Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
After coming home he’d checked on his mom, before going back home to strip out of his clothes and take a nap for a few hours. It was close to dinnertime when his eyes opened, and Shane forced himself out of bed. Fuck, he’d needed that sleep. Probably needed more of it.
He tried to put the day behind him. He went straight for his shower, turning it on and stepped inside. The hot water felt good against his anxious body, so he let himself savor it a little longer than he normally would have before getting out and pulling on a pair of boxer briefs, jeans, and a white T-shirt.
Once he finished getting ready, he made his way across the property and back over to his mom’s. He always used the back door which led to the kitchen. She’d just closed the oven when he entered.
“Oh, I was making you some chocolate cake,” his mom said.
It was a peace offering because she felt guilty. She always made him chocolate cake when she felt bad. “You don’t have to do that, ya know?” Shane sat down at the table.
“What? Make something special for my son? That’s all I’m doing.”
“Okay,” he replied because he didn’t want to argue with her.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It’s not supposed to mean anything, Ma. Smells good.”
She smiled at that. “It’s a new recipe I found online. I think you’re going to like it.”
She walked over and kissed his forehead. “You smell good.”
“Like soap.” He frowned at her. Cologne and all that shit wasn’t his style. He sure as hell wasn’t going to put in anything extra to see Van at Round Table.
“Huh. Not sure what the difference is. I was thinking we could skip dinner tonight. Just eat massive amounts of chocolate cake and watch horror movies or something.”
Which was likely what he should do. What was the point in spending any more time with Van? The guy was only there temporarily. Still, he found himself saying, “I was thinking about going out tonight.”
“Portland?” she asked.
“No, just Round Table.”
A smile stretched across her face. She looked good, better than she had that morning. “With Ryan?”
Shane rolled his eyes. “I told you he’s straight, and can you not talk to me like I’m sixteen? I just felt like going out for a few beers, but if you need me to stay home with you, I can. Actually, maybe I should just stay. I’m a little tired anyway and—”
“No.” She shook her head. “Don’t do that, Shane. Please don’t. You’re thirty years old. If you want to go out, go out. You do not owe me your life. I don’t want you to stay in with me.”
But I’m not sure if I want to go out with Van….
“That’s not why I was thinking about staying in.”
“You’re a bad liar, and I’m fine. I’m just in a little bit of a funk is all. You know how my cycles are.”
Yes, he did. He knew her depressive cycles better than she did. They’d have their good times and their bad. Things weren’t too hard right now, and he hoped it stayed that way. Just a small dip and not the plunge off the cliff they’d experienced in the past.
“Okay, but I do have a little while before I have to leave. You know I’m not going anywhere without cake.”
They talked as the food baked. Once it cooled, Shane helped her frost it. They each devoured a large piece before Shane worked with her on her puzzle for a little while.
When it was almost nine, he stood and stretched, saying, “I have my cell on me like always. Call if you need anything, okay?”
“I’m fine, Shane. I’m probably going to watch a movie and go to bed. That’s it. Have fun with Ryan.”
He nodded, instead of correcting her. He knew where it came from, her obsessiveness with Ryan. Since they’d become friends she hoped for more, because if Shane found someone, it might ease her guilt a little that he’d stayed.
Shane gave her a hug goodbye and walked out. He went back to his place and brushed his teeth again. The whole time silently cursing himself for telling Van not only that he’d be at Round Table, but also for that morning. He’d forgiven the guy, but did that mean they needed to hang out? He couldn’t deny Van intrigued him. Shane was curious about all the ways he’d changed.
He shoved those thoughts away, not willing to dwell on them before jogging out to his truck. The motion detector light came on as he made his way there, lighting the way for him.
The drive to Round Table was short because the drive anywhere in Last Chance was short.
He saw Van’s car in the lot as he pulled in, Van’s words from that morning filtering through his head.