Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 108721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
“Behave yourself tonight. I’m going home. I don’t want any phone calls from the police, either. I mean it.”
Lee moves to sit up but then sags back against the counter, thinking better of it. “You got it, dude!”
All I can do is shake my head as I turn to head toward the door, leaving him there to drown himself in his sorrows. I know I shouldn’t go to Elyse, but I need answers. I’m desperate for them. She might’ve escaped me earlier but tucked into the bedroom across the hall from me, there will be no escape.
I’ve barely stepped out the door to make my way out onto the front lawn when my phone chimes with an incoming text. I tug it out of my pocket and see the text is from Bel. Fuck me. I can only imagine what she has to say. Knowing Elyse, though, I doubt she told Bel anything. She’s had many chances to share her dislike of me with Bel, but she never has, at least not to a degree that would give Bel concern.
I forgo ordering a ride and navigate to my texts instead to see what she needs.
BEL: Elyse is staying with Drew and me tonight. I don’t know what happened between you two, but she’s really upset, and I think it would be best if you both gave each other some space.
I tighten my grip on the phone. Are you kidding me? She was upset? Like she has a fucking reason? Because her secret was discovered? Before I can think better of it, I start in the direction of Drew’s place. It isn’t that far of a walk, and with this new development I can feel the anger threatening to pull me under. My fingers tingle, my muscles ache, and my heart beats furiously. Who the fuck does she think she is?
I doubt she told Bel the whole truth—that is, if she told her anything at all. From the fear in her eyes when I picked up the test, I highly doubt she’s told anyone her news. With anger clouding my judgment, I find it hard to think clearly. I have no reason to be mad at Elyse, not technically, but I am. I’m so fucking angry. Mine. She is mine. Yet she’s pregnant with another man's baby.
Even thinking about it makes my vision red.
It doesn’t take long to arrive at the estate where Drew grew up. As I get closer, the guy at the security gate eyes me but doesn’t say a word. Instead, he pushes a button and the gates open, allowing me entrance.
It’s fucking weird to be on the other end of things. I can remember when Drew used to stand outside the gate at my house, threatening me and telling me I needed to let him see Bel or else. Fuck, have the tables turned.
As I suspected, security must’ve alerted him of my arrival since Drew greets me at the door, shirtless, a pair of checkered pajama pants hanging low on his hips.
“What’s going on?” he asks in a friendly voice.
“Don’t play coy with me, Drew. Where is she?” I grit out.
His brows pull together and he gives me a confused look before waving me inside. “Bel? She’s in the bedroom washing her face. No need to show up. You could’ve called her, being that it’s late and all.”
I almost laugh. This guy. He gets a girlfriend and suddenly he gives a shit what time it is? I shake my head, and shove my clenched fists into my pockets. There’s too much energy inside me, too much anger. Why are you angry? I ask myself because it makes no sense. She isn’t yours. She doesn’t belong to you. She doesn’t carry your last name. She is no one to you, yet you’re acting like she is the entire fucking universe. Pull it together.
Looking back at Drew, I mumble, “Not Bel, Elyse.”
I start to pace, back and forth, back and forth. The mask of confusion slips from his face, and he narrows his gaze, almost like he’s suspicious of me. “What the hell is going on with you?”
“Nothing. You wouldn’t understand,” I murmur, clenching my jaw so tightly it aches. The truth is a hard pill to swallow when you refuse to accept it. Maybe that’s my problem; I need to stop fighting against fate.
No. I need to turn around and walk out of here.
Go home, give her space. Let her move on with her life, with her baby and whatever man tried to take her from me.
“Try me. I think I have you beat when it comes to dysfunctional.” I watch him out of the corner of my eye as he crosses his arms over his chest.
No. I can’t do it. The idea of leaving her and walking away for good is equivalent to carving a hole in my chest and expecting to carry on living.