Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 70092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
"Sorry." I smile at her. “I was just seeing if you were okay." The echoing of my heart beating is now filling my ears. My stomach feels like it's moving to my throat. “I didn't text you today." My head is yelling at me to shut the fuck up, but my mouth is deciding that today is a good day to have word vomit. “I know I usually text you, but I figured since we would be here, it would be better to ask you in person." I was also wondering if you wanted to sit down and talk, I want to add, but I don't.
"The baby is fine," she says, looking at me, and I can see that her walls are up. Her eyes are giving me nothing, but they look a little red.
"Okay, that is good to know," I say, putting my hands in my pockets before I do something stupid like wrap my arm around her waist and kiss her just like I've been dreaming about for the past fucking month. "But I was asking if you are okay?"
"I'm totally okay." She swallows. “You should get back to your date."
I just stare at her as I let her words replay in my head twice. “Not that it's any of your business." My heart breaks saying that because I want it to be her business. I want her to fucking care. “But she's just a friend." I turn and walk away before I say something I will regret.
I grab a couple of water bottles and walk out of the house. I look around for Clarissa but see that she's talking to Harlow's cousins. I walk over to one of the chairs at the far side where no one is at and sit down. I put my head back and close my eyes as I exhale. “What are you doing, hiding out?" I hear Travis and look up to see him walking toward me.
"No," I deny, shaking my head. “Just…" I put the water bottles down by my feet and then lean my elbows on my knees. “It's just fucking…" I can't even say the words. They all get stuck in my throat. "I'm dying inside," I finally say to him, and I really fucking wish that I wasn't here right now. “Every fucking day, I expect my feelings for Presley to get weaker, but then I see her, and it's just so much stronger." The tightness in my chest makes it even harder for me to breathe.
"I don't know what to say," he says softly, and I look over at him. “I wish I had the answer for you."
"Well, well, well," I hear and look over and see Clarabella and Shelby coming our way. “What are you two doing?" Shelby asks.
"Just enjoying the party." Travis covers for me as the two of them now stand in front of me.
"I have to say.” Clarabella glares at me. “Took balls to bring a date today."
"A date?" I say again, confused. “She's not my date." I shake my head. “We went to school together. She's my co-worker from out of town. She was supposed to go back home to her husband yesterday, but that changed." I look at both of them as they stare at me with their mouths hanging open now. “We are finalizing the merger tomorrow, so she stayed, and instead of leaving her all alone in a hotel room, I invited her here."
"So you're not dating her?" Shelby asks just for clarification, and I can't help but stare at her dumbfounded.
"Did you miss the point where she is going back home to her husband?" I glare at her. “Why the hell would I bring a fucking date here?" I throw my hands up in frustration.
"Well, I don't know." Clarabella rolls her eyes. “Maybe because you can," she huffs. “Maybe to make Presley see that you've moved on."
"Yeah, moved on," I say sarcastically. “I've moved on in what, a month."
"What the hell were we supposed to think?" Shelby shrieks. “You show up with a woman. We assume that this is a date."
"So you guys think, not only am I dating after being in love with your sister for—I don't know—almost my whole life, that I'm going to bring her here to your family's party." I glare at both of them. “Wow."
"I want to go on the record as saying I knew he wouldn't do it," Travis cuts in, and I side-eye him.
"I would never do that to her," I say softly.
"She just…” Shelby says softly. “She’s working it out."
"But is she?” I ask, getting up. “Because she seems to be fine."
"She just needs space,” Clarabella explains, and I snap. “She cares for you."
"Oh, goody," I say, clapping my hands. “She cares for me. Just what I wanted to hear."
"Okay, maybe that wasn't the right word to use," Shelby hisses, looking at Clarabella.