Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
“I used to think I liked you,” I teased. “Now, spot my ass.” I’d joined the gym with Tucker since Houston left. Sure, we could work out at the Rush facility, but sometimes it was nice to go elsewhere. We met up here or went for a jog together or something. It was weird to feel like I had friends, something I hadn’t let myself do since college but had somehow found in Denver.
We finished our workout, talking shit to each other the whole time, because was it even hanging out with your boys if you didn’t? We showered, got dressed, and were heading out of the building when Tucker asked, “On the real, though—I bet you’re excited to pick Houston up this evening.”
“Excited to get my dick sucked.”
He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, because that’s all he is to you.”
No, it wasn’t, but how in the fuck was I supposed to walk away from this if I didn’t pretend it was? “You’re always very interested in my sex and love life.”
Tucker shrugged. “That’s what friends are for…he say much about Whitt?”
I frowned at Tucker’s question, wondering where in the hell that had come from. “Not really. Just things we all already know about him—that he’s an asshole but also not. People likely say the same kind of shit about me, so I figure that means he’s really fucking awesome.”
Tucker laughed again before clapping a hand down on my shoulder. “You’re a damn fool.”
“Takes one to know one.” I shrugged.
“See ya later, bro. Have fun with your man.” Tucker began jogging toward his parked car.
“Wait, why are you asking about Whitt?” I called after him.
He turned toward me, shrugged, and kept going.
Well, that was weird as shit.
Houston’s apartment was within walking distance of the gym, so I headed back there. I’d already done some shopping, so we had food and stuff like that around the house. We’d be with his family for Christmas, so it wasn’t like we’d need a lot, but I wanted to be sure we had some healthy shit and things I knew he liked.
I fucked around, played some video games, and then hung all the framed photographs of myself I’d gotten to give Houston a hard time. I’d turned his place into a Cullen Atwood shrine, and I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when he got home.
I wasn’t surprised when my phone rang and I saw it was Charity. I thought about ignoring it, but twin sisters were something else, and she’d hop her ass on a plane if I didn’t. “What’s up?” I asked.
“Nothin’. I’m just feeling weird. Are you okay? I hate that we’re not together. What the fuck is wrong with me? Why am I spending Christmas with Mom and Caleb instead of you?”
“Because they live close to you, and I don’t…and I still have football shit going on…and I’ll be with Houston’s family…and you also like to see your nieces and nephews open gifts, and there’s nothing wrong with that.” A sharp pang settled in my chest, the echoing throb pulsing out through me. I hated that I missed them.
“Mom said you could come home,” Charity said.
She had, but why the fuck would I want to? It was awkward. She thought I was going to hell, and I knew she’d only said it out of guilt and due to Charity’s begging. “I’m busy. Football, remember? Have you been watching my games? I’m the fucking man.” The truth was, ever since Houston left, the Rush had been playing the best football we ever had. Ramsey, Garrett, and I were fucking magic together. I didn’t know what was up with me, but it was like I couldn’t do any wrong—like I was one with the football or some crazy shit like that. Whatever it was, I was thankful as hell. This was our year. I could feel it.
“Eh, you’re alright,” she teased, but I’d effectively changed the subject.
We talked football and life in Denver before I said, “Gotta run and pick up Houston.”
“Okay…I love you, Cull. I miss you, and I’m so glad things are going well for you in Denver. I’ve never seen you this happy. You fit in there…you fit in with Houston.”
I did, but I sure as shit wasn’t going to start thinking that way. “This is a PR move, remember? Aren’t you the one who kept telling me to remember that?”
“Yeah, well, it’s different now. It’s a twin thing. I can feel it. You haven’t sounded like this since college.”
Aaaaaand totally time to get off the phone. Why was she always trying to make me talk about things that hurt? “Gotta go, sis.”
“Cullen.”
“Love you! Merry Christmas! Don’t miss me too much!” I ended the call. She immediately texted that she hated me, and I laughed. Right now, nothing mattered except seeing Houston.