Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 92422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
All the little clues that didn’t add up earlier now fall neatly into place, making me wonder why I didn’t piece it together sooner.
The guitar.
Her reluctance to talk about her family.
How stingy she was with details of her past.
The familiarity of her voice.
Her unwillingness to take photos at the restaurant with my parents.
Not to mention, lack of social media.
I’m such a fucking idiot.
I’ve spent the past four years protecting both myself and my heart so that I wouldn’t get played again, and that’s exactly what happened. Waves of anger crash over me until my vision is obscured by a thick red haze. It’s silently that I fume until her gaze collides with mine.
Only then do I raise my voice, making sure that everyone standing within a hundred-foot radius can hear what I’m about to say. “This might be a good time to tell your boyfriend that you already have a husband.”
Her mouth tumbles open as her eyes grow wider.
More people whip out their phones to snap pics.
“Colby.” My name comes out sounding as if it’s being choked from her body.
For the first time since I’ve found them together, the fucker next to her doesn’t look so damn smug.
Mission accomplished.
Her tongue darts out to moisten her lips. Instead of waiting for a response, I swing around and stalk inside the building, away from the growing circus.
Even though I still want to punch that guy in the face for daring to lay his hands on what’s mine, I restrain myself.
Only now do I realize that Britt doesn’t belong to me.
She never did.
33
BRITT
“Bebe! Are you really married to Colby McNichols?” a girl shouts.
More questions are yelled from the swelling crowd.
“What about Axel? Did you cheat on him?”
“Who are you in love with? Axel or Colby?”
“What about the show?”
“How was rehab?”
“When are you leaving for LA?”
The drone of voices buzzes in my ears until it’s tempting to slap my hands over them and squeeze my eyes tightly shut to blot everything out. Instead, I crane my neck and search the sea of onlookers for Colby. My heart twists beneath my breast when I don’t find him.
The hurt and confusion written across his face had been palpable.
I hate myself for causing him even a moment of heartache.
It was never my intention to hurt him, but that’s exactly what happened.
A pit settles at the bottom of my belly. I need to find him and explain why I kept my identity a secret. I should have tried harder last night to have a conversation. Maybe then everything wouldn’t be playing out the way it is.
My biggest fear is that he won’t listen to what I have to say.
Ignoring the questions hurled at me, I turn to Axel. “I can’t do this with you now. We’ll talk later.”
Before I can slip away, his grip tightens around my waist to keep me locked in place. “If you hadn’t run away and ignored my calls, none of this would be happening,” he mutters through gritted teeth just loud enough for me to hear. “Now smile for the cameras. It’s about time we were in front of them again.”
“Let me go,” I growl, shoving at his chest and pushing him back a few steps.
I don’t give a damn about the hundred cell phones that are poised to record every move we make. When his grip loosens, I bolt, cutting a path through the thick mob. People reach out, attempting to grab hold of me as they continue shouting questions at my retreating form. It’s enough to make me hyperventilate.
It's only after being away from the frenzied crowds for more than six months that it’s slammed home just how much I hate them. And how claustrophobic they make me feel.
With a shaking hand, I key in the code before slipping inside the lobby. The door slams closed behind me as people press against the glass, trying to fight their way in. It won’t be long before another resident grants them access, but it should buy me enough time to reach the apartment. Instead of waiting for the elevator, I race to the metal door and take the concrete stairs to the third floor. Once I arrive at the landing, I burst into the hallway and find several people milling around, talking to one another.
It's only when my hand rises that I realize I’m not wearing a ball cap. After Vegas, I became more complacent and felt more comfortable on campus without it.
“Something’s happening in the parking lot.”
“My friend just said that Bebe and Axel are outside,” a girl yells. “Let’s go!”
I duck my head and stare at the thin carpet as people race past, chattering excitedly.
This is a nightmare.
I pick up my pace, only wanting to reach the safety of my apartment before all hell breaks loose.
It’s a relief when I reach the door and slide the key in the lock before bursting inside. With a slam, I collapse against the thick wood. My knees feel more like jelly. It takes effort to keep myself upright. Ever since starting school in the fall, this was my biggest fear.