Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“Oh, Jase!” My arms wrap around his neck for a hug. “I’m so sorry.”
“You remind me of her,” Jase murmurs into my ear. “I saw that quote captioned under an image at an art gallery I visited once with my sister. I can’t remember who said it, but the words always stuck with me. I don’t doubt one day you will conquer the world, Dimples.” He backs up and shoots me a playful wink to lighten the mood, but my heart is still with Jase’s mom and her chaotic, beautiful soul.
“Where’s your dad now?” I ask. He obviously accepted Quinn as his sister even though she has a different mom.
“He died of a heart attack when I was thirteen.” Jase doesn’t sound the least bit sad when he tells me this. “Quinn’s mom thought she would get his life insurance, but it came out that he wasn’t really married to her either. He was married to another woman, Tricia, and had two other kids with her. He had left her several years back but never got a divorce. She got everything in his will, leaving Quinn’s mom broke. She lost her shit, and the minute Jax turned eighteen, he got a job and moved out. He petitioned the court and got custody of Quinn. I was already almost eighteen, so the judge approved for me to become emancipated.”
“Wow,” I say in awe of how well they handled everything.
“Yeah, talk about some crazy 60 Minutes meets Jerry Springer shit.” Jase laughs humorlessly. “My dad was a fucking liar, and his lies destroyed not one but two women who loved him.” He shakes his head with disgust. “I hope he’s rotting in hell.” His words hit me like a brick to a glass house. Jase’s hard limit is lying, and I’ve lied to him several times since we met. No, I didn’t actually say the words, but I might as well have. I should tell him the truth now. What do I have to lose? But if I walk away with things the way they are now, he won’t think of me the way he thinks about his father. As a liar.
My eyes dart to his phone, the screen is still showing the fake tattoo he drew on me. “Can you send me that picture?” I ask. It’s the only thing I will have left of our night together once I walk away.
“Sure.” He grins. I give him my email address since my phone is one of those crappy prepaid ones, and he sends it over.
We walk out of his room and find Jax cooking in the kitchen with Quinn sitting on a stool watching him. “Morning,” Jase announces. Jax and Quinn both glance our way. Quinn grants me a soft smile, and Jax waves the spatula in the air.
“Morning,” they both say in unison.
“You hungry?” Jax asks.
“Starving!” I admit before I can stop myself. Jase is probably ready to send me packing, and I’m over here practically begging to stay and eat.
“Well, have a seat.” Jax points to the empty stools.
“Oh, umm…I think Jase was about to take me home.” I avoid looking at anyone in the room, instead choosing to focus on the pancake batter that’s bubbling in the pan. It’s embarrassing enough having to do the walk of shame…
The contrast between the coolness of Jase’s lips on my ear, and his warm body pressed up against mine, sends a visible shiver straight down my spine. He must notice because he chuckles softly before he says, “You aren’t going anywhere, Dimples. Sit.” I do as he says, while trying to school my excitement over his somewhat public display of affection and sweet yet commanding words, but a grin stretches across my lips anyway.
Quinn laughs. “Such a gentleman,” she jokes.
“Hush your mouth,” Jase volleys back.
Jax serves us each a stack of delicious-smelling pancakes and eggs then has a seat as well.
“What’s everyone up to today?” Quinn asks.
“I have a guy coming into the shop to get more of his sleeve done,” Jax says.
“What about you guys?” Quinn turns her attention to Jase and me.
“Not sure yet,” Jase answers her. The hand he’s not using to eat squeezes my thigh. I assumed Jase was going to bring me home, yet he told me I’m not going anywhere. Did he just mean to stay for breakfast? We haven’t discussed what happened between us last night, and for all I know this was just a one-night thing to him. At least that’s what I keep telling myself when I justify why I haven’t told him the truth about my age and where I go to school. Maybe he just plans to fill my belly with food before he sends me on my way.
“I’m heading to the beach to take pictures,” Quinn says. “I have my final photography project due next week.”