Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 107673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Beau slipped out of my grasp, swerving toward the tinfoil to roast the vegetables on. I wasn’t clueless as to the reason he left me. Seconds later, the jingling of keys landed on the kitchen island. Chandler stood in front of them.
“It’s a disaster up there, but hey, the sun’s setting, so I’ll call it done,” Chandler said with his usual flair. “Beau, it’s been a blast living with you, but seriously, dude, you talk my ear off.”
Beau had still never had a meaningful exchange with Chandler, but a mischievous smirk crept to Beau’s lips. All Chandler caught was a side view of Beau’s chin lifting in acknowledgement.
“You didn’t have to be so speedy,” I said and left Beau to handle the cooking. “The meat comes off in about five minutes. I’m going to walk him out.”
“’Course.”
Chandler, my steady friend through thick and thin, deserved more than the silent treatment, but Beau didn’t see it that way in the least.
As we went for the back door, my hand found my friend’s shoulder, and I gave a squeeze. “You’ve been my anchor for as long as I can remember,” I said, my tone thick with appreciation. “Thank you for everything. You didn’t have to move so fast.”
“Yeah, I did,” Chandler chuckled. “I’m roasted in my spot every time he puts that death glare on me. Dude’s possessive of you, and I hit him the wrong way. He won’t let me make it up to him.”
“I get why it seems that way, but he’s really a good guy,” I said, feeling like the class structure between him and Chandler was more Beau’s problem these days than anything to do with me. With his hand on the doorknob, I stopped Chandler, gripping his forearm. His questioning gaze met mine. How did I tell him how much his support meant to me? The quick shake of my head brought no words forward. My feelings were indescribable. “Thank you.”
Chandler waved off my appreciation as if it were nothing more than a nuisance. “No need for that. I thought you were crazy like everyone else, but I figured someone’s gotta look out for you.” His perfectly manicured brows lifted. “And Beau came back just like you said he would. Showed us all.” I continued to stare into eyes that were as familiar to me as my own. He’d been a tremendous best friend to me.
“Get over here,” Chandler said, pulling me into a bear hug. “You deserve the best, but you have to ensure your happiness too. You constantly give more than you receive in everything you do.”
With my eyes shut tight, I held on. An era was ending. He let go of me before I was ready and moved out of my hold. “I’ll never be far,” Chandler whispered. Maybe there was a tear in his eye just like mine.
“Me too,” I murmured, watching him slip out the back door. The cold wind stole my breath as Chandler jogged toward the moving van parked haphazardly along the side of the house. With a cleansing inhale, I locked the door and started in the direction of my new life.
“I didn’t listen but figured this might be difficult for you. You good?” Beau asked, standing like a sentry in the middle of the living room.
“Yeah.” I went for my guy, wrapping my arms around him. He drew me close, both his arms circling me protectively, giving me a perfectly pressured hug. “I’d be better if you bottomed sometimes.”
I lifted my gaze to watch his eyes roll. He let his arms drop from around me. “You let nothin’ go. I need time. Stop buggin’ me about it. So, when’re you cashin’ that check?”
We were cut from the same cloth. Touche.
One month later
Dallas, Texas
“Come on!” Dash’s repetitive use of those words, and deep tenor of his voice, bounced off the walls inside the bedroom. “It’s lonely out here.”
I barely cast a glance at the swimming pool where Dash’s head bobbed in the water. He was the ultimate mood-setter. Right now, he had romance on his mind. The sparkling twinkling lights and smooth music promised a good time. The pool heater held the temperature at a warm eighty-degrees. The inside pool lights were off. One bedroom window door panel was strategically cracked open to lure me outside. Of course, the scene designed for romance beckoned me, but my mind was preoccupied.
“I can’t swim for an hour after I eat,” I shouted loud enough for the crazy guy in the pool to hear. I was busy planning my future. On FedEx’s secure site, I dug through the two-page list of different owners who had their trucks and routes up for sale. The prices encouraged me. All I needed now was time and credit building under my belt. My goals were set. Maybe by the end of the summer…I’d be able to beat Scott’s income if I owned my own truck.