Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 73192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
I stood up—without the bastard’s help—and started on my way again.
This time I didn’t stop at his taunts. I just kept walking until I reached the boat ramp.
Then, once I was at a part that had concrete and I could wash myself off, I waded into the lake, washing the mud off my boots, shorts and lower half of my shirt.
Once they were clean, I walked back up the boat ramp, took my boots off and emptied the water out of them.
Once I had them back on, I stripped the shirt from my body and tucked it into the back of my waistband.
Then I resumed my trek home.
All the while, I was very much aware of the man’s eyes on me.
He watched me go and I felt his eyes watching me, gaze boring into my back until I was out of sight.
Only then did I look over my shoulder.
***
I walked into the restaurant, very much aware that I was well on my way to being over half an hour late.
I did not want to be there.
Which was why I was wearing my white tank top that said, Sorry I’m late. I didn’t want to come.
It seemed fitting and hopefully my blind date would get the message that I was not happy about being here and didn’t want anything to do with him or this situation.
Unfortunately, I’d do just about anything for Janie.
Even go out on a date that I didn’t want to go on.
I pulled the door open and inhaled deeply, relishing in the scent of tacos and spices.
I loved food.
I loved food so much that I planned my day around good food.
For instance, today I got up early because I knew that it was the special day at the gas station—two bacon, egg and cheese taquitos for the price of one. But you had to get there early, because if you didn’t, they’d be all sold out.
They were that good.
Someone bumped me from behind and I stumbled.
It was only the quick thinking of the man who’d done the bumping that prevented me from landing on my face on the floor.
Once I caught my footing, I turned and smiled at the person behind me in thanks.
Only the smile immediately slid from my face once I saw who it was.
The man from the lake.
The stupid, tall, dark and handsome Greek god of a man who had made me fall in the mud and had stolen my moss.
The same man who I planned to steal more moss from later on tonight.
Like right now, I thought.
I should go now seeing as he was here and if he was here, I knew he wasn’t at home.
I yanked my arm away and glared.
“You were the one to walk in front of me,” he held up his hands. “Apparently, you need to learn to pay attention to your surroundings. You nearly bit the dust for a second time today.”
Fucker.
Chapter 2
Home is where I can poop for however long I desire.
-Tyler to his sisters
Tyler
I maneuvered the kickstand down on my bike, then looked at the unassuming building with trepidation.
I wanted nothing more than to go home, sit on my couch and drink a beer. In fact, I’d been doing that when the little trespasser came onto my land, not caring one bit that she was on someone else’s property.
By the time I’d followed her ass home to make sure that she got where she needed to go all right, I was almost late getting here.
In fact, I almost called and told them I wasn’t coming.
But then I remembered the promise to myself that once the station settled down and got under control, I’d start living my life again.
Coke, who was currently staring at me from the porch of the Taco Shop, had a grin on his face. He was the owner of the local salvage yard and a friend. Something that kind of surprised me because at first, I hadn’t actually liked the man. He was too much like me—standoffish, gruff and blunt.
But, after a couple of months of working with him, I now called him a friend.
Swinging off my bike, I stood to my full height and reached for the sky, stretching my muscles out.
I was tired.
I’d had a full day at work, had gone to the gym afterward for a quick arm burnout and then had gone home to chill for a couple of hours before I had to be back in town to meet with Coke.
Sighing, I walked across the broken and cracked asphalt, skirting around water puddles and potholes, until I arrived at the steps.
“You so owe me,” I said to the man standing there watching me with amusement on his face.
Coke grinned and offered me his hand.
I shook Coke’s hand, dropped it and then stepped around him inside the restaurant, unsure why I’d said yes to the man.