Total pages in book: 196
Estimated words: 186555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 933(@200wpm)___ 746(@250wpm)___ 622(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 186555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 933(@200wpm)___ 746(@250wpm)___ 622(@300wpm)
That made my stomach clench painfully.
He took a breath so loud and haggard, I was surprised it didn’t blow me away even over Bluetooth. “Aurora….”
“Rhodes.”
He muttered under his breath, then seemed like he pulled his phone away from his mouth to say something to who I could only imagine was Amos before coming back on the line and repeating the same question. “Where are you going?”
“To Clara’s,” I told him, still speaking quietly. Then I decided to take advantage of the call because why not? “I’m sorry for not telling you the truth, but I love you and Am and didn’t want you to think I was a loser, and I hope you’ll forgive me. I don’t really want to cry while I’m driving, but we can talk some other time. Okay, bye.”
Like the chickenshit I didn’t know I was, I hung up. I wasn’t sure if I expected him to call me back or not, but he didn’t. And I realized when my heart started hurting again, that I kind of had hoped he would. I’d fucked up.
I was so stupid.
But I couldn’t bear the thought of hearing him say something hurtful. Maybe it was for the best that we hadn’t spoken until now. The more time he had to cool off, hopefully the less my chances were of getting my feelings hurt more.
That still didn’t make me feel better though. Not really. I’d rather get into an argument than get ignored. I really would. I would have rather heard him tell me that I’d hurt his feelings and say he was disappointed that I’d kept the truth from him than getting brushed off.
Parking in Clara’s driveway, I got out with an even heavier heart at the same time the front door opened, and she was there and waving me in.
“Come on,” she invited, her smile gentle and welcoming.
“Are you sure everyone’s fine with this?” I asked, going up the steps.
Her smile stayed the exact same. “Yes. Come in.”
I hugged her and Jackie, who I noticed was standing behind her, peeking over her shoulder with an anxious look on her face. “Hi, Jackie.”
“Hi, Ora.”
I stopped and cursed. “I forgot my bag. Let me go grab it real quick.”
“Dinner’s ready. Come eat and then get it.”
I nodded and followed them in, giving Mr. Nez a hug too. He was already at the kitchen table, gesturing toward the seat beside him. Clara was right, dinner was done—apparently they adhered to Taco Tuesday, and I was all about that. We ate, and Mr. Nez asked questions about the store, and then they told me how Christmas had gone the day before. They hadn’t left the house, but one of Clara’s brothers had come over, so they hadn’t been alone.
I was just finishing off my second taco, which if it had been any other day, it more than likely would have been my fourth, when a knock on the front door had Jackie getting up and disappearing down the hallway.
“Did you hear that she and Amos are going to do the talent show at school?” Mr. Nez asked.
I set the last bit of my taco down on the plate. “Am told me. They’re going to do great.”
“She won’t tell us what they’re singing or anything.”
I didn’t want to ruin the surprise and lifted a shoulder. “I’m sworn to secrecy, but we should all get there early.”
“I can’t believe Amos would agree to it,” Mr. Nez commented between bites. “He’s always struck me as such a shy young man.”
“He is, but he’s tough, and my friend has been giving him advice.” I hoped he forgave me.
“The one that Jackie hasn’t stopped talking about? Lady… what’s her name? Lady Yoko? Yuko?”
I laughed. “Yuki. Lady Yuki, and yeah, that’s—”
A shout came from the front door. “Aurora! It’s for you!”
For me?
Clara shrugged as I got up. Heading toward the front door, Jackie purposely avoided my eyes as she went around me, heading back into the kitchen.
I knew who it was. It wasn’t like there was a long list of people who would come looking for me.
But there wasn’t anyone on the deck when I got to the door. What there was were two people by my car. I’d gotten into the habit of never locking my car anymore unless I was at the store. The trunk was open, and I couldn’t see their heads, but I could see the bodies.
“What are you doing?” I hollered, going down the steps, my stomach twisting with all the bad reasons why they’d be digging around in there. And possibly a little bit in surprise as well.
It was Rhodes that moved first, hands going straight to his hips as he looked at me. All broad shoulders and full chest. Big and imposing, looking like more of a superhero than a normal man. He was still in his work uniform. His winter work jacket was open, his beanie was pulled down on his head, and he was scowling. “Getting your things,” he answered.