Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“You’re saying you don’t want to be with me anymore, Rain?”
“No, I’m not saying that. I just don’t want to marry you. I mean—look at us!” My voice rises, along with the pounding in my temple. Adrenaline shoots through my veins at such a high rate, my heart can’t keep up.
He slides his hand through his hair, slicking it back. His eyes cast down to the floor, and I bite my bottom lip.
“You aren’t even going to give my going to therapy a chance?” His words hit me in the chest, and I feel bad. “After you have been going for a while, let’s see where we are. Maybe without the added pressure, we can get back to where we were and move forward.”
Without another word, he opens the dresser drawer, pulls out the ring box, and tosses it on the bed next to me, before walking out of the room.
Pulling the ring off my hand, I take one last look before placing it snugly back inside. Why do I feel like the jackass here?
25
Drying my hair from the shower, I walk into the living room. The TV is on, the blinds open, and Heston is standing at the kitchen island with a piece of toast. He glances at me, tension and fresh-cut pain filling the space between us. I sit on the couch and pull my legs up beneath me. I want to say something, to try to smooth things over, but it’s a weight hovering above me I can’t get out from under. Maybe this is it for us. And if it is, I definitely chose the right path. If we truly love each other, this shouldn’t set us back that much.
Cam’s muffler sounds from the driveway, and I stand up. My eyes lock with Heston’s for a split second before I look away and go to open the door. I lean against the jamb, crossing my arms, watching Paige get out of her dad’s truck. Her eyes are red-rimmed like she’s been crying. When she sees me, she quickly looks down. Her usual happy-to-see-me look isn’t there, instead it’s replaced with one of sorrow. Instantly, I look at Cam for an explanation. He doesn’t look any better. His face is red, shoulders tense, hands clenched in fists.
“What is going on?” I finally ask.
“Where is he?” Cam barks, stomping up the walkway.
“What is going—?”
“Who the fuck does he think he is putting his hands on my daughter!” he yells loud enough for Heston to hear. I press my hands against his chest, pushing him back, playing referee once again.
“Do you mind?” I hiss. He finally looks down at me, that look of darkness I know so well deeper than ever.
“I heard you’re marrying this prick. What do you even know about him?” Cam tries to push past me again, and I grab his arm, trying to keep him from barreling through me but he’s stronger than I remember.
“Will you please knock it off!”
“Did he hit you? Has he put his hands on you, Rain?” Cam’s eyes widen, his sudden urge to protect me baffling. I open my mouth to reply, but nothing comes out.
“What’s going on?” Heston asks, walking out to stand beside me.
I become rigid, my muscles tensing. “Heston, I have it handled.”
“You put your hands on my daughter again, I’ll fucking kill you!” Cam jabs his index finger in the air as if shooting a bullet.
Heston juts his chin, making direct eye contact with Cam, as if he’s ready for a challenge. And that look alone stirs something in me that makes my stomach feel sour.
“She needed discipline—something this family lacks because there’s been no man to take care of them.”
My mouth drops open at Heston’s words.
“You motherfuck—” Cam pushes past me, throwing himself at Heston, fists first. The sound of knuckles hitting bone is so loud, I’m sure the whole neighborhood heard it.
Snapping out of my shock, I run after them, both now on the floor in the house, throwing punch after punch.
“You guys, stop!” Paige hollers, tears streaming down her face.
Stepping over Cam’s legs, I grab him by the hair and pull him back before he kills Heston.
Cam roars and falls back on his ass, causing me to fall into the doorway. Frustration and pain squeeze at my chest, making me feel like I can’t breathe. I’m fed up with this shit. I can’t take it anymore!
“Get out, Cam,” I heave, out of breath. He stands on wobbly legs and points to Heston.
“Something ain’t right with him, and I’m going to find out what it is,” he promises, his tone wrapped in thorns.
“Cam, go!” I scream, my eyes swollen from tears.
Glancing at me one last time, he turns and stomps back to his truck. His motor revs, and he acts like a jackass pulling out onto the street.