kiss me that I was seeing someone else. We ended up talking until one a.m. in the dorm lounge, and I actually helped him with—”
A fist of darkness closes around my heart. “Maybe we shouldn’t go out tomorrow.”
“Dave, don’t be like that.”
“If you’re going out with other guys…”
“I told you, I’m not. Let’s just talk tomorrow, okay? I have so much great news.”
I take a deep breath and remind myself that I’m not that guy.
“Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry. I’m just a little on edge. With Uncle Joe and everything with my family. And Pat Lamone is my damned cousin.”
All that plus I haven’t even told Maddie I’m about to switch careers. Damn.
“I understand. I can’t wait to see you, Dave.”
“Yeah. Six sharp, Maddie.”
I end the call, wanting to say I love you.
But she hasn’t said it back to me yet, so I don’t.
I don’t think she’s lying to me. The guy may have thought it was a date, and maybe she didn’t. Or maybe she did think it was a date and—
I shake my head quickly to clear it. I can’t go there right now. Too much on my mind, and I don’t want anything to ruin tomorrow with Maddie.
Dad and I have been going over lots of documentation, getting the ownership all transferred.
I’m heading into town now to see Donny at his office as the city attorney. He’ll help me get everything recorded accurately.
And then…
I breathe in.
I’ve scheduled some time with Dad. After talking at length with Uncle Talon and finding out he’s thrilled for me to be on board, I knew it was time.
I draw in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Maddie was not on a date with another guy, I tell myself. And she has exciting news.
Embrace the excitement for her. It will help you get your mind off your own damned problems.
Even though I know I don’t have any problems. Uncle Joe is the one with the problem, and damn… He’s not just my uncle. He’s Brock’s father. And Brock is closer to me than my own brother is.