Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Brock: Her smile could lighten up even the darkest nights.
Brock: Her laugh fills my soul with fire and happiness.
Brock: She’s the most hardworking woman I know, and I love and respect the fact she wants to forge her own way in this world.
Brock: She’s a loyal friend and a caring sister.
Brock: Her heart is pure and filled with goodness, even though it has been broken in the past by those trusted to protect it. To protect her.
Brock: I’ll never forget that first time I saw her in the elevator. She was wearing a yellow bikini, and from that moment on, I’ve thought of her as sunshine. Bright, cheerful, a ray of hope in this dismal and stressful world we live in.
Brock: I fell in love with every part of her, including her flaws. She pours entirely too much creamer in her coffee. She’s a touch grumpy first thing in the morning. She has a cat, for crying out loud, when I’ve always considered myself to be a dog man.
Brock: But despite all of that, I’d choose her. Every second of every day. I’d always choose her.
The last two messages arrived about thirty minutes ago.
Brock: I’m going to bed, alone. Because my heart is halfway across the country doing her thing. I’m so fucking proud of her, and to be honest, I’ve asked myself more times than I can count… what did I do to deserve her? I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to answer that question, but I do know I’ll spend every ounce of energy I possess to making sure she never feels less than the amazing woman she is. She’s my heart, my reason for living. And I love her more than I ever thought possible.
Brock: I don’t want her to reply tonight. I want her to focus on her job. I want her to crawl into bed, hold onto the pillow, and know that if I were there, it would be my arms wrapped around her. Holding her tight. Good night, my sunshine. Sweet dreams, love. And know you’ll be in mine too. I can’t wait to see you Sunday. I can’t wait to hold you in my arms once again.
“Good night, Brock. I love you too.”
With tears in my eyes, I set the phone down and grab the pillow. As instructed, I close my eyes and dream of Brock, of his arms wrapped around me once again.
The drive home seems to take forever. Traffic heading into Kansas City is backed up from an accident on the expressway. I’ve tried listening to nineties pop music, but nothing is really helping calm this anxiousness I feel inside me.
I’m thirty minutes from home, and all I want to do is get there, unpack, shower, and get ready to welcome the man I love home. Sure, it’s not our home, but maybe soon we’ll have a space of our own, one for just the two of us.
And Hermione.
I was up most of the evening, thinking. I considered my life from every angle and came back to the same conclusion: I want him. It doesn’t matter what job he has, what the rag mags say. Every relationship takes work, as long as you’re willing to put in the time and effort.
I’m willing.
And ready.
Just as the line of traffic I’m in starts to inch forward, I flip the station, hoping to catch coverage of the Ramblers game. I find it right away, and a smile instantly spreads across my lips.
“It’s been a rough game for Ramblers fans today. Down by twenty late in the fourth, we’re anxiously waiting for a status update on Ramblers’ tight end, Brock Williams. He was injured in a vicious hit near the end zone, which resulted in a fumble from Williams.”
“No,” I gasp, my heart pounding as fear grips my chest. My hold on the steering wheel tightens.
“We’ll report more as soon as we find out the status on Williams, but also when we hear about the trade rumblings that began prior to kickoff. Rumors arose mere hours before the team took the field, and speculation is it has something to do with the stories surrounding Williams and his girlfriend, Ramblers’ offensive coordinator, Richard Henderson’s only daughter.”
I close my eyes briefly, as worry makes it hard to breathe.
“Whatever the reason for the trade talk, we hope the rumors aren’t true. Since Williams joined the team, we’ve seen a new life breathed into this team, including an impressive three and oh start on the season.
“What we do know is today’s team is a far different one than the Ramblers who have played the first three games of the season. And I’m sure Ramblers fans everywhere are just praying we can get through the rest of this game without any more injuries or turnovers.
“We’ll be back after this.”
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE
Brock
My head wasn’t in the game. Neither was my heart, for that matter. They’re both with Joey. She should be driving home about now, and that means as soon as these damn doctors clear me, I can head home to her. I still haven’t talked to her, and it’s killing me. I can’t concentrate, and all I can think about is her. She knows I’m innocent, but that’s not enough for me. I need to get my arms around her. I need to hold her and kiss her and tell her how much she means to me. I need to feel her in my arms.