Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 60933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
The eating, drinking, and talking began, and before I knew it two hours had gone by. There was little I didn’t know about everyone now. I’d been caught up on it all. I wished I knew what I was going to do next. I seemed to be the only one lost. Which made my world even more lonely.
“Oh no,” Maggie blurted out in the middle of Riley telling a story about Bryony. We all looked her way as she jumped up and hurried to the window. “One, two, three,” she whispered, then turned around to face us. Except her gaze wasn’t on the group, it was on me. “It’s the guys. All of them.”
My heart began to beat faster as her words sunk in. I stared at her, unsure what I should do and hoping someone would instruct me. Did I stay? Did I leave out the back door? Was I overreacting?
“Brady is smarter than this,” Riley said, standing up and going to the door.
“Unfortunately Gunner isn’t. He likes to stir things up,” Willa said, frowning.
“I’ll go out there and stop them,” Maggie offered.
“No,” I said, holding up a hand. “No. It’s fine. Really. He must know I’m here. I did come because he sent the invitation. We were going to see each other anyway.” My voice sounded calm, and I was relieved it didn’t give away the current state of my emotions.
“This might be a good thing,” Aurora said, and I knew she was trying to ease my worries. I doubted anything good would come of it.
The door opened. Brady came inside first, and his gaze went directly to Riley. “This is not my fault. I’m sober. However, not everyone is, and, well…”
“Honey, I’m home!” Gunner announced as he pushed past Brady into the house. His eyes went to the food on the coffee table. “I told you they’d have the goods! Tallulah, I love your mother, and it’s fucking good to see you.”
Willa rolled her eyes. “Figures you’d be one of the drunk ones.”
He grinned at her and winked. “Hey, baby,” he said. “I missed you more.”
West came in next, followed by Asa. They both appeared sober. West looked more concerned than anything. He whispered something to Brady, then headed over to Maggie.
“You can have my seat,” I told Asa, since I was sitting by Ezmita.
He glanced at Ezmita and gave her an apologetic smile, then back to me. “I might not need to sit down just yet.”
Just behind him, I heard Ryker curse, then laughter. Nash’s laughter. My heart slammed inside my chest, and my throat felt as if someone had a vise grip on it. Unable to look away from the door, I watched as Ryker came inside with Nash, who was completely hammered and leaning on Ryker for support. My eyes couldn’t take him in quickly enough. I inhaled sharply and felt light-headed. He straightened and pushed away from Ryker, then laughed again.
“The damn steps were moving. I’m good now,” he slurred slightly, then, as if he realized where he was, his gaze moved across the room until he found me.
I couldn’t move, much less speak. I just sat there staring back at him. I wanted to say so many things. I had gone over in my head hundreds of times all that I would say when I saw him again, but I wouldn’t be saying them tonight.
“You’re right,” he said. “She is here.” But I wasn’t sure who he was talking to. He kept his eyes locked on me. Then he swayed, and Ryker reached out and grabbed him.
“You’re drunk,” Ryker told him. “You saw her, just like I promised. Now I’m taking you home to sleep this shit off.”
He shoved Ryker then. “I’m fine. She can go. I’m not going anywhere,” he slurred. “These are my friends. My fucking friends.”
I stood up. Although it was clear he was drunk, his words were still like a slap in my face. You were honest when you were drunk. That’s what I’d always heard. Maggie reached up and grabbed my arm. “Don’t go. He’s just had too much to drink.”
“Don’t matter how much I’ve had to drink. She can go,” Nash shouted.
Ryker shoved him down into an empty chair and glared at him. “Shut the fuck up,” he ordered.
I pulled my arm from Maggie’s hold and walked around the group. “It’s best that I leave. Thank you for inviting me, Riley. It was great to see everyone,” I said with a smile I knew wasn’t fooling anyone, but it was the best I could do.
“I’m sorry about this,” Riley said.
I nodded. I knew she hadn’t expected them to show up here.
“Let’s go to lunch tomorrow,” Willa called out to me as I reached the door.
“Okay,” I replied, hoping I could make it out of here with my smile in place.