Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 57240 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57240 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
“Sounds good. But you may not like what I have to say. I have a lot of pent up anger Nick.” She looked around as if making sure no one was within hearing distance before turning back to me.
“I know baby, and it’s okay we’ll get through it.” I had no doubts since there was no alternative. Before my future was a bit hazy. All I could see was the blood of my enemies and then maybe, having her back in my bed.
Now, after last night, there was no going back. I wanted it all, and was going to make damn sure I got it. She got my attention when she squeezed my hand and leaned in.
“I do have one burning question that I just have to ask though.” From the smirk on her face I knew it wasn’t too serious. “Okay, shoot.” She looked around again before turning back to me. “The tattoo, where and when did you get it?”
I wondered how long it would take her to bring that up. I didn’t answer straight away. It had been a while since I’d even thought of the ink on my chest, over my heart. It told a story all its own, one that had driven Dee nuts, because she didn’t need to be told what it meant.
“It’s you; I got it after I lost you. It was my own little constant reminder of what I’d lost. And the others you know.”
I didn’t have to explain the names I had inked on the inside of my upper arm. One had been there almost thirteen years, the other was much newer. Her name and my son’s.
She got a little sad when I told her. “Don’t look like that sweetbaby, it’s in the past; you’re here now.” She nodded her head but I could tell she was still a little choked up.
We hadn’t talked about my son, not that I didn’t want to, but I knew it was going to be a rough conversation. I know her well enough to know that she wouldn’t have blamed him in the least for what happened, but still he’d been part of my life, the life I’d had to shut her out of.
She nodded and we tabled it until later. I could almost feel the sting from the stares once I tuned back in.
The only one who approached our table was the waitress, but there was no doubt we were the topic on everyone’s lips as we enjoyed our lunch. If the way I kept looking at her wasn’t a dead giveaway that we were back together, then I’m sure the handholding and the proprietary hand I kept on her waist as we left sent the message loud and clear.
“I’ll pick you up end of shift and we’ll get your car.” This time, when I dropped her back at her office there was no secret to the kiss I gave her and it certainly wasn’t quick.
“Is that asshole Troy in there?” I looked up towards the windows the fronted the building, hoping the asshole was indeed up there watching.
“Cut it out Nick, Troy’s just a friend.” That’s what she thinks. “Was, he was a friend.” She rolled her eyes as she waved and walked away.
I never was too good about having other men around her and that didn’t seem to have changed either with time.
14
Shelly
“So, let me have it.” We’d just finished dinner, which I’d made in my new kitchen. I don’t think it had quite set in yet that this was real. That I was here with Nick Sheridan in the house we’d once dreamed of owning together.
I was already rearranging things in my head and throwing paint on the walls. It was typical Shelly and Nick. We’ve always been able to bounce back from whatever; until we weren’t.
Now here we are, and he was ready to talk. I’m not so sure that I am. We’d had a very pleasant evening so far, keeping things light as he watched me move around kitchen, while he made a salad. Who knows where this little tete a tete would lead.
He poured us both a glass of wine before reaching for my hand and leading me out onto the patio. Now that the time had come to lay it all out I found that I was nervous as hell.
I really didn’t want to rock the boat, didn’t want to lose the ease with which we were dealing with each other. Things had been going so well. We’d steered clear of any serious conversation over dinner, and I’d grown comfortable. Now I had to decide if I wanted to dredge all the old hurt up or let it die.
But if I did that, would it always be between us, will it haunt us for the rest of our lives? “I don’t know where to start. It’s been so long since I’ve let myself think about all that old business. I made myself move on, it was the only way I could cope.”