Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 68177 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68177 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“He’s probably caught in traffic.” Braxton’s words startle me, and I glance at him as he gives my thigh a gentle squeeze.
“You’re probably right.” Worry and frustration fill the pit of my stomach. I wish I could say it’s not like Jamie to run late, but I don’t think he’s ever shown up for anything on time. I just thought he knew I needed him tonight.
“He’ll be here.”
“He better be,” I mutter back as I pick up my glass of wine. I swallow a huge gulp then look at Braxton’s parents, who are watching me, and set down my glass. All I need is for them to think I have an issue with alcohol on top of being a danger to their son’s life.
“Dakota,” Bret calls, and I focus on him, my muscles getting tight when I see the look of concern in his eyes. “I think I need to apologize.” He clears his throat, and Alisha covers his hand with hers on the table. “I was upset earlier after seeing what was done to your apartment, but I wasn’t upset with you.”
“Neither of us are upset with you,” Alisha chimes in with a soft smile, and Braxton’s hand smooths up and down my thigh.
“We know what’s happening isn’t your fault, and both of us agree that the safest place for you to be is with our son.” He smiles a smile that looks like one of his son’s. “That’s unless you say you want to come home with us when we leave.”
I laugh, relieved they don’t hate me. “I do need a vacation. I might just take you up on that.”
“You’re welcome anytime.” Alisha says, and Bret nods his agreement as Braxton’s cell phone begins to ring. I glare at his phone when he pulls it from his pocket and then seethe at him.
“Seriously, I really hate that stupid thing,” I tell him as he looks at his phone, seeming confused.
“Sorry.” He kisses my cheek. “I’ll be right back.” He stands, placing his napkin on the table before walking away. I turn to look over my shoulder and watch him disappear through the crowded restaurant, putting his phone to his ear when he reaches the door.
“Well.” I pick my glass of wine back up as I look between Bret and Alisha. “If you don’t hear from your son, it’s because I’ve either killed him or tossed his cell into the trash.” They both laugh as I take another gulp of wine, thinking they really shouldn’t be so stingy with their servings, especially since I know this wine didn’t cost thousands of dollars.
“You’re good for him,” Bret states softly as I set my now empty glass down and look at him. “You aren’t afraid to remind him that work isn’t the most important thing in his life.”
“Yet he still just left the table with his phone,” I point out.
Alisha shrugs. “We’re hoping that the more you point it out, the more he will see how much his job has taken over his life.”
“Don’t get your hopes up,” I say then jump when a hand lands on my shoulder. I tip my head back and meet Braxton’s gaze, and the look in his eyes sends a chill down my spine.
“What happened?” I ask as he takes his seat next to me and adjusts me in my chair so that I’m facing him. “You’re scaring me,” I admit as he takes my hands.
“That call was from your brother.”
“Jamie,” I whisper, and he nods.
“He was arrested tonight.”
My stomach drops, and I turn my hands over so I’m gripping his. “Arrested?”
“Freddie got drunk and started rambling about you and me to Lozz. At first, he didn’t think much of it, but then Lozz spoke to Jamie, and your brother told him about your place being trashed and what’s been happening. Lozz put two and two together, since he knew Freddie didn’t go home with them Friday. Jamie went over to talk to him, and Freddie was still drunk and admitted what he did.”
“What?” I whisper, sure I heard him wrong.
“Things became violent, they fought, and Freddie is in the hospital. Jamie is at the station.”
My stomach churns. “I think I’m going to be sick.” I pull my hand from his to cover my mouth. I haven’t known Freddie as long as I’ve known Jinx and Lozz, but he’s still someone I trust—one of the few people I really trust.
“I called my lawyer. He’s going down to the station to bail Jamie out, but he did a number on Freddie, so we need to be prepared for what might happen.”
I close my eyes and drop my chin to my chest. Jamie has always had a temper, and when he loses control of it, he becomes irrational and can’t restrain himself. I can only imagine what he did to Freddie when he found out he was the one behind what’s been going on, especially when he considered him a close friend.