Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
No. I can’t give her what she wants.
No matter how much I want it too.
I swallow another moan before adjusting my hard cock and going back to my room. I grab my work bag—my dad’s old Assassins backpack—and head into the living room. I breathe a sigh of relief when I don’t see Emery. That’s the last thing I need right now, especially when my body is burning for her. She’s only been in my space for a full twenty-four hours, and I’m already salivating for her.
Okay, let me be honest. I’m always salivating when it comes to Emery Elaine Brooks.
Yeah, this is going to go great for me.
You’re engaged.
She left you.
Maybe if I keep repeating that, I’ll believe my words.
Before I can reach the kitchen, my phone rings. I pull it out of the thigh pocket of my scrubs to see it’s Benny. I miss the fucker. Even if he’s the reason I’m in this position. Though, knowing Emery, she’d sleep in my bed or even on the couch if there weren’t an extra room.
I can’t help but smile at how she does what she wants. I love that about her.
Except when she’s directing it all on me when I’m engaged.
“Hey, bro. What’s up?”
“Hey,” Benson says, his voice light. I remember when he had such a roughness to his tone. He was miserable and always waiting for that second chance with the love of his life, Cameron. Now, the two of them are living the dream. Both social media stars, while Benson also plays for the Blackhawks. I’m thankful for how it all worked out for them. How destiny made sure to put them together again. “Did you survive?”
I scoff. “Barely. She went to dinner at Posey’s house.”
“What? Posey let her in?”
“She invited her,” I say with a roll of my eyes. I throw my bag on the couch before leaning my hip into it. “Of course, we got into it. She claimed in front of everyone that I’m hers.” I fully expect him to laugh, but he doesn’t. “Benson?”
“Yeah, I’m here. Just digesting all this. What did you say?”
“Told her I wasn’t.”
“But…”
“But nothing. I’m marrying Ava.”
Benson blows out an annoyed breath. “Why, dude? You love Emery.”
I don’t deny it, nor do I confirm it before I say, “I’m marrying Ava.”
I have to keep saying those words, so I don’t worry that Emery will fuck it up somehow and I’ll lose everything. Maybe I should be honest. Tell her what is going on and how this has to happen. While she’s a possessive pain in my ass, she would support me. She’d let me— No, she wouldn’t. Who the fuck am I kidding? That girl isn’t going to let me marry Ava without a fight.
And I don’t know if my armor is thick enough to survive the battle.
It never is. Not where Emery is concerned.
I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. “It is what it is.”
Benson makes a noncommittal noise. “I think you should blow Ava off. I don’t know what she has on you, but you know all of us would help you get out of it.”
I know that, but I refuse to put my bad choices on my family. “There is nothing to get out of,” I lie once more. Since I agreed to this, I’m realizing how easy it is to lie to my family. That’s not a very healthy thought. Alas, that’s where I am in life. “How’s Cam?”
He doesn’t like the subject change, but I don’t miss the excitement in his voice. “She’s good. Adjusting to Blackhawks life out here. It’s weird wearing black and red when I’m used to purple and black.”
I chuckle. “Especially when they’re our rivals.”
“For sure, but everyone has been kind. I like it here.”
“Good. I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks. Cam’s thinking of coaching at the top gymnastics gym here.”
“That’s badass.”
“Yeah. They’re offering her a pretty good amount of money. I don’t know, we’ll see.”
“Great,” I say enthusiastically. “I’m excited for the wedding.”
“Yeah, me too. I’m glad we’re doing it back home,” he admits, and I couldn’t agree more. My parents are his, which is why he and Cam are getting married on my parents’ land out in the country. It’ll be a super-small wedding, just our family and Cam’s. It surprises me since the two of them have such a big social media presence, that they wouldn’t want something grand and over the top. I don’t think Cameron is even wearing a real wedding dress. It’s going to be low-key, and I have to admit, I like it that way. “I’m really jazzed for what’s to come here.”
“For sure.” I push off the couch, and I realize I didn’t tell him something I know he’d want to know. “Oh, Emery drives my dream car.”
Benson hisses a breath. “No shit? She drives a Bugatti?”