Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
She peeks around the wall at the end of the hallway before she comes into view. She looks surprised as she comes walking toward me. I take her in from head to toe. Her hair is in a ponytail that swings side to side as she walks to me. She’s beautiful in her tight jeans and tucked-in T-shirt. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t attracted to her. “Hey, Rhett. What’s up? Does Elliott need something?”
I’m watching her closely. Her cheeks are a ruddy pink, and her breath is hitched. How have I missed that? “No, he’s gone.”
She stumbles a little on her feet, and I reach out for her, wrapping my hands around her waist. She grunts as she falls, and I pull her against my chest. I hold her a little too long before I help her get steady on her feet and let go. My hands go to my sides, and I keep watching her.
Her cheeks are bright pink, her breathing has picked up, and she’s crossed her arms over her breasts. She takes a few steps backward. “Thanks, uh, I’m such a klutz. So uh, did you need something?”
I clear my throat. “Where is the party tonight?”
Her eyes widen. “Rhett, really, you don’t have to go.”
I grunt, “I want to.”
She laughs. “I don’t believe that for a minute. You are definitely not the type to hang out at bars.”
I shrug. “I’m going, but I need to know where I’m going.”
She throws her hand up. “Do you have any idea how embarrassing this is? I’m thirty years old, and my brother thinks I need a babysitter.”
I walk over to the counter and grip the side of it. “No, he doesn’t. He’s just worried about you… we both are.”
Her eyes flare to mine. “You’re worried about me?”
I gulp. There’s no way I would ever lie to her. “Yes, I am. I don’t trust Wes, and I’m not willing to just stand by and leave you unprotected—”
She holds her hands up. “He’s never hit me.”
I don’t even recognize my voice. “I’d kill him if he did.”
Her eyes widen. “He’s just an ass. I can handle him.”
I plant my feet and match her stance, crossing my arms over my chest. “You don’t have to. You go tonight and have a good time. I’ll be somewhere in the corner, and I’ll stay out of your way.”
She tilts her head to the side. “You know, this could all be for nothing. Wes may not even be there.”
I shrug. “So I get a night out, no big deal.”
She’s not buying it. “And you want a night out?”
A night out where I get to watch you laugh and have a good time? Absolutely. I think it, but I don’t say it. Instead, I tell her, “Yes, I could use one.”
She looks at me with pity, and I know what she’s thinking. It’s been ten years since my wife died, but I still get the same look of pity from people. Instead of dwelling on it, I ask, “What time do you want me to pick you up?”
She gasps. “You’re not driving me.”
I shrug. “Why not? We’re going to the same place.”
She shakes her head, and I know what she’s doing. She’s thinking I’m going to give in and just let things go, but I’m not. There’s no way I’m going to just stay at home and wonder if she’s okay or not. I give her the look. The one that tells her I’m not backing down… not on this.
She finally gives in. “Okay… I have to be at the Main Street Lounge at eight.”
I nod, ignoring the fact I’m usually about to go to bed about that time. “Okay, I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty.”
I turn on my heel and almost make it out the door before Maddie calls my name. “Rhett.”
I stop and turn. “Yeah?”
She’s followed me and is standing right next to me. She reaches out, putting her hand on my arm. I look down at where she’s touching me, and she jerks her hand back. She bites her lip, and it takes everything in me not to reach out and soothe her puffy lip with my thumb. She’s watching me, and all I can do is stare back at her. “Yeah, Maddie… what were you going to say?”
The sound of her name on my lips has her eyes widening even more, and she sucks in a breath. “I, uh, was going to say, uh, thank you. I mean, I know you’re doing this for Elliott, but I just wanted to say thank you.” The more she rambles, the pinker her cheeks get. “Uh, it’s nice to know that I have someone… I mean besides Elliott… that you have my back.”
Don’t touch her. Don’t touch her. I’m telling myself that, over and over, but it doesn’t stop me. I reach out and cup her chin in my hand. “I’m doing this for you, Maddie, and I’ll always have your back.”