Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 70554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Put an end to everything.
Unfortunately, the second I dart forward, someone else unexpectedly steps into my way causing me to stumble backward. “Ohmygod, Nolan?!”
Fuck. Me.
Really?
Of all the people I had to run into today, it had to be her?
The familiar shades of red are ruffled around like a flag being waved, warning me to not only go back the way I came but to avoid even the pleasantries.
Because with Jolene nothing is ever really pleasant.
More like a ploy or a prelude to something much worse than your mind can conjure up at the moment of meeting.
“Did you not see me walkin’ here?” she sasses, preventing my stare from stealing a second glance at the stranger I was chasing. “I’m kinda hard to miss, honey.”
Not hard enough.
“That’s how I got you, ain’t it?”
It isn’t.
“Where ya headed, anyway?” my ex curiously continues to interrogate. “Meetin’ someone for a quickie in the lot?” Mischievousness that makes my stomach churn dances around her makeup caked on complexion. “Want company?”
Rather than reply to her offer, I cut my glare to where the individual has disappeared, most likely into the vehicle.
Who are they?
“I could use a goodtime…”
Who were they watching?
Was it us?
Was it Rabbit?
Is it McAdams or another one of his fuck boy lackeys we missed?
“Wow,” Jolene dramatically sighs, forcing my gaze back to hers. “Your new girlfriend requires you to completely ignore me?”
“If she did, I’d do it.” I lean forward and flash her a smug smirk. “Happily.”
Her eyes slightly narrow to thin slits.
Our paths haven’t crossed much since we split.
And I’ve been rather grateful for that.
I mean no one likes running into their ex unless they’re looking for a post breakup fuck or blowjob.
Which I’m not and never will be.
“So, the rumors are true then?” She inquires on the folding of her arms. “You are dating Little Miss New in Town?”
“And The Kid.” Another arrogant smirk is given. “We’re one, big, constantly fuckin’ family.” I let my head fall condescendingly to one side. “Jealous?”
“No.” The sneer she presents indicates the opposite. “I am lookin’ to settle down with somethin’ a little more traditional.”
“You mean you’re lookin’ to finally be the one he cheats on instead of with?”
“That’s cynical.”
“Rich comin’ from the woman who meets engaged men by day and strips for them by night.”
“At least I know who they’re actually fuckin’ by day.”
“I wasn’t fuckin’ The Kid when we were together.”
“But you wanted to.” Her pointed index finger stabs me in the chest. “And that’s pathetic.”
“Why?” My eyebrows shift towards the sky. “Because I loved him and not you?”
“Because you’d rather play find the monkey wrench with a toddler than actually commit to a real relationship!”
“I am committed to a real relationship. It’s just one that doesn’t include you.”
“Yeah, well, we both know the shit you’re doin’ now ain’t goin’ nowhere unlike the men I meet on a daily.”
“You mean the engaged men you’re tryin’ to fuck when their wives to be aren’t watchin’?”
“Has it ever occurred to you that some men can’t be tempted to cheat?”
“You’re lookin’ at one.”
The eye roll she delivers is accompanied by a headshake. “I mean a real man. One who would go to the ends of the earth for his woman. One who would move heaven and earth. One would hike any mountain and cross every ocean and pay every last dollar he has just to find her and make her his again.”
Her particular phrasing prompts the hairs that had settled to stand up straight again.
“One who would stop at nothin’ to have her. Who wouldn’t let anyone get in his way. Not her family. Not her friends. Not even the one-nightstands she used to try to get over him.”
Distress unforgivingly plops itself into the pit of my stomach.
“And before you tell me men like that don’t exist, I know they do. Annabelle and I have been meetin’ with one from Florida, Chad McAllen, who has told us all the lengths he’s willing to go to for the woman he loves.”
It slowly rolls around from one end to the other.
“And not only that, but he’s doin’ all the weddin’ plannin’ for his flighty fiancée too! He’s done the tourin’. The bookin’. Even her dress pickin’. Says he doesn’t want her havin’ to worry about one single thing on their special day.”
That feeling promptly transitions to one of terror.
Dread.
“He swears, she’ll love him to her last breath for all he’s done, and you know what?” Jolene longingly tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “I truly believe she will.” She gives me one last disgusted look. “Now, that’s true love.”
No.
That’s a funeral in the making.
And one I’ll do whatever’s necessary to prevent my woman from attending.
Chapter 10
Kipp
Nolan releases a slightly amused grunt. “I can’t believe we’re doing this.”
“It was either this or watch Tokyo Drift while waitin’ for dinner to be ready,” I promptly remind.