Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 31173 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 156(@200wpm)___ 125(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31173 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 156(@200wpm)___ 125(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
I mean, I know I have my father and brother, but Dad is now madly in love, and I want that for him. Asher avoids the family home as much as he possibly can. I keep busy so they don’t worry over me, but somehow for being a person with a million friends and being involved in every school club and function actually possible, I’ve never been lonelier.
Even now I’m on a dance floor outside by the pool, the party is in full swing with people surrounding me, and there is still an emptiness inside of me that I can never fill. I know everyone here. I bet most, if not all, would call me a friend, but do any of them really know me?
The music changes to a softer song. I close my eyes and let my body sway. I couldn’t get Molly into the pool or on the dance floor. I think when I mentioned dancing, she made up using the bathroom as an escape. She’s mostly kept to herself since she came to Bradford Prep for her senior year. I don’t think she had the time to really form bonds, or maybe it’s more she didn’t want to make friends.
“Emily!” My eyes fly open at the sound of my brother's voice. I spin around to see him standing there with a pissed-off expression on his face.
“What?” I notice Chase standing behind him. If I thought my brother's face looked pissed, then Chase’s is livid. Why are either of them here?
“Where is Molly?” Asher growls.
“She went to the bathroom.” I point up the stone walkway to the house that leads to the bottom level where part of the party has moved.
“Are you drunk?” Chase asks with an odd tone to his voice.
“Seriously?” my brother grits out.
“Go get Molly. I’ve got Emily,” Chase tells Asher, who is already taking off in the direction that Molly went.
“Got me? No, I don’t think so. But you could get me another drink.” I smirk.
“You’re in a bikini.” Chase points out the obvious.
“Yeah, it’s a pool party. How is it you run a billion-dollar company?” He ignores my jab.
“This your shit?” He points to a lounge chair. He doesn’t wait for a response before he’s grabbing up all my crap.
“The hell?! I’m not going anywhere. I’m dancing.”
“You motherfucker. Back up three feet.” He glares at someone over my shoulder. I glance to see Kevin standing there. He backs up five feet.
“I’m still staying,” I fire back. Why does he give a shit who is dancing with me? I’m a single girl.
“Fine.” He sits down on the lounge chair and stares at me. Tonight, he’s dressed down in jeans and a simple black shirt. You never know what you might get with him. Sometimes he’ll be coming from a job site and be covered in dirt with ripped jeans and boots, and others he’ll be in a custom suit.
Either way, he always looks hot as hell. Not only that, he’s charming. At least he’s the charming one between him and my brother, which I suppose isn’t too hard. While Asher avoids small talk, Chase will engage with people.
“Is that Chase Silverstein?”
“Oh my God, it is.” I roll my eyes as four girls start to surround him. Here we go. I brace myself for what I know is going to be them flirting and throwing themselves at him.
Of course, they know who he is. The Silverstein family is well known at Bradford Prep. They put in a new library for the school three years ago, and then they built a whole extra gym that was supplied with a ton of mats and equipment.
That was nice because it gave us a place to practice for cheerleading. A lot of times we’d have to find random spots, and they weren't always safe, such as the grassed-off part of the courtyard. The school might be called Bradford Prep, but the Silverstein family name is mounted on plaques throughout it.
As I watch the girls descend upon him, I change my mind. I think it might be time to leave. What might be worse than hearing Chase tell me that I was too young for him would be to see him actually show interest in someone who is my age. Then I’d know he was full of shit. Not that I don’t think he is, but more full of it.
“Can I have my bag?” I wiggle through the circle of girls that have surrounded him and slip my sandals on.
“No.”
“I need my purse so I can call for a ride.” I drove, but since I’ve had a few drinks I’ll leave my car overnight.
“I rode with Asher. I’ll drive your car. I saw it parked out front. Where is whatever you wore over that?” He makes an annoyed face as he motions to my swimsuit.