Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 62710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
The shed door opens, and Western steps inside.
It’ll be the biggest act of my life, not letting him know that something is wrong. Even looking at him now, I am fighting the urge to scream and cry at the same time. I want to hurl abuse at him, but I also want to demand he tell me why I wasn’t enough for him to be honest with. Most of all, though, I want to ask him how he could do something like this after what he went through. Did being locked away for so long really just turn him into a monster?
“What’s wrong?”
He’s smart, too smart.
Luckily for me, I have a valid excuse for being up and down with my emotions.
I offer him a small smile, which is so incredibly difficult I don’t know how I pull it off. “Just having a bit of a moment, I’m okay.”
He walks over to me, tucking my hair behind my ear. “It’ll get better.”
How can he stand in front of me right now, looking down at me the way he is, touching me the way he is, when he knows it’s all a big lie? Does any of this mean anything to him, or is it an act, too? An act to make sure I stop digging, to make sure I don’t reveal the truth, to make sure he and the club are safe. He did switch from not wanting me, to wanting me very quickly. Was this the plan all along?
Did I just not see what was right in front of me?
“Can I go home tonight?” I ask him, knowing he won’t like it, but I also know I need to gather myself. I need to be able to sneak out to follow him, and I can do none of that here. “I wouldn’t mind seeing Luna, Just to have someone to talk to.”
He studies me, his eyes narrowing. “Is that all that’s goin’ on? Has Bill made contact?”
I shake my head. “No. He hasn’t. I am just a bit restless and I really would like to chat to someone. You can come stay over, if you like?”
It’s the perfect cover, because I know damn well he won’t come because he has other plans,
More sinister ones.
“Got business tonight, but I’ll send Mex to stand guard outside your place. I’ll come by when I’m done.”
I nod. “That sounds good.”
It’s killing me to stay this calm.
“Pack up. I’ll get him to drive you.”
He leans down, brushing his lips across mine, and for the first time since I’ve known him - it doesn’t feel right. I kiss him back, all the same, because right now my only focus is getting out of here so that I can figure this out once and for all.
“I’ll call you later,” I tell him, when he gathers a few things and makes his way to the door.
He glances back at me over his shoulder. “Later, beautiful.”
My mouth drops open as he steps out and closes the door behind him.
Did he just call me beautiful?
My throat tightens with emotion, and it kills me to know that we’re finally close and it’s all about to end. It hurts. God, even though I don’t want it to, it does. It fucking hurts so much. I press a hand to my chest, taking a few deep breaths, trying to compose myself. My eyes burn with unshed tears, but I fight them back. It is taking every ounce of strength inside not to crumble, not to scream in frustration.
Why is he doing this?
Have I ever meant a single thing to him?
I numbly gather a few things and then go out to meet Mex at the gate. He gives me a nod, and we both get into his truck and he drives me back to my place. The entire time, all I can think about is the fact that those last words might be the final thing that Western ever says to me that means something. When I catch him out, I know he isn’t going to take it well. His wall will go roaring back up and he’ll shut me off entirely, maybe even worse.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
I can do this.
I have to do this.
For the boys.
Mex tells me he’ll be outside if I need him, and I hate that I’m making him sit in his car all night. He maintains it doesn’t bother him, but I don’t know how he doesn’t go completely bonkers. I make a plan to invite him in for some pizza later, so that I can have the chance to sneak out. I’m going to get Luna in on my plan and get her to distract him. I’ll act like I have a headache and go to bed.
It's not a great plan, but I’m short on time.