Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 69266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
“Fuck, that was satisfying,” Santi said once we were escorted to a VIP booth.
“Definitely,” Viv agreed.
Viv’s girlfriend, Kris, nodded. “I’m glad that I got to hear it. I can’t believe you put it together like that in a few hours.”
“Oh, it’s still shit,” Campbell said. “We have hours more to hammer it out.”
Kris huffed. “You could release exactly what you have now, and it’d be a hit.”
“Yeah, but not up to his high standards, love.” Viv kissed her on the cheek. “We’ve learned to let him be a perfectionist. It is what it is.”
“But your part is killer,” Santi cheered, slapping me on the chest. “Jealous.”
I laughed. “Uh, thanks.”
“Speaking of…who are you taking home tonight?”
He scanned the bar, but I shook my head.
“Nah. I’m good. I’m exhausted.”
Campbell laughed. “From what? A few hours in the studio?”
“We flew here today,” I said in my defense. When the real reason was that I wasn’t interested in some easy ass. Not when the girl I couldn’t stop thinking about was waiting two rooms over at home.
“Got a sweetheart back in Lubbock?” Santi teased.
“And how would I have done that in two weeks?”
“You move fast, hombre!”
“The only person he’s seen since he’s been in Lubbock is my little sister,” Campbell said.
Santi crowed, “Ooh, you into his sister?”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. I didn’t say that,” I said quickly.
“You’re not an idiot,” Viv said.
Yorke just nodded. “Suicidal.”
“That’s fucking right,” Campbell said with a sharp grin. “Nora has been through enough.”
“Nora’s hot though,” Santi said.
Campbell glared at him. “Take her name out of your mouth.”
“Can’t protect her forever,” Viv said just to needle him.
“Look, her boyfriend cheated on her with her best friend, and she found them,” Campbell said. “She was totally fucked up about it. She needs more time to get over it. Not any one of you shitheads interfering.”
Santi held his hands up. “I’m just fucking with you, bro.”
I said nothing. I wished that I could sink into the seat and disappear entirely.
“How’s she doing anyway?” Campbell said. “She seemed fine at my birthday, but she hides it well.”
I cleared my throat. “Uh, better. We’ve been going out to the bars sometimes to blow off steam.”
Campbell narrowed his eyes. “Just you two?”
“Yeah, as friends,” I said hastily. “I’m her roommate. So, it’s easier. We just drive together.”
“Wait, wait, wait,” Santi said, leaning forward. “You live with his baby sister?”
“Yeah,” I said softly.
Santi turned to Campbell. “And you allow this fucker to live with her?”
“You’re talking about her like she’s an object,” Viv snarled. “She’s a woman. She can do what or who she pleases. Fuck all of you misogynistic men!”
“She’s right, Campbell,” Santi said, preening. “Let her fuck whoever she wants.”
“That’s my little sister, you asshole.”
“You’re so controlling,” Viv teased, poking his shirt.
“I’m not controlling. I don’t want her to get hurt.” He considered it for a second, and then his gaze shifted to me. “And I’d kill anyone who touched her.”
“Not controlling,” Viv said with a snort. “Yeah, right.”
I met Campbell’s gaze levelly, trying not to let him know I was sweating through my shirt. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
When he said touch her…did he mean the inside or outside of her?
He was going to kill me.
Literally kill me.
I’d already broken bro code. And there was no going back from what I’d done. But I could keep it together. I could make sure it never happened again.
15
Nora
Annie paced back and forth across the bridal suite.
“Would you sit your ass down?” Sutton said with an eye roll. “I’ve gotten married this twice, and I was never this nervous.”
“I’m not nervous,” Annie said. “I passed my boards. That made me nervous.”
Jennifer arched an eyebrow. “Then explain the pacing.”
“It’s taking too long,” she said.
“You chose a five o’clock wedding,” Sutton reminded her.
“I know. I know. Why didn’t we get married at one? Better yet, why didn’t we elope?”
“Because you’d have regretted it,” I told her. “You know you want that big Wright wedding.”
Annie smiled softly. She was a vision in a cream lace gown with an impressive V down the front, which tapered down to hug her hips appreciatively. Her red hair had been designed into an elaborate updo with loose tendrils falling purposely. “I do want that. I should have done a first look.”
“David and I did. Took so much of the edge off.” Sutton’s smile dipped softly as she said, “But it was my second wedding.”
“I think I’d want one,” Jennifer said. “Less time to stress, and we all know that I have too much anxiety. I’d be a bigger mess than you.”
Annie huffed. “I’m not a mess.”
I laughed softly. She was a bit of a mess, but it was okay. I’d seen brides be way less sure than her about what they were about to walk into. Annie and Jordan had been made for each other. I was glad to be a part of their big day.