Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
“Good luck with that,” I tell him as he walks away.
“I’m going to find your father,” my mother says as if she knows I want to be alone with Ryleigh. “Just to make sure he doesn’t want in on that big talk.” She puts her hand on my arm. “You take care of Ryleigh.”
“Oh, I will,” I assure her as she walks away, then I turn back to the woman of my dreams. “I’ll try at least,” I mumble. She tilts her head to the side, and I see that she’s tipsy. “You look gorgeous, by the way.” My hand reaches out for her hip, seeing the lace ruffles up close.
“Thank you,” she says, trying not to look at me. She looks off to the side as she finishes her glass of champagne.
“I’ve been thinking about you,” I tell her honestly, and her eyebrows shoot up. “In fact, I can’t get you off my mind.”
“The last time I saw you was six months ago.” She holds the top of the empty champagne glass by her fingertips, letting it swing back and forth. “A lot can change in six months.”
“So you’ve been thinking about me also, then?” I put my hands in my pockets before I drag her to one of the bedrooms upstairs and mess her up.
“All day, every day,” she states, “and twice on Sunday. I’ve sat in my office and doodled your name and hearts ever since.”
I can’t help but laugh at her joke. “So you’ve thought about going out with me?”
“Yes, I’ve thought of nothing else to be honest and…” She nods her head. “I’ve decided that it’s going to happen when donkeys help pigs fly.”
“So soon, then?” I ignore what she just said, taking one hand out of my pocket and putting it on the side of her neck, my thumb rubbing the vein where I can feel her heart beating.
“Oh, yeah, so soon.” Her eyes stare into mine as she licks her lips, and it would take nothing to bend my head and slip my tongue into her mouth.
But it’s not the time and place. Today is about Gabriella. But one thing I know, I’m not waiting another six months. “Okay, good. I’ll call you,” I say as I bend and kiss the corner of her lips before walking away.
CHAPTER FOUR
ryleigh
The knocking makes me open my eyes, but it’s the biggest mistake I have ever made. The room is as bright as if someone is standing there with a spotlight straight in my face, and I’m sure everything spins. “Are you decent?” I hear my mother’s voice as the door opens. I plan on answering her, but a slew of cotton balls sits on my tongue, and all I can do is groan. “Well, now.” I hear her voice coming a bit closer. “Why is every single light in the room on?” I don’t know what she does, but I can feel the room go from bright to dark. “Oh my God, are you still in your dress?”
“Mom.” I try to swallow. “I have something in my mouth.” My mother comes over to my bed and the side of the bed dips down.
“I brought you water,” she says, and I open my eyes. In my head, I’m moving, but in reality, I’m still lying on my stomach. The only thing moving are my eyelids.
“Can you pour it in my mouth?” I ask her and she just laughs as I open my mouth, but lying on my side.
She puts the glass of water down on the side table. “Do you want me to help you turn over?”
“No.” I nod yes. “I think I can do it.”
“You want another shot?” She winks at me and all I can do is glare at her, or in my head I’m glaring at her. In reality, one eye is closed.
“Why do you hate me?” I moan as I try to get up on my elbows, but I slip and then fall back down, face-first into the pillow. I take a deep inhale before I turn on my side. “My head is…” I try to think of the word but nothing comes to my mind because all I can do is hear a buzzing sound.
“I have this for you also.” She holds up the bottle of ibuprofen for me.
“You love me.” I open and close my mouth, trying to swallow down the little pieces of sand I think are in my mouth.
I scoot my butt back until I sit with my back against the headboard, and only then do I reach out to grab the water. She opens the bottle and hands me two pills, and before I put them in my mouth, I take a sip of water. “It tastes like tequila.” My face scrunches up. “I don’t want this.” I hand the glass back to my mother and then start to rub my tongue to get the taste off it.