Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 69371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
“Are you going to be okay to come to work?” Shelby asks quietly after they stop talking for ten minutes. “You don’t have to because you were already scheduled off.”
“What am I going to do, sit at home and wallow?” I shake my head, putting it back down on the couch.
“Okay, so are we discussing what we are going to tell people?” Presley is the one to ask.
“I mean, we can always go with he didn’t satisfy you sexually.” Shelby winks at me.
“Or his dick was too small,” Presley adds. “Was his dick small?”
“His dick was fine,” I tell them, feeling numb. “I don’t know what I want to tell people.” I wipe away a tear that escapes. “I’m pissed because I’m not even sad. I’m just tired. I’m emotionally drained, yet I have to put a smile on my face and pretend that I’m the bad guy.”
“You are not the bad guy,” Shelby says.
“What the hell am I going to say? He cheated on me and had a child,” I say angrily.
“Well, it’s the truth.” Presley shrugs. “You aren’t lying.”
“I can’t do that to the child. If I say something, I’m a bitch, but if I don’t say something, I’m a selfish bitch for running out on my wedding day.” I look at both of them. “I need one of you to call Edward and tell him that if he doesn’t rein in his parents, I’m going to have no choice but to tell them the real reason I took off.”
“I’ll volunteer as tribute.” Presley holds up her hand as my phone beeps again, and I look down and see that it’s Luke.
“I know I should be the one to do it,” I admit, “but I’m just not ready to talk to him or see him yet. If I do see him, I won’t be able to hold myself together enough without wanting to physically assault him.” I get up now. “With that being said, I need a shower.”
“Oh my God, did he not have a shower?” Presley asks, putting a hand to her chest, and I laugh at her.
“He did,” I assure her, walking away but not turning around, just in case they can see in my eyes that we shared the water each and every time.
“Oh, Clarabella,” Presley says, and I look over at her. “We will be discussing this whole taking-off-with-Luke shit.”
“I don’t know what you mean. I walked out and had to escape. He was there.”
“Is that your story?” Shelby gets up, tilting her head to the side.
“That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.” I look at both of them, who share a look before they walk out the front door. I drag my ass up the stairs, going straight for the bathroom. I peel his shirt from my body and step into the shower.
When I get out, I slip on a pair of shorts and a matching tank top. My phone rings, and I see that it’s Luke. I look down at the phone, and I want to answer it, but I’m not going to lie, I’m scared of what he is going to tell me. The minute the phone rings, the phone pings, and I see it’s a text from Edward, so I turn my phone down on the counter. When a soft knock comes from the door, my whole body goes tense. I walk through the house, tippy-toeing to the front door. I look out the peephole and see Luke there, so I turn the lock and open the door. He’s wearing a white T-shirt with dark blue jeans. His hair looks like he just got out of the shower and ran his fingers through it. His scruff is untouched from this morning.
He stands there in the middle of the porch, and my heart goes to my throat. His blue eyes light up when he sees me. “Hi,” I mumble. “What are you doing here?”
“Figured you wouldn’t make yourself something to eat.” He holds up the brown takeout bag. “And then I brought this just in case.” He holds up a bottle of scotch, and I can’t help but laugh. “I called you,” he says, and I can tell he’s nervous. “But you didn’t answer me, and I don’t know why but I decided to just show up.”
“You took a hell of a gamble,” I reply, leaning on the doorjamb. I’m not even going to justify the way my heart is racing or the fact that I can’t help the smile on my face. I also am not justifying that this is exactly what I needed after today.
“I’m a gambling man.” He smirks at me, and my stomach fucking flutters. “May I enter?”
“I don’t know.” I fold my arms over my chest. “Depends on what’s in the bag.” I point at the paper bag. “And if it will taste just as good reheated?” He takes two steps in, kicking the door closed behind him before turning me and pushing me against the door.