Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 311(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 311(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
“She one-hundred-precent likes you,” she says. “No woman would put up with a man she didn't like just for good views. Even if she is a social media manager, she’s still human. And especially not for four months. Plus, as annoying as you can be, you're a really good guy most of the time. Who wouldn't like you?”
I laugh. “I don't know, women who know my dating history and my public persona? Women who think I see them as interchangeable?”
“Reese may have believed those rumors in the beginning,” Hadley says. “But I highly doubt she still believes them. Especially since you guys are practically inseparable whenever you get a spare moment to be together. You know one way you could find out?”
“Talk to her?” I ask in a mocking tone.
“Yep,” she says. “That’s the best way to figure things out.”
“I know,” I say. “But we have such a good thing going. I really don't want to mess it up. Plus, how pathetic would I look if I pour my heart out to her, something I never do, and then she tells me she was just in it for the views? And quite possibly other benefits?”
“First, eww,” she says, scrunching up her face like she’s bitten into something rotten.
“Second, Reese is a really good person. She doesn't seem like the type to just be doing this for her career, despite the fact that you guys set it up that way. Again, you're never going to know unless you ask her.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I say. “I'll get to it.”
Hadley sighs. “She has my vote,” she says. “Not that it matters. But I also think you need to start shifting that mindset to think a little bit more about what you really want. It's time you start focusing on yourself. You absolutely deserve it.”
“Your vote does matter,” I say. “And thanks, sis. I'm sure you're just saying all of this because I'm paying for your breakfast,” I say, trying my best to get back to lighter ground.
Hadley rolls her eyes. “Why do you think I agreed to meet up with you in the first place?”
I smile at her, my chest feeling a little lighter. I’m pretty sure I have the best sister on the planet.
We finish up breakfast, and I give her a hug outside of the restaurant before we part ways, her going back to campus and me heading toward my car.
“Yo, Stokehill,” I hear a familiar voice call my name.
I pause just outside of my car, noticing Liam and his buddies heading over to me.
“What's up?” I ask when they reach me.
“I wanted to ask you something,” one of Liam’s buddies, Darrell, says to me. I cock a brow at him, waiting. “I just saw that video of you and Reese last night,” he says. “At the club?”
I shift my weight, my hackles rising slightly at the mention of Reese.
Relax, I tell myself. Jealousy is not necessary with these guys.
“And?”
“I'm wondering if the two of you are serious? Or if it's all just to keep getting attention for the page?”
A laugh rips from my lips, the idea of him ever having a shot with Reese downright amusing. Hell, I don't even know how I ended up lucky enough to be able to be with her, but this guy? I've seen him get slapped by more girls than anyone else I've ever seen before.
I reel in my laughter, sucking in a deep breath. “Sorry,” I say. “I didn't realize you were being serious. But, my relationship with her is really none of your business.”
“Oh, so it's like that?” he asks, a little bitterness coating his once casual tone.
“Pretty much,” I say, giving him a shrug. Every instinct in my body is roaring to lay claim to her. To say she belongs to me as much as I announced at the bowling alley that I belonged to her. But she's never said the words herself, so I don't feel like I have a right to do that.
Hadley is right, we really need to have this discussion.
“I know she helped you get some endorsement deals,” Darrell continues. “I'm hoping maybe she can help me the same way she's helping you.”
I don't miss the way he shapes the words, somehow something so innocent sounding downright inappropriate, but I don't dignify it with the response that he's clearly wanting. A reaction that will get him five minutes of fame, earning a punch from the wild Nash Stokehill of the Bangor Badgers.
“Yeah,” I say. “Maybe she can. Good luck with that,” I say before getting into my car and driving off without saying goodbye.
I'm not usually such a dick, but that trio really gets under my skin. They talk shit about Coach behind his back, not to mention they have a complete lack of respect whenever the team goes out.