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)
Besides the death trap of being on the seventh floor without even a ledge to jump down to, the window didn’t have a latch to open. My plan was foiled.
With my parents fast asleep, I still went quietly through the suite, grabbed Joy’s car keys, and shut the main door without even a click of the latch.
Motivation propelled me back down the elevator to Joy’s car and on the road toward Beau. I didn’t get lost in the what-could-happen-if-I-was-caught possibility. It didn’t matter, except for the possible halt in my current mission. Less than ten minutes later, I parked on the side of the road where we’d hid before.
With the engine off, I sat in the dark and pulled up Beau’s cell phone number. I opted for a text in case his ring volume was turned up.
For the first time in my life, I was at a loss for words. It took forever to tap out the simple message.
“Are you awake?” I pushed send and immediately regretted it, wishing I could take the words back and type something witty and clever instead.
My phone rang loudly in the silence, catching me completely off guard. I answered before the first ring finished.
“Hello,” I said somewhat breathily and stared out the front wind shield at where I thought Beau’s bedroom might be.
“I’m awake. I’d text back but it costs money.” A dim light flashed in the window I watched.
“Yeah, I was afraid to call so late if your ringer was turned up loud,” I explained. “Can you come outside? I’m parked on the road where I dropped you off.”
Long seconds passed before he responded. “Is anyone with you?”
“No, I’m alone.” After several seconds of silence, I added, “I can come closer to your house.”
“Give me a minute,” he said quietly. I heard some rustling in the background, his voice going lower. “I gotta be quiet.”
“Okay. Do I come closer?” I offered again.
“No. I’ll be down in a minute. I gotta get dressed.” The call ended. My gaze fixed on the third-floor window. It took a few minutes before Beau’s shadow appeared in the window then started across the roof. He stayed low and moved quickly until he jumped from the third floor to the second, then down to the first. It was impressive.
I reached for the visor and stopped just shy of bringing it down. The lights on the mirror would put my vain side on full display. Instead, I turned the rearview mirror and pushed my hair in place.
Beau sprinted across the field. I got out of the car and went to standby the passenger door where the cluster of trees was thickest, easier to avoid prying eyes.
Another advantage to this side of the car was the eerily dark night aided in what I planned to do. He never slowed until he was a few feet from me.
He wasn’t out of breath, and his hair was free of the ball cap. The loose strands took on a windblown style. I liked it a whole lot.
“Hey,” he said, walking the last three or four steps to me.
“Hey.” I repeated a word I never used. “Did I wake you?”
“Nah. Not really. What’s goin’ on?” he asked, his hands going to his waistband.
All the confidence I had started with crumbled into a realization that this was a really bad idea. I had no idea how to begin. “I, umm.” My gaze riveted to my deck shoes. Staring at Beau made it too hard to think straight. “I wanted to tell you that I’d put in a good word for you at the docks, if you’re good with that?”
“Yeah. Sure. That’d be great. I guess. My nana won’t like it, but I need to work. Help pay my way if nothing else.”
I nodded and felt my face wrinkle. My nerves were getting the best of me.
“But you don’t have to. I’ll keep lookin’.”
“It’s not a problem for me, but that’s not why I’m here. I wanted to tell you that I enjoyed tonight,” I said and forced my gaze up to his. He said nothing, his face expressionless, giving me no sign of what he thought. “I feltlike we connected… You know…” I couldn’t hold the stare and continue. “I feltlike I needed to come back and let you know.”
“Okay,” he said.
“Wait. Hold on. I’m not saying what I want to say.” I took a step backward to lean my butt against the car. I crossed my arms over my chest and forced my spine to stiffen regardless of the sea of doubt rocking through me.
“Look, I’m gay,” I tried again. With my shoulders squared, I looked Beau straight in the eyes as I continued, “And I felt like we had a connection. That’s why I’m here and what I’m trying to say. Did I get it wrong?”