Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 120176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 601(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 601(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
His face was red. His mouth was clamped shut. He wanted to tell me. He wanted to hurt me.
I started nodding, knowing why he was doing it, but man. “My mom? Really?”
Whatever was holding him back broke. He started laughing, a harsh sound. “Yeah, she’s fucked up. Offered to blow me and my buddy if we did her. She wasn’t in a facility. Went to her place, but she wasn’t there. We reached out over her social media. She responded within three seconds. Told us right away where to meet her, and she loved talking about you. She told us all about you, how messed up you are, how you were introduced to sex too early in life. She loved telling us that story. You came on to–”
I knew it then. He was just going to go on, and on, and on.
He was going to rub the whole meeting in my face.
He was going to say and do anything to hurt me.
There was no point to this anymore.
“Enough.” Cruz moved before anyone could stop him. He wrapped his arm around Flynn’s neck, yanked him down, locked his arm with his other one, and applied pressure. “Time to go to sleep, buddy.”
Flynn was bent down, struggling. His face filled with color and as he gasped, he slowly, just, went to sleep. He tried hitting on Cruz’s arm, but no one helped him.
That said everything.
When he was out, Cruz dropped him. His frat brother knelt, feeling for his pulse, and stood back. “He’s fine. He’s just unconscious.”
Cruz was coming for me. “Party’s over.”
I nodded, feeling him pick me up. I was just fine with that.
I said to Gavin as Cruz carried me past him, “Hope your trip was worth it.”
52
MARA
I was in bed with Cruz when my phone woke me up.
Reaching down to the floor, I grabbed it and brought it up, but Cruz’s arm was around my waist. He was spooning me from behind, and no way was I moving away.
Skylar: We’re heading back. Wade called Angela and she wanted to talk to him. How are you doing?
Me: Good. Tired. Emotional hangover.
Skylar: I can only imagine. I’m sorry about your mom. I didn’t know. We didn’t know.
Me: I know. It’s… a little weird, to be honest. I’m not used to people knowing.
Skylar: My mom suffers from chronic anxiety and depression. And he told me last night that I could tell you that Miles’ brother suffers from schizophrenia.
Me: I didn’t know that.
Skylar: It’s not something we lead with, but my mom has her good days and bad. It’s an up and down thing. Miles can tell you about his brother, but we wanted you to know that we understand.
My whole body sighed. It went from my toes to the top of my head. I even felt myself sinking lower into the mattress, getting more comfortable than I already had been. I was feeling it at a soul sorta level.
Me: Thank you for letting me know.
Skylar: No problem. Taz texted to tell me she’s getting a ride back with someone else. Her and Race. She said to let you know. You’re going back with Cruz?
Me: I think so. That’s the plan.
Skylar: We’ll see you back at the house! Safe travels.
I went through my texts after, seeing a couple from everyone. Most were sharing their support. There was one from Miles, saying the same that Skylar just shared. Then at the bottom, I clicked on it.
Gavin: Can we talk sometime? I’ve been an ass.
Me: Yeah. Let’s do a library study sesh. You can buy me coffee before.
He didn’t reply, but another just popped in before I was going to put the phone away.
Blaise: Hey—happy for you and Styles. I never knew about your mom, but it makes sense. You don’t need to text back. I just wanted to send a small note to you. Anytime you need something, know that Zeke and I will always back you up. Just saying. Have a good one, Mara.
I frowned, then got a little emotional, but I replied back.
Thank you. You too, Blaise.
Blaise: thumbs-up emoji
Cruz’s arm tightened, and he turned, rolling to his back. He brought me with him, and I squawked right as my phone fell onto his chest.
He grinned, his eyes soft from sleep and there were sleep lines still around his mouth. Picking up my phone, he murmured, “Who’s texting my woman?”
I rested my head on his chest, loving how his arm swept to brush my hair back and smooth down my back. That hand went under my panties and rested over my ass, cupping one cheek.
“Read the last text.”
He did, his thumb moving over my screen. “Well, that’s unexpected.”
I moved my head so I could see him better. “The one from Blaise?”
He shook his head, the slightest motion from right to left. “No, the one from Miller. If he’s buying you coffee, I want to go too. He can buy me coffee as well.”