Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 100476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Lo: Kidding.
Lo: What’s up?
Lo: Char, baby, are you okay?
Twelve missed calls from Loden.
Lo: You’re starting to freak me the fuck out. We both can’t be falling off the wagon at once. Let me know you’re okay.
With trembling hands, I reply back to him.
Me: I’ll be okay.
Lo: Thank fuck. Jesus, woman, don’t scare me like that.
Me: I’m sorry.
Lo: It’s okay, baby. I love you. I’m going to see you soon.
Me: Love you too.
I straighten my spine, harnessing whatever bravery I have left inside me to open the other texts from Ryan.
Unknown Number: You’re nothing without me.
Unknown Number: No one can love a whore.
Unknown Number: I hate you.
Unknown Number: I need to see you.
Unknown Number: I still fucking love you even though you’re a disgusting bitch.
Unknown Number: When we get back together, you’re going to stop getting naked for other guys. Only me. To think you actually thought you could be a mother.
Unknown Number: Would your daughter be a whore too?
He must have gotten pissed that I didn’t respond because he sent me at least ten more pictures, all of which I was either passed out or half out of it. Each one I was naked and in some sort of sexual situation. It takes everything in me to find the words to respond.
Me: Fuck off, Ryan. I’m not yours anymore.
The dots are moving even as I go to block him. I never see his response and I’m thankful for that.
Someone bangs on the front door and I let out a surprised yelp.
Cal.
I won’t cry in front of him. Not now. Not when his world is crashing down around him. Diving deep, I search for all the strength I possess so I can be strong for him. Ryan can go to hell. He does not rule my life anymore.
Rushing down the hall, I make it to the door and fling it open, eager to fall into his arms.
The man staring at me is not Cal.
Tall. Solid muscle. Violence shining in his amber eyes.
A bigger, crazier, meaner version of my brother-in-law.
“Are you okay?” the soft voice beside him asks, drawing my gaze away.
Roux.
It’s Roux and…her dad.
Of course I don’t know this for certain, but it’s pretty obvious based on looks alone.
I nod, unable to keep my eyes from him. He stands easily six feet tall. Tattoos crawl up his neck. His dark hair is cut in a similar style as Roan’s flopping over one eye in a careless way. When his gaze sweeps over my body with mild interest, it’s then I realize I’m barely dressed.
“Oh,” I squeak out. “Come in. I just got out of the shower.”
Leaving them in the doorway, I rush back to my room. I find a pair of jeans and yank off the T-shirt to hunt for a bra. Once I find a black bra and an orange Hood River Cheerleader tank top, I run a brush through my hair and then brush my teeth. I still look like hell, but at least I have clothes on. When I finally make my way to the living room, I find Roux and her father sitting side by side on the sofa.
“Where’s Jordy?” I ask, cautiously approaching my best friend.
“Work,” she says. “Dad showed up and…” She trails off, panic glinting in her eyes. “There’s no room at our place and Roan is being an idiot.”
Her dad snorts out a laugh. “He tried to whip my ass, baby girl.”
Roux grins at his endearment. “He did.”
“Oh boy,” I let out in a rush of air.
“I’m Jace Hirsch,” Jace greets, offering a large, masculine hand that’s colored with tattoos. “And you must be the best friend.”
I chew on my bottom lip as I shake his hand. “That’s me. Uh, nice to meet you.”
This guy isn’t overly huge. Not as tall as Cal. Not even as bulky as Roan or Hollis these days for as much time they put in at the gym. But he exudes power. It’s in the intense glow of his coppery eyes. The hard set of his jaw and the way it clenches in tune with the way the muscle in his neck does. Like he’s a rubber band being pulled and snapped. Pulled and snapped. Pulled and snapped. One day, the rubber is going to break, flipping around and smacking everyone around him in the process.
His grin is disarming.
A hook.
Something he uses to lure people into his arm’s reach.
Neither of his children smile a ton, so it’s strange seeing the man who created them grinning so freely.
I put much needed space between myself and the man who unnerves me. “So you’re out of prison now?” I ask, trying and failing to make good conversation.
“Crazy, huh?” Roux asks, rubbing her cute stomach.
“My kids grew up,” Jace grunts. “Kids are having kids now. I lost a whole lot in there.”
The room grows silent and uncomfortable.