Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 113837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Drew walked down the aisle, then stopped at the end of the booth, hesitating. “Can I sit?”
“You haven’t slept, have you?” I could tell she hadn’t.
“No. The flight was shit.” She slid into the booth across from me, and took a deep breath like she was stealing herself.
“You gonna tell me how you knew where I was?” Though I had a really good idea...
Her lips twitched ever so slightly. “You’re not the only one who can use that app.”
“You aggravate the absolute shit out of me.”
“You’re the original stalker here, not me.”
“And you’re the biggest drama queen I’ve ever met.” I reached across the table, threading my fingers through hers. Such a simple touch should not have been able to provide that kind of relief.
“I was drunk!”
I lifted a brow. “When you left for France?”
She groaned. “Will you shut up? I came to tell you something, and you’re ruining it.”
I fought a smile and leaned back in the booth, waving my free hand across the table to give her the floor.
“Thank you.” She sucked in a breath. “I love you.”
And that made me feel like the richest motherfucker in the world. “I know, baby girl.” I smirked, just to be a dick. “But I’m not gonna cry about it.”
“You’re such a prick. I don’t even know why I like you, let alone love.”
I got up from the booth, sliding in beside her. “I told you, because you crave this kind of chaos.” I gripped her chin and slammed my lips to hers, kissing her like my life depended on it. “You do realize you’re a nightmare though?”
“Thought you didn’t want a princess?”
“Nah, I only want you.”
The girl had literally put me through hell since day one, but damn, was it worth it.
55
Drew
4 days later
I clasped Bellamy’s hand tightly in mine as we walked up the steps to my dad’s front porch.
My father opened the door, standing there in his usual immaculate suit, the lines of his face unreadable.
This was the price of my freedom this time.
My mother had paid for my ticket back and reinstated all my credit cards, she’d even agreed that she would pay my tuition for Alabama State, and the price? I had to agree to visit her three times a year, and this, dinner with my father. And that threw me for a loop.
I had no idea why she would try to rekindle our desecrated relationship.
“William.” Bellamy was the first to speak, probably because I was frozen and mute.
“Bellamy. Drucella.”
God, this was so awkward. I wanted to crawl into a deep hole in the ground.
“Come in,” he said, stepping to the side to allow us in.
This house felt so alien to me now, like another life that I’d watched on television rather than lived. My father showed us into the dining room with the enormous ten-seater mahogany table. A table that would never be filled.
For a second, I actually felt a trace of pity for the man. He lived in a self-made fortress of isolation with only his money for company. It was bitterly sad.
I took a seat across from Bellamy. My father remained standing at the head of the table, clutching the back of the chair. The two men could not have been any more different. My father was perfectly polished while Bellamy was wild and rough.
“You must be wondering why I invited you both here.”
“Well, I’m here because Irina told me I had to be,” I said. Outside of that, I wouldn’t give him a second of my time.
He nodded, the lines around his eyes sinking. “Yes, I’ve spoken at length with your mother, and she has shown me a few things.”
With that, he took an envelope from the inside of his jacket pocket and slid it across the polished table, but not to me. It stopped in front of Bellamy.
My dad cleared his throat, his attention aimed on my boyfriend. “I’ve thought long and hard about what you said the night you forced your way into my house.” His brows tugged together as he scowled at Bellamy who looked completely unfazed, as always.
What the hell was Dad talking about? When did Bellamy force his way in here--outside of the two times he broke in...
“And while I absolutely do not agree with your criminal history, I must believe, given the opportunity, you wouldn’t be involved in the activities you currently use to provide for yourself.” He swept a hand toward the letter.
Bellamy’s confused gaze met mine before he grabbed the envelope and opened it. “What in the…” He shook his head, then his dark eyes met mine. “It’s a scholarship. To Alabama State.”
I couldn’t help the little hiccup in my chest.
“I provide a scholarship every year.” Dad smoothed a hand down his tie, looking distinctly uncomfortable. “This year, I’d like to extend it to you, Bellamy. As a thank you for making me realize there are some things money can’t buy.”