Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 85725 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85725 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Huh.
I did better with it last night than I have in the past.
Was it because of Archer or am I reaching?
“Yeah. I’m okay. Gonna make some breakfast. Go in a little later than normal. Let the roads thaw a bit and get driven on first.”
“I’m glad your boss understands your situation.”
I have a hard time driving on icy roads since Chris’s death. Period. You saw me last night. The truth is…most of the time, I won’t even get behind the wheel of my car. Thankfully, Presley’s completely aware of the situation, my discomfort, and added an amendment to my contract that allows me an automatic pass for life to be late or call in on such days without penalty. I do my best never to take advantage of her kindness. You know…sort of like Archer wasn’t trying to take advantage of mine despite what you might think.
“Speaking of situations,” the segue is swift, “how’s the one with your friend?”
My lip slips between my teeth on a less than innocent hum. “Hm?”
“Pizza Dude?”
God, I am not good in a crisis.
“Is Pizza Dude still there?” There’s a small rustling that informs me he’s shifting his grip on his device. “Is he being…respectful?”
Not surprised that he knows or by his interrogation, I sweetly smile. “Yes, to both.”
“Is he being grateful?”
“Extremely.”
“Is he aware you’re locked, loaded, and capable of lining up his organs alphabetically?”
Giggles helplessly fall free. “Yes.”
“Good.” The short pause is followed by a warm sigh. “Promise me you’ll shoot first and call for assistance later if necessary.”
“Dad.”
“Sugar, I know my little girl. I know you would climb to the top of a mountain in your flip-flops to save a helpless rabbit if you thought it needed it. And maybe the rabbit does but that doesn’t mean I want you to put yourself at risk to possibly save someone else.”
“Are you aware of the irony in the statement, Lieutenant Jenkins?”
“I am,” he lightly chortles, “however, I signed up to do that shit for a paycheck. You get paid to read books about rabbits, not save them.”
In some ways Archer really is that rabbit. Trapped on top of a snowy mountain. Scared. Alone. Lost. I know all he needs is someone to care. I can see it. I can…feel it.
“Jaye.”
The realization I’ve been quiet for too long has me shaking my head to snap back to the present moment. “I promise to let you know if I need anything.”
“Is that as good as that promise is gonna get?”
“Yup.”
“Fine. Call me later? We need to plan a weekend at the range and not just because I feel you could use more target practice now more than ever.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Too bad that alone isn’t enough to keep a suspect in holding.”
“Dad!”
“Love you, sugar.”
“Love you more.”
Our call ends, and the device is tucked safely into my light blue jeans back pocket. Next, I exit my room and head for the stairs, butterflies fluttering frantically around my stomach the same way they do when a new shipment of books gets delivered to me.
You know Archer’s kind of like a new book, too. He’s got pages and pages and pages that I can’t wait to read and understand and get lost in. I just…I just hope he lets me. I get keeping people at a distance – trust me, I really do – but I hope I somehow for some reason become the exception to that rule. It’d be nice to have…at the very least…a real friend again.
Upon my arrival at the garage door, I notice his missing clothes, which prompt me to politely knock as opposed to just barging in.
Again.
Although, between you and me, seeing him wet and almost naked was an amazing dessert for the eyes.
When there’s no answer, I crack the door open just a bit to investigate the situation. The sight of his deflated bed and folded bedding has me swinging it wide just in time to see him getting ready to go out the open garage.
“Wait!”
My voice initially ignites a smirk, yet he banishes it for scowl.
“Where are you going?” Trekking into the cold air is done fearlessly and without a coat. “And why are you leaving?”
The mad rush of words out of my mouth prompts him to turn my direction and challenge, “Why would I stay?”
“Why wouldn’t you stay?”
Bewilderment bumps him slightly backwards. “Why would you want me around any longer than I’ve already been?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Why are you answering my fucking questions with the same fucking questions?”
“Why are you asking these asinine questions to begin with?!”
“Why would you call them fucking asinine?”
“Because they are!” I mindlessly shriek, a little surprised at my pitch as much as my strength. “If I didn’t want you around, I wouldn’t have invited you in. And if I didn’t want you to stay, I would’ve asked you to leave. And instead of constantly forcing me to defend the decisions I’m making, how about you just look me in the eyes and tell me they’re just not the ones you want. That this isn’t the place you want to be. That I’m not the person you want to be around.”