Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
I try to ignore him because I don’t even know how you respond to that, but he doesn’t give up. “Hey Tara, what do you think? What should I tell Grant?”
I finally look at him. “Hell would freeze over before I would ever go back to him.”
I barely get the words out, and he is pulled out of his chair. I gasp as I see Cruz holding him up like he weighs nothing, “Hey buddy, I think you’ve had a little too much to drink. Find somewhere else to sit.”
A few of the groomsmen grab their friend, pulling him away and apologizing to Cruz and me. When Cruz sits back down, his hand goes to my thigh, and he leans toward me. “Hell would have to freeze over, huh?”
I nod as his fingers grip my thigh. “Yes,” I practically moan.
“That’s good,” he announces.
Breathless, I ask him, “Why is that good?”
He leans over and whispers, “Because I don’t share.”
I look around the table, and all eyes are on us, but I don’t think they can hear Cruz. Why is he saying he doesn’t share? Is this fake? Is this real? The back and forth and up and down is driving me crazy, and I don’t know where to go from here.
Dinner is served, and while we eat, Cruz keeps his hand on my leg.
I start to relax the longer we sit here. Cruz is attentive, and no matter how many people come over to talk to him, he never leaves my side.
When I need another drink, he has someone bring them to us. He takes pictures with people, and by the end of the night, everyone has fallen in love with him. Well, everyone except for my mom, Grant, and Brynn.
“How you holding up, pumpkin?”
I look up at my dad and try not to tense up. I’ve always felt bad for him. He’s a nice man, but he has no backbone. My mom has bossed him around my whole life, and he never stands up to her.
“We’re doing good, Dad. I guess I should formally introduce you. Dad, this is Cruz Payne. Cruz, this is my father, Danny Brooks.”
They shake hands and start talking about the playoff win from the other night and Cruz’s announcement about retirement. “So what are your plans after football?”
Cruz sits a little taller. “Well, I had a few endorsement deals come in, and I signed a seven-figure deal on my book.”
“You did?” I gasp. “You didn’t tell me.”
He strokes his thumb across mine. “I know, I’m sorry. It all happened earlier, and you’ve had your own things—”
I put my hand over my chest. “Oh Cruz, no! We should celebrate. Have you told Lexi? She would be so excited.”
His cheeks turn ruddy, and even though it’s obvious he’s excited, he’s embarrassed about the attention. His face goes from joyous one minute to defensive in an instant.
“Hey, Tara.”
I turn in my seat, and Ben, Grant’s brother, has pulled out the chair next to me, turned it around, and straddled it.
I lean toward him. “Ben, hey. I’m so glad you made it.”
He nods and looks around the room. “Yeah, it’s really not my scene, and Mom and Dad would rather I not come, but I couldn’t miss my brother’s first wedding, now could I?”
We both laugh and then I put my hand on Cruz’s arm. “Cruz, this is Ben, the good brother.”
Ben is a bigger guy, probably as big as Cruz. He’s got scruff on his chin, and even though they’re covered right now, I know he has tattoos up and down his arms. Ben holds his hand out to Cruz, and for just a second I think that he’s going to refuse him, but I squeeze his arm, and he shakes hands with Ben.
When they release each other, Ben leans toward me. “This is a shit show, right?”
I nod. “Yes, it is.”
He picks his beer bottle off the table and points it at me. “You holding up okay?”
I shrug. “Ready for this to be over.”
He nods and takes a swig of his drink. “Ain’t that the fuckin’ truth.”
He gestures between Cruz and me. “You two dating?”
Without looking at Cruz, I nod my head and answer shortly, not trusting myself to say more. “Yep.”
Ben smiles. “Good.” He looks at Cruz. “Watch her back. I don’t trust my brother. He’s ready to blow this all up.”
I point at myself. “I can take—”
Before I can get it all out, Cruz interrupts. “I’ll take care of it.”
Ben nods, and when he stands up, so does Cruz. This time, Cruz sticks his hand out. “Thanks for the heads up.”
When they release their hold, Ben looks at me. “Lexi coming to the wedding?”
I practically snort. “Nope, she wants nothing to do with Brynn or your brother. She’d probably stab one of them with a flower pick if she did.”