Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 107687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Oh good, because I thought I was going to have to break it down for you.”
I scoff at that. “It’s obvious?”
“Very obvious, since day one.”
I hold his gaze. “Shut up.”
“No, for real. Like, I remember the look on your face when she walked up that first day of training camp. That shit was gross.”
I snort. “You’re a jackass.”
“It’s true. You got all starry-eyed and practically followed after her like a lost puppy.”
“You’re annoying.”
“Only because you know I’m right.” He smirks at me. “Does she know?”
I shake my head. “I don’t know. I haven’t said anything. And we sound like girls right now. You know that, right?”
“It’s cool. No one is around,” he reminds me. “Why haven’t you told her?”
I shrug. “Lots of reasons.”
“And they are?”
I press my lips together. I don’t know why I haven’t told her. Okay, I might. “I don’t know if she loves me.”
My cousin’s face scrunches up so tight, I don’t even recognize him. “You don’t know if she loves you?”
“Yeah.” He eyes me, and I just look back, confused. “What?”
“Why do you think she wouldn’t?”
“She hasn’t ever been in love and hasn’t been loved right. What if she doesn’t know how?”
“You don’t need to know how to love. You just do, you dumbass,” he throws back at me. “Bro, come on. She’s totally in love with you.”
I swallow. “Why do you say that?”
“I saw you two at the wedding, the way she looked at you… And, dude, come on. This is getting too gushy for me. I’m telling you, she does.”
I work my lip. “But what if she doesn’t?”
“Then obviously you’re doing something wrong.”
Our eyes lock, and then we both start laughing. I shake my head and wish she were here with me. I want to tell her right now, but I know I can’t. She’s in meetings, and I’m about to be on the receiving end of the state of my future. As much as I know that my future will include Austen, my declaration of love will have to wait.
“I want to do right by her,” I admit, looking up at my cousin. “She’s been through some shit.”
“If I know one thing about you,” he says around the bite he just took. He swallows it and then coughs a bit. He takes a pull of his water and clears his throat. “You will do whatever it takes to get what you want. You’re the kind of guy who gives the shirt off his back, and I know you’ll do right by her. Because really, you don’t know how to do anything else.”
Emotion billows in my chest. “I haven’t been in a relationship before.”
“So? There are plenty of people who have and suck at it. Maybe you were waiting for the right one?”
Maybe I have been, and maybe she was waiting for me. “Thanks, bro.”
“Anytime, Blake.”
“You still call him that?” My dad’s voice surprises me as we both look up to where he’s starting to lean against the railing.
“Dad?”
“Hey, buddy. Flynn, you ready?” he asks, reaching out and smacking Flynn’s shoulder lovingly.
“Absolutely,” he says, more confident now that my dad is here.
“Good. Listen, you got a minute?” he asks me, and I look from him to Flynn then back.
“Yeah. I gotta stay close for them to call my name.”
“For sure. We can go to the steps,” he says, jerking his head to the left. Nerves eat me alive as I get up, grabbing my sub.
“Text me if they call you in,” I say, and Flynn nods. “Good luck, not that you need it.”
Flynn looks as worried as I feel, but he smiles. “Thanks, bro.”
Dad smiles at Flynn, and I move around the rail toward him before falling into step with him. “What’s up?” I ask, and Dad stops, turning to me.
“We haven’t spoken since the wedding.”
I clear my throat. “Been busy.”
“Or you’re upset with me.”
“Or both,” I retort, holding his gaze. “You had no right to say what you did. She is more than a piece of ass.”
He searches my gaze. “So, you are involved with her?”
“I am,” I say simply, not wanting to deny it or even tell him it’s none of his business. “I’m in love with her.”
Dad takes a deep breath and then lets it out slowly, his eyes still burning into mine. “Okay, I figured.” Unsure what to say, I don’t say anything. “Elli called me.”
I make a face. “Why?”
“Davenport wants you removed.”
I bring my brows in. “What? Because I’m with Austen?”
He nods. “Yeah, but Elli being Elli said she isn’t going to let it happen. I don’t know what she has planned, I don’t even know what’s really going on, but I need you to keep your cool in that meeting.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t fly off the handle and do something you’ll regret.”
“I won’t disrespect them—”
“No. I mean don’t choose her over your career.”