Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Turning on her heels, she started to walk toward the nurses’ station. When I turned around, I found Rory standing there, her hands on her hips and a pissed-off look on her face.
“Why are you giving me that look?”
“Finn was right. You’re using Clare to make your ex-girlfriend jealous.”
I should have known my brother would share his thoughts with his wife. Traitor. I let out an annoyed laugh. “Yeah, because I had it all planned out that we would run into Mandy here, Rory. You caught me!”
She walked up to me and lowered her voice. “Finn told me you’re fake dating. That kiss didn’t look like fake dating to me, Wes. So help me God, if you are playing my best friend.”
“I’m not, Rory. Will you please stop.”
She tilted her head and regarded me. “Then are you both truly dating? Is this really a game like Finn said?”
My feet froze, and for a moment I felt like turning and running in the opposite direction.
When I looked over at her, she looked more concerned than angry.
“It’s complicated.”
Her brows rose. “Why is it complicated?”
“It just is, Rory.”
She slowly shook her head. “I don’t believe this. How in the hell did you talk Clare into going along with this charade? And why were you kissing her in the kitchen earlier? None of this makes sense. No one was in there with you two.”
I rubbed at the back of my neck. “Like I said, it’s complicated.”
“Uncomplicate it for me, then, Wes. I swear to God, if you do anything to hurt Clare, I will make you pay for it dearly.”
Looking at Rory, I could see why she was a good lawyer. She made me want to curl up in a ball and confess everything.
“Clare is an adult.”
“What does that mean? Explain this to me, Wes. You somehow managed to talk Clare into dating you, does she really know it’s to win back Mandy, or are you using her?”
“Of course, she knows! I would never deceive her like that.”
Rory gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh my God. It’s a ruse? The whole dating thing is a ruse?”
“No. Yes. I mean, no. I don’t know!”
Rory sat down and set her coffee on the small table at the side of the chair.
Slowly shaking her head, she looked up at me. “You lied to your Mom. Was the kiss fake? Did you know your mother would be walking in? You thought you could get a two for one with Clare as your fake girlfriend? Win back Mandy and get your mother off your back.”
“Rory, you don’t–”
She started to talk over me. “What do you have on Clare that would make her go along with this ridiculous game?”
I jerked my head back in surprise. “I’m not bribing her with anything. And I’m sorry, but aren’t you the one who kept your relationship with Finn a secret so your father wouldn’t find out?”
She stood again. “That is completely different, Wes! You’re using my best friend to break up an engaged couple!”
“Stop it, both of you.”
Rory and I both turned to see Clare standing there. My heart felt like it cracked open at the sight of her. She looked so damn defeated and tired.
“Clare, honey, why don’t you let me take you home so you can take a shower and get some decent sleep,” Rory said as she took Clare’s hands in her own.
“Thank you, Rory, but I’m not leaving. Not until I make sure my parents are going to be okay.”
Rory gave me a pleading look.
“Clare, I can stay, and if I hear anything I’ll call you.”
She shook her head. “I’m not leaving.”
“Clare, let’s get some food in you and some rest. We can also talk about this mess Wes has gotten you into.”
I wanted to say something to Rory but kept my mouth shut. I got that she was worried about her best friend, but she also had no idea what was going on.
“Mess?” Clare asked.
Rory motioned between me and Clare. “Yes, this mess he has somehow managed to talk you into.”
Clare’s gaze met mine. Without looking at Rory, she softly said, “I appreciate you worrying about me, Rory. But I’m fine.”
“Clare, you can’t seriously be willing to go along with this crazy idea of his. It’s insane!”
Turning to face her best friend, Clare put her hand to her forehead. “Stop. Rory, please just stop! This isn’t the time to talk about what is going on between me and Wes.”
Rory instantly shut her mouth.
“I need you to trust me, please. I also need you to back off right now. If you care anything about me, you’ll please let this go.”
Rory’s eyes went wide before her entire body relaxed and she released a breath. “I’m sorry. You’re right. Now isn’t the time to do this. But I’m not leaving. I want to be here for you.”