Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 98992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
“Shower!” He answers from the bathroom where the door is slightly cracked.
Flopping down on the edge of our bed, I’m not surprised when he kills it seconds later.
God, when was the last time we even showered together?
Two years ago?
Three?
“My procedure was postponed,” he informs the instant he opens the door.
Our eyes meet as I ask, “Why didn’t you call and tell me?”
“I didn’t wanna bother you at work.”
“That kind of information is not a bother, Xander.”
“Well, to me it is. It didn’t seem worth upsetting you over.”
“That wouldn’t have upset me!” I loudly squeak. “You not calling or texting is upsetting. You not giving me a choice about our future is upsetting!”
“Why are you raising your voice at me?”
Realizing the conversation isn’t going at all the way I had been practicing, I clear my throat to regain my composure and gently toss the pile of mail on the mattress beside me. “What happened? Why did you not get your vasectomy?”
“My doctor got unexpectedly ill this morning, and while I trust other physicians, I would prefer the one I’m acquainted with.”
“Makes logical sense.”
“So, I went into work today since there was no point in wasting a day off if I didn’t have to…”
Bracing myself for a boring story prompts me to drop my stare elsewhere.
I mean he doesn’t need to see the exact minute my eyes glaze over.
The adjustment of myself on the bed causes the mail to shift and a plain white envelope addressed to me at my parents’ house with no return address.
Huh.
Weird.
The handwriting on it looks eerily familiar.
Like one I used to see every day.
Like one I swore I’d never see again…
I carefully grab it, turn it over, rip it open to remove a folded letter from inside.
Presley,
You were my first addiction, my sweetest high.
I tried to replace you in various ways, but always failed.
You wanted to protect me.
You were my family when it felt like I had no one else.
For the pain I caused you, I will never forgive myself.
Letting you walk away was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
I’ve changed, but my love for you never will.
You were my first addiction, my sweetest high, the one I’ll never stop chasing.
I haven’t given up all hope.
Not yet.
-Ry
My hand trembles as I lower the letter down to my chest, racing heart pounding so loudly I can barely hear anything else.
Is this real?
Can this actually be happening?
Does he…are we…meant to have another chance?
Is that what I want?
“Well,” Xander’s voice somehow manages to pierce through the growing uncertainty upon his arrival in front of me. “What do you think?”
Realizing that I haven’t heard a word he’s said is what sends my stare up to where he’s now standing. “What?”
“About us getting married?”
Xander extends an open red box my direction, a large diamond engagement ring shining brightly in the center.
The strenuous situation I was already dealing with now feels like a feint struggle used to mask the skirmish I’m not sure my soul will actually survive.
An unexpected proposal.
An unforeseen proclamation.
And an unanswered question that only I can decide.
So, which is it, Pres?
Is the dealer of my life stacking the deck for me or are all the newly shuffled cards getting ready to be used against me?
Ryder and Presley’s story isn’t over yet…