Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 105306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 527(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 527(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
Beside me on the bed, his phone buzzes.
I grab it and hand it to him.
He clears his throat, reading out loud. “Yo, since we have a bye week, Schneider is throwing a kegger Friday. Tell everyone.” He looks up, tossing the phone back onto the bed. “You free this weekend?”
“I…” I am. I don’t normally work nights, and even if I do, it’s never very late, not even when they’re in a bind, unless I’m covering someone’s shift. “What about Diego?”
He and I haven’t bumped into one another since our last date, which was at least two weeks ago, and we haven’t been in contact since he canceled the next date we had, which resulted in Dallas showing up at my job.
“What about him?”
I gape. “Won’t he… Won’t it be weird if we show up at a party together after he and I just broke up? And you’re the one who broke up with me?”
Those long legs of Dallas’s pivot his desk chair. “Considerin’ you weren’t physical and you were only just datin’? No, it wouldn’t be weird. And if he’s got a problem, it will be my problem, not yours.”
It will be my problem, not yours.
I will my body not to shiver at his words, shifting my focus back to the television.
“How long do you think I should stay up here before I leave?”
It’s getting hot and stifling in here, more so now that we have future plans that include more fake flirting and pretense and a possible run-in with my ex…not to mention girls like the ones downstairs. Judgy, grasping girls.
“Reckon it doesn’t matter since I gotta drive you home anyway.”
Mmhmm. Okay.
We both go quiet.
And then…
“So, speaking of Diego…why didn’t the two of you have sex? What’s the deal?”
I prop myself against the headboard and set a pillow on my lap.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but…I have no idea what the answer is to that. I don’t think he found me attractive.”
Dallas snorts. “Bullshit.”
My arms flap up. “I’m not joking. I don’t think he was into me.”
“Well, if you want my opinion, I don’t think Diego is into women in general, but that’s just a theory. So don’t take it personal.”
Did Dallas Colter just tell me my ex-boyfriend is gay? I mull this new information over and over in my brain, adding and deleting details like a puzzle making it all fit. Red flags and signs I missed but now see very clearly.
It would certainly make sense.
Dallas shifts on the chair. “Shit. Did I piss you off again?”
“No.” He didn’t piss me off. He’s given me something to think about. “I’m processing.”
This he understands, head bobbing up and down. “’Kay.”
The room is filled with silence both comfortable and uncomfortable; I cannot decide which I’m feeling. Comfortable because neither of us feels the need to say anything more…and uncomfortable because I’m on his bed and he’s a giant and now that I’ve touched and smelled him, I’m more aware of him than ever before.
I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing or if there’s anything to be done about it.
fifteen
dallas
“We won’t know it’s a bad idea until we try it.”
– Drew Colter
Why did I agree to any of this?
Dumb idea.
Stupid to ask Ryann to pretend to be dating me, stupid to invite her to this party. Why didn’t I listen to my gut and tell my agent I have enough on my plate and don’t need to add a fake relationship to it?
I texted my brother Duke about this mess, but he hasn’t gotten back to me yet. I know he’s on the road right now, but it would sure be nice to get his insight; of the four of us Colters, he’s the most stable.
His girlfriend is a kindergarten teacher, for fuck’s sake. How much more stable can a person possibly be?
Outside of Ryann’s apartment building, I debate: should I go inside and grab her or wait for her to come out? Perhaps I should get my ass down out of the truck and go to the do—
The front door opens.
There she is.
I sigh, leaning back in my seat, relaxing. Wait for her to come to me.
Crisis averted.
She’s wearing another jacket over a pair of jeans, and I think those are heels but can’t quite tell because it’s dark out and the overhead lights are total crap.
Should I get out and open the passenger side door?
This isn’t a real date…
But still.
Once again, I debate the dilemma for so long Ryann is already pulling the truck door open and hopping up, slamming it behind her. Reaches for the seat belt.
“Sorry, I was gonna come get you, but you beat me to it,” I blurt out, explaining away my bad etiquette.
It’s dark in the cab of my truck, so I can’t get a look at her, but I catch her nod. Catch her tip her head back and lean it back against the seat.