Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 155798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 779(@200wpm)___ 623(@250wpm)___ 519(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 779(@200wpm)___ 623(@250wpm)___ 519(@300wpm)
My head was ringing. “They didn’t find out because those seventy acres are private property. They can’t get close to the house, much less close enough to see the guesthouse, which again, is camouflaged so no one would look twice at it.”
“Except some real fuck who doesn’t give a shit about trespassing if he’s there to murder you.”
I winced again. “Just because you’re surrounded by other houses doesn’t mean your place is safer.”
“I’m in a gated community inside another gated community. And we have a security car that patrols the area.”
“Oh.” Well. “I’ve been safe so far.”
He smothered a curse.
The throb in my head was going to turn into a migraine soon. I knew the progression, knew the red flags. “Just take me home.”
He growled. “I still need to know where to drive you.”
I told him, and we made the short drive in silence. Lo and Roger bypassed us on the road just before we got to the driveway. The main house was dark, which was a relief right now. I didn’t want to talk to anyone, much less field questions about Brett, who I wasn’t happy with.
He parked behind the house.
“Thank you for the drive.” I started to open the door, intending to slide out and run inside to my home, which had made me feel safe for the last decade.
“Wait.” He touched my arm lightly. His tone had gentled, and I heard a twinge of regret. “I’m sorry. I—this is fast for me too.”
I didn’t let go of the door handle, but I didn’t slip out either.
“The thought of you out here, and now knowing there are sick fucks who’d like to find you, it’s making me a little nuts.”
I looked back at him. “A little?”
He gave me a slight grin before grimacing. “I get protective of people I care about.”
People he cares about… He cared about me.
The throbbing headache lifted. The warmth came back, soothing it, spreading inside me. I focused on his lips, letting go of the door handle. “I’m sorry I got snippy.”
He shook his head, his eyes going to my mouth. “We’re just getting to know each other. This is going to happen.” His eyes lifted to mine, and the somber look there struck me deep, closing my throat for a second. “I’m not going to push my luck, especially because the light just turned on outside the main house, and I’m pretty sure your Howard has a rifle in his hand inside the door, but I’ll call you tomorrow?”
“Or I’ll call you.”
He flashed me a smile, making me feel all sorts of wonderful things. “Even better.”
“’Night.”
He nodded. “’Night. And fair warning, I’m not leaving until you’re inside your place.”
“Okay,” I whispered.
I slid out, shutting the door and holding my hand up to Howard before heading to my place. Once there, I peeked back and saw that Howard had turned their outdoor light off, but Brett was still watching. I gave him a small wave before going inside and locking the door.
He drove off after that.
I got ready for bed, my insides all twisted up with different emotions, good and bad. When I laid in bed, my headache was gone, and I held onto my phone, just knowing…
Twenty minutes later, it buzzed.
Brett: You’re still safe?
I knew he was going to text.
Me: I am. You got back okay?
Brett: I did. I’ll call you tomorrow. I’d love to get together? Maybe eat something?
Me: I’d like that. Have a good day with the team tomorrow. Night.
Brett: Night.
15
BILLIE
We hadn’t kissed Friday night.
We couldn’t, not with Howard on the other side of the door and after our little tiff.
I’d had a tiff. With Brett Broudou.
Because I was someone he cares about.
I was still trying to wrap my head around that as we got ready to watch the game. Lo, Roger, and the girls had come over for lunch after church, and since the game was at three, they stayed. The girls had a gymnastics competition all day yesterday, so Lo hadn’t been over demanding answers, but I knew my time was up. I’d been glad to keep those details for myself, at least for a little while.
Once she grilled me, it wasn’t just my secret or my new thing with Brett. It became Lo’s business. And she loved me. I knew she did. She only wanted good things for me, but I’d enjoyed having a day without the pressure.
Brett and I hadn’t been able to get together yesterday, but once he was at the hotel with the rest of the team, he’d called from his room and we talked for two hours.
Two hours.
It’d been so long since I was on the phone with someone for two hours, particularly a romantic interest. Thirty minutes was the most Daniel and I had ever talked when we dated. We were not phone people, or even really talk people. I knew about Daniel’s job, his family, his shows, and that was it.