Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
He’s quiet for so long I lower my head and look at him. He’s the complete opposite to me. I’m tall, dark, and big. He’s blond and has blue eyes like his sister. Half the guys call him Hollywood because of his good looks. He’s looking at me, searching my face. “You’re living in fear, man. And that’s not the Davis Jones I know.”
“I’m not the same man, Zach. I haven’t been for a long time.”
“Bullshit. That’s bullshit, and you know it. Look at you, you’re still the same guy. You’re still the same person you’ve always been. You can’t let the past or your injuries hold you back. Plus, have you met my sister? When she loves someone, it’s forever. She’s not going to change her mind about you. But whatever this is, you can’t just push her away.” He sighs and shakes his head with a laugh. “For years, she’s told me she’s a grownup and can make her own decisions, but I’m just finally catching on. She’s right. This is a decision that only she can make. But you have to talk to her before you ruin both your lives.”
I let out a deep breath, but even doing so, it’s like there’s a pressure on my chest. I’ve felt it since I walked away from here a few days ago. I gesture with my head toward the house. “Abby and Alexis in there?”
“Abby is. I took Alexis over to Mom and Dad’s. I actually went looking for you at your apartment before coming back here.”
I grit my teeth together. “I need to talk to Abby.”
He grips my shoulder. “I know you do. I’m going to go over to Mom and Dad’s to get Alexis now, so I’ll try to give you guys some space.”
I start to move away from the truck, but Zach stops me. He moves in front of me and puts a hand to my chest. “Don’t hurt her, Davis. Not again.”
I choke back my emotions. I’ve been such a damn fool. I nod my head, and only after Zach searches my face does he seem satisfied. He lifts his hand from my chest, and I remember the dresses I brought for Alexis. I reach in my truck to grab the bag, and then I limp my way toward the house.
I knock on the door and stand back, hoping that Abby will talk to me. I won’t blame her if she refuses me.
When the door opens and I look at Abby, my stomach drops. I’ve never felt anything like this in my life, but in this moment, I hate myself. I hate what I’ve done to her. Her eyes are red, and even though they’re dry, it’s quite obvious she’s been crying. She’s looking at me as if she’s waiting for me to disappoint her and break her heart all over again. I soften my voice. “Abby, baby…”
Her eyes jump to mine, and she grips the side of the door a little tighter. “What do you want, Davis?”
I hold up the bag. “I brought these for Alexis. I promised her that I’d replace the dress I had to cut.”
She doesn’t reach for the bag. Instead, she crosses her arms over her chest. “She doesn’t care about the dress, Davis. She cares about you.”
I let my hand holding the bag fall and gesture toward the house with my head. “Can I come inside?”
She’s going to tell me no. I can see it clearly on her face that she doesn’t want to let me in. “Zach said Alexis is at your parents’. Can you and I talk for a minute?”
She surprises me when she takes a step back and holds her hand out for me to come in.
I walk past her, and my body brushes against hers. My reaction is instant. My heart rate picks up and my cock stiffens, but I try to tamp it down with my thoughts. I walk into the living room and set the bag on the coffee table. She follows behind me. I wait for her to sit down, and when she does, I sit on the couch next to her. She sits stiffly, with her back ramrod straight and her face pulled tight. Nothing like the Abby that I’m used to.
“When are you leaving?” she asks me.
I curl my hand into a fist, fighting myself from reaching for her. “I’m not sure if I’m leaving. That’s going to depend on you.”
She leans back. “Me?”
I nod. “If you can’t forgive me, I understand, Abby.”
She repeats my words. “Forgive you?”
I scoot closer to her. “I shouldn’t have walked away from you. I should have stayed and talked this out with you, told you how I was feeling.”
CHAPTER 24
ABBY
I jut my chin at him. I know the answer, but I want to hear him say it. “Why did you walk away?”