Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 80014 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80014 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
That was completely unexpected. I thought he’d be pissed off about his car, and that he’d totally assume I’d stolen it—especially because it had been a few hours, and I hadn’t messaged his brother with instructions on where to find it.
He was such a good person, but I already knew that. It actually made this a lot harder. If he’d yelled at me and gotten upset about the car, it would have been infinitely easier to run away.
With a sigh, I sent a text—not to Adriano, but to my best friend. It said: I’ve totally blown it with that guy I told you about.
Wyatt responded moments later with: How do you think you blew it?
I wrote: I got scared and ran away.
His reply was simply: So, run back.
I told him: I’m still scared, though.
The three dots on my screen bounced for half a minute before I received the next message: So what? Everything’s scary—life, relationships, caring about people. But you’re strong enough to face your fears.
I replied: Am I, though?
His answer surprised me: You’re the strongest and bravest person I know, Jack.
I wrote: Okay but to be fair, you’re kind of a hermit and don’t really know a lot of people.
He sent me an emoji that was rolling its eyes, but then he added: Okay, you’re right. But still, you’re stronger than you realize. Also, you obviously really like this guy, or you wouldn’t be concerned about running away. So, go fix it, and report back.
He made it sound so simple, and maybe it was. Maybe I hadn’t done irreparable damage yet. I wrote: Thanks, Wyatt. I’m going to go talk to him. I’ll let you know what happens. I climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine as a final text popped up. It was a string of clapping hands, cheer emojis, and thumbs up.
I had no idea what I was going to say to Adriano, and as I drove to the bar, no brilliant ideas suddenly presented themselves to me. I ended up parking around back to buy myself some time and checked my reflection in the rearview mirror.
If only I didn’t look so ragged. After I tried finger-combing my hair, I brushed at my wrinkled suit and shirt, which had definitely seen better days by this point. None of this could be helped though, and I needed to quit stalling.
My heart was pounding as I walked around to the front of the building. Adriano’s SUV was the only car in the parking lot. I paused in front of the tall picture window and watched him for a few moments as I took a deep breath.
His back was to me. All the chairs were upside down on the tabletops, and he was mopping the floor. I noted absently that he was wearing jeans and a black T-shirt. This was the first time I’d ever seen him out in public in anything besides a nice suit.
Adriano flinched and spun around when I tapped on the glass. Then his expression turned to one of relief. He dropped the mop into the bucket before hurrying to the door and unlocking it for me.
When I stepped inside, he drew me into an embrace. Despite myself, I stiffened up a little, so he let go right away. We stood there awkwardly for a moment, until he said, “Come in. Be careful, the floor’s wet and slippery.”
He locked the door behind me as I wandered into the bar. I felt ridiculous, embarrassed, and guilty for running off the way I had, and I kept my back to him as I whispered, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
I gripped the edge of the bar top and shook my head. “It’s not, though. I should have stayed and talked to you, but running away is my default. When I get scared, I run.”
“What scared you, Jack? Was it the situation with Greco? If so, I totally get that. It’s why I offered to send you someplace safe until this blows over. But that doesn’t explain leaving without saying goodbye.”
“It’s not that. I just…I don’t know how to do this.”
“Do what?”
How could I explain this? I didn’t know how to do any of it—how to allow myself to be vulnerable, how to be in a relationship, how to take a chance and risk heartbreak.
I turned to face him as I searched for the words. Reno was standing about five feet away, and there was so much pain in his eyes. I wanted to run to him and grab him in a hug and apologize. But just then, I noticed something behind him and shifted my gaze to the picture window.
Four huge men were right out front. They were dressed in black, and they were armed. Fear and panic slammed into me as they raised their weapons. Then time seemed to slow down.