Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
With annoyance filling my belly, I walk out onto the porch and cross my arms over my chest, glaring at him when he gets out of the car, and I keep glaring as he approaches the house. There was a time I thought he was handsome, and I’m sure there are lots of women who still think he is, with his dark hair, sharp jaw, whisky-colored eyes, and runner’s physique, only I know it’s all pretend. He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a man searching for happiness, not understanding that it can’t be purchased.
“What are you doing here?” I don’t even attempt to disguise the contempt in my tone.
“I told you we need to talk, Aria.”
“And I told you we don’t.” I hold my place at the top of the stairs. Not only do I not want to see or talk to him; I really don’t want him in my space, the house I chose, the home I’ve fallen in love with Tide in.
“We used to be friends.”
“We weren’t.” I shake my head. “We were never friends, and that was part of the problem. Most couples enjoy each other’s company, but most of the time, we were doing everything to just stay out of each other’s way.”
Tucking his hands into his pockets, he takes a step closer, and I drop my eyes to his feet and narrow them when it looks like he’s going to step up onto one of the stairs. Stopping, he clears his throat. “I want to be your friend.”
“I’m topped up on friends, so I’m going to have to pass,” I say, realizing I’m speaking the truth. For the first time in forever, I have real friends, friends who are there for me just because they want to be, not because they think there is something I can do for them or give to them.
“Aria.”
“Just say what you want to say, Josh, and leave.”
“I want you back.” He jerks his hand out of his pocket to run his fingers through his hair. “Fuck, Aria, I miss you. I love you.” Looking into his eyes, I feel nothing—nothing but annoyance, because he’s full of it. He doesn’t miss me. He doesn’t love me. I doubt he even knows what love is.
“You need to leave.”
“If you think I’m worried about what you’ve been doing with the guy you’re seeing, I get it. It’s okay; I don’t care about him. We can work past that situation,” he says, and I start to laugh. I can’t help it. It’s hilarious that he thinks I would ever be with him again, that he thinks he holds a candle to Tide. “I’m serious.”
“Right.” I wipe the wetness from under my eyes as my laughter dies down. “No, thank you.”
“What?” His brows drag together.
“No, thank you. I’m not interested.” I turn to head back inside, then hear his feet hit my steps, and I spin to face him, shocked by how close he is. I open my mouth to ask him what he thinks he’s doing and don’t even have a chance to prepare for his arms wrapping around me and his mouth crashing into mine. I shove at his chest, trying to get away, but he’s stronger than me, and when he tries to shove his tongue in my mouth, I lift my knee to connect with his nuts, but end up jumping when a horn honks and chunks of dirt clink against the side of the house.
With him just as dismayed as I am, he lets me go, and I smack him without thinking, then curse myself, because my hand stings. I’m pretty sure I just hurt myself by hitting his stupid face.
“Gonna give you to the count of two to get your ass off that porch and in that car, because if I get my hands on you, I’m beating the shit out of you,” Tide growls, and I watch with wide eyes as he storms up the steps, looking ready to explode.
“Tide—”
“Don’t.” He points at me, and I snap my mouth shut, then look at Josh, hoping he’s smart enough to leave, because I don’t relish the idea of cleaning up blood or them breaking something that Tide will latter have to fix.
“We were just talking.” Josh holds up his hands, walking backward, and Tide prowls right for him. Smartly, Josh reads the threat for what it is—a giant predator heading his way—and puts his hands on the railing of the deck and flips himself over the side as Tide lunges. When I hear him land in the thorny bushes that line the deck, I stand on my tiptoes and press my lips together to keep from laughing, watching him yell about being poked while he dances around.
“Get in your car,” Tide clips, obviously not finding the situation as funny as I do. Josh flips him off, then his eyes fill with horror when Tide jumps over the rail. Unlike Josh, he doesn’t land in the bushes. He lands on his feet in a squat like some kind of superhero dressed like a construction worker, in his boots, jeans, and thermal. When he stands, Josh runs so fast for the car that he trips over his own feet, barely catching himself before he hits the ground.