Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“Oh, I’m sure he doesn’t hate you.”
Empty words of comfort. I roll my eyes. “I’m sure he does. He has always had a low opinion of me. I’m the snobby son of Mario Tucci. I’m too ‘precious’ to be part of his friend circle of bros. I’ve always been that to him. I can tell. I can see myself in his eyes each time he looks at me, the way he thinks of me. How can he be so judgmental over the years? What did I ever do to him? He doesn’t deserve such a sweetheart like Bobby.” I grab my glass just as the guy comes around again. “More, please.”
Cole watches as the red liquid swirls into my glass from the bottle like silk. “Maybe the answer is … kinda in the question …?”
I smack my lips unintentionally after another big sip and face him. “What do you mean?”
“Maybe Jimmy needs someone like Bobby in his life. My mom was always very uptight, when she was around. My dad, laidback. He taught her how to relax and let loose sometimes. She taught him how to do his taxes. Win, win.” Cole smiles dashingly.
I squint at him. “Your mom’s no longer around?”
“She’s, well …” He shrugs. “Let’s talk about that another night, okay? Now’s probably not the best time for that can of worms.”
“Why do you keep defending Jimmy Strong, by the way?” The question fumbles from my lips before I can stop it. After a look of confusion on Cole’s face, I set down my glass with a sigh. “Sorry. I don’t feel well. I should probably just—” Suddenly, I’m not sorry anymore. “Actually, no, I do want to know. Shouldn’t you be on my side a bit more if you’re my date?”
Cole parts his lips, then appears unsure what to say at all, his cheeks flushing slightly. Goddamn, this boy is gorgeous.
“I get it,” I answer for him. “Jimmy’s your boss.”
“Well, it’s not really that, per se …”
“Jimmy’s your friend, then? Or his big brother was your coach in high school? Or everyone worships and reveres the Strongs unconditionally in this town? I’m your date, Cole Harding.”
“I—I know.” He faces me completely. “I feel like I do better by you by … being honest, forthcoming, and encouraging you to keep an open mind and heart about everything. No one really has to be the bad guy here. Jimmy rubs some people the wrong way. So do I, sometimes, believe it or not.”
That makes me scoff at once. “I very much don’t believe that. You’re perfection in a handyman’s Hell basket.”
“I’m … not sure what that means, but thanks?”
“And thanks for trying to ‘open my heart’ or whatever, but I really don’t feel like opening my heart any more. I just want you to laugh with me, to make fun of Jimmy’s over-the-top, cock-of-the-block bullshit with me, to be my buddy, to …” I’m having déjà vu. Did I say these words already? If not, from whose mouth did they spill before? I find myself settling back into my seat, my eyes detaching from the whole scene, feeling far, far away.
Then it hits me who said them.
Someone I need right now.
And I murmur: “But he isn’t here.”
A moment passes. Cole leans in closer. “But … who isn’t here?”
His voice is so innocent and curious at times, like a naïve boy who still hasn’t seen the world. That’s how most people in Spruce are like at times, as sheltered and clueless as they come.
It hurts to hear that innocence.
Cole deserves someone so much better than me.
“I have to pee,” I announce.
I leave Cole at the table and head for the restrooms, located in the other corner of the room by a tall, skinny potted plant with a whole ton of fluttery white lights thrown all over it.
The door shuts heavily at my back, drowning out the noise of laughter, tinkling plates, and happiness.
No windows in the restroom. Only the dark booms of distant thunder touch me here. Present mood considered, the booms feel like my friends, comforting me somehow. I stand in front of the mirror and stare at my face.
I look the way I feel.
That is to say: not very well.
My eyes drop to the red scarf, which I nearly forgot was still around my neck. For all its intricate design and lace to admire, the only part I seem to focus on is its lone flaw—the tiny place where it snagged on the Christmas tree.
Of course that makes me think of someone else.
Someone I wish was here right now.
The door swings open. I spin around, for half a second hoping against all odds that Samuel has decided to make another surprise appearance, heroically showing up just in time to rescue me.
What I find instead is Jimmy Strong’s face.
Chapter 14