Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 63139 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63139 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
I drive to the hospital and head inside, finding Maggie’s room. I knock on the door twice and then carefully open it to see her lying in bed, eyes closed, a few machines attached to her. She looks banged up, she has some cuts and bruises on her face and her arm is bandaged up, but thankfully she doesn’t look as bad as I was expecting.
“Hey,” I say, and her eyes pop open.
“Gabby?” she croaks. “I didn’t think you’d come.”
I shrug. “I’m not that cruel. Rhett told me you were in an accident, and I wanted to see if you were okay. Are you? Okay?”
She nods. “Yeah, I’m going to be fine. I fractured my arm, a few cuts and bruises, and am otherwise banged up, but I’ll live.”
I nod, pressing my lips together.
An awkward silence fills the room.
“Look,” she begins, “I know you don’t want to talk to me and I understand that, but can you at least let me say something?”
I keep my lips pressed together, an indication she can go on.
“I know I lied to you about Rhett, but it was only because I was worried you’d get hurt, and I didn’t want to hurt you. I lied to your face, and I regret that. I need you to know I regret that. I was wrong. I just need you to know I was wrong.”
“I don’t care if you and Rhett slept together, it was the outright lie you told me and then continued to go on with it, knowing how much it would hurt when I found out. That’s what got to me. You have to understand that you were my best friend, and I trusted you not to lie to me. I’ve never lied to you.”
“Were,” she whispers. “You said were ...”
I exhale. “Look, I’ve got a lot going on right now, and I appreciate your apology but ...”
“I miss you, Gabby,” she blurts. “God, I miss you. Rhett won’t even talk to me that much now because he is worried about how you’ll feel. I have nobody.”
Dammit.
I run my hands down my face. Is it worth losing my friend over? No. Am I ready to just let it go? I don’t know. I guess I don’t have a choice—I either want her in my life, or I don’t.
“I don’t trust you, Maggie, that comes with time, but ... I’ll get over it. I will.”
“Does that mean you’re not going to ignore me anymore?”
I nod. “Yeah, I’ve had my sulk. We’re good for now. Like I said, though, it’ll take some time.”
“I get that, and I’m okay with it,” she exhales. “If you knew how much I have missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too, and I’ve got a lot to tell you.”
I drag a chair over to her bedside and tell her.
I tell her everything.
R – YOU COMING OVER?
R – Hey?
R – Don’t fucking ignore me, Gabriella.
R – Fuck. Don’t bother.
I roll my eyes and toss my phone, continuing to stir the epic dinner I just created because my family doesn’t eat together, it’s a fend for yourself kind of situation. I don’t mind—the fridge is always packed full of food, and I can get whatever I want.
I’m midway through when Becky walks into the kitchen, Magnus following close behind her. Like a good little boy.
“Rebecca, Magnus, what brings you to the depths of hell at this time of the night?” I ask, stirring my rice.
“Can you be normal for five seconds?” Becky snaps.
“Doubtful. Magnus, how are things for you? I hope my sister is treating you right. I hear she gets pretty moody. If you wanted less high maintenance, you probably should have gone for a nicer girl.”
Becky glares at me.
Magnus gives me a scowl that could burn a hole right into my flesh if looks could kill. “We’re not in the mood for your nonsense, Gabriella. Where is your father?”
“God knows, he’s probably looking at the biker club down the road still. You should see the men they’ve got there, whew boy, they’re some sexy bikers. I bet you’d like your chance at one, wouldn’t you, Becky?”
My sister looks like she’s going to flip, big time.
“Can you grow up for one damned second?” she yells.
I pick up a piece of raw carrot with a grin, crunching down on it.
“Where is Dad?” she orders again.
“I told you, I don’t know. What’s so important that you need him right now?”
“It’s none of your business, but it’s urgent. Is Bradley here?”
“Nope.” I shrug. “Both of them are MIA. It’s just me, myself, and my stir fry.”
“Well can you find out where he is?” Magnus demands. “I’ve called, he won’t answer.”
“Oh, sure, Magnus, I’ll just send out my homing pigeon to find out his location. One moment ...”
“There is no way you’re actually part of this family,” Magnus snaps. “Honestly, someone switched you at birth.”