Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24566 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24566 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Even Riley shrugs at that one. “Yeah, I don’t know how to explain that. But listen to yourself, Nina. You’re talking like you’ve met your one-and-only man from your dreams. And you’re sitting here ghosting him like a fifteen-year-old who didn’t compliment you on your new jeans. Give the guy a chance. I’m feeling envious over the way you just described falling in love with him!”
I’m nearly on the verge of all-out tears now.
My phone rings again. I glance down at it, vibrating on the coffee table beside my laptop and all my papers, Gunnar’s name on the display yet again.
“He’s not giving up, Nina.”
“He won’t,” I reply. “I shouldn’t ghost him like this. I should let him explain himself. And pray that this is all a big misunderstanding.”
I quickly reach down and snatch up my phone to answer it, but just as I do, it goes to voicemail. I immediately call back, and Gunnar picks up on the first ring.
“Nina?” For the first time since I’ve known him, he doesn’t sound like he could take on the world.
“Gunnar,” I reply. “I’m sorry I haven’t been answering your calls. I’ve just been–”
“It’s okay,” he says. I glance over at Riley and excuse myself from the room and step out into the hall. “You’re freaked out. I would be too after what happened. I understand.”
“You do?”
“Sure,” he says. “I just wanted a chance to talk to you. Is that all right? Can we talk?”
“Yeah, that’s fine. Let’s talk.”
“I mean…in person. I think it would be better that way.”
“Oh…” I can feel my anxiety coming back. I run my fingers through my hair and take a breath. “I don’t know, Gunnar. I have a lot of work to do tonight, and leaving campus would be hard–”
“I’m downstairs, and it will only take a minute.”
My heart skips a beat.
“You’re what? You’re downstairs?”
Gunnar chuckles. “Yeah, why do you think I’ve been calling you like crazy? And by the way, I’m not stalking you, I just wanted a chance to talk to you in person. I’ve been ducking so many college bros out here wanting autographs or a chance to spar with me. Can you come rescue me, please?”
I actually laugh as I picture what he must have been going through out there for however long he’s been waiting for me, calling my phone, trying to get me to pick up.
Should I do this? Should I go out there and meet him?
I take another deep breath, close my eyes, and process every reason I have to stay where I am now versus every reason I have to go out there and see him. And then I take my first step down the stairs.
“Okay, fine,” I say. “But five minutes only.”
“Thank you, Nina.”
I hang up and stuff my phone into my back pocket as I take the stairs down and shove the door open to the outside. I see him instantly, huddled under one of the trees, doing his best to avoid attention.
I rush over to him but am shocked as a pretty girl, probably a few years younger than me, steps out of the shadows beside him.
I stop dead in my tracks as she raises a hand and gives me a sheepish little wave. She’s blond with sparkling blue eyes and is wearing a pair of blue yoga pants and a crop-top tee with a band logo I don’t recognize.
“Hi,” she says, her voice sounding so innocent and friendly.
“Um, hi?” I reply, looking up at Gunnar what a what-the-hell look on my face. I was already worried enough about meeting him here and now I find him with a girl who looks even younger and prettier than me?
“Nina, I’d like you to meet Neve, my sister.”
My jaw nearly drops as a sigh of relief flows through me. I turn back to her, instantly feeling like a dummy. How did I not notice the resemblance? I guess I was too busy feeling jealous that I didn’t bother even looking.
“Sister!” I exclaim, almost laughing. “Hello! So nice to meet you!”
“You as well.” She smiles. “Gunnar’s told me so much about you.”
I cringe, knowing how little of a filter Gunnar has and try not to let any of my anxiety show on my face. “All good things, I hope!”
“Of course.” She nods.
“Listen, the reason I brought Neve here,” Gunnar interjects, “was because I think there’s some things she could clear up for you. I think you’ve got a misunderstanding about my case and what’s been posted online about me. Is that fair?”
I guess he saw right through me there…
I nod slowly. “Yes, that’s fair.”
“And I think, based on what you’ve read over the last few days, that you probably think that I am–”
“A sex offender!” Neve chimes in gleefully, almost laughing.
This shocks me, and Gunnar frowns and looks down at her. “Would you mind keeping your voice down? Shit.” He glances over at me. “Can we talk upstairs in your room? Or in the car? Somewhere a bit more private?”