Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“He and my dad were friends. I thought he’d give me the courtesy of backing the fuck off those contracts.”
“Are you taking a real hit? Is there anything I can do?”
“Take your rightful spot so he’ll disappear,” he bites out.
“Sorry to tell you. If I do, he’s not going anywhere. He’ll be my problem then, hovering to snake his way into shit.”
“Do you really think your grandfather will allow that?”
I shrug. “I don’t care either way. I’m doing well for myself. He can do whatever he wants.”
“Yeah, I see you’ve found your way into some great investments. How’s the restaurant business going? You think you’ll survive the three to five years? It’s not an easy business. You’re taking on three to start. That’s such a high risk.”
“No risk, no reward. I’ve got this. There’s no room for failure.”
“I love that about you. I’m not taking on anything I can’t guarantee a win at,” he replies.
“Then you’re not living. I’m not saying I’m not working my ass off, but I can’t be afraid to learn and apply what I’m learning. If things are handed to me, where’s the reward?”
He shrugs. “He asked about you.”
“And?”
“I told him you were your own man. Doing your own thing.”
“That’s more than enough for him to know.”
“He didn’t even bother to ask about my dad or how I’m holding up after... I swear, he’s heartless.”
“Tell me something I don’t know. You want to come with me to the track?”
“Why do you go there all the time? You won’t get into a car to drive. I used to think you were trying to fuck Skittles, but I don’t think you are. She’s just a friend, so what’s the deal?”
I roll my eyes. “You don’t have to fuck every girl you’re cool with.”
“The hell I don’t. Speaking of which, you mind if I have a go at Skittles?”
I scoff. “Good luck with that.”
He frowns at me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Bro, relax. I mean nothing by it. She’s just into someone. None of us have a shot until she admits that truth to herself.”
“Whatever, come on. I could blow off some steam.”
“Cool. I’ll text and let her know we’re coming over.”
Chapter 19
House of Friends
Kelex
A month later…
“I love this place. Whoever decorated did an awesome job,” a girl in a tight green dress says.
“I paid to do this room and two more upstairs,” Jeff says.
I frown and turn to look over at him. He’s plastered. No wonder he’s talking shit. He purchased the lamps in this room and two of the rooms upstairs as gifts.
Skittles and Pit were the ones to pay for entire rooms behind my back as housewarming gifts. I was totally taken off guard, not by Skittles, but Pit. Yeah, that threw me.
I shrug it off as I look the girl over. Okay, she’s totally his type. Shaking my head, I turn for the kitchen to get another beer. This housewarming turned into a much bigger party than I’d planned for.
The assholes are here and Jeff seems to have invited our entire senior class from high school. I don’t mind. I just don’t really care for a few of the people here.
“Hey, you,” Skittles sings as I find her with a drink in her hand.
“Hey,” I croon and tug her in with an arm around her head.
I kiss her forehead and hold her against my side. She looks up at me with a wide smile on her lips. She’s tipsy too.
“What’s the deal with that Achilles guy? I don’t know how I feel about him yet. He’s super shy, but really nice. I think it’s cute when he gets tongue-tied.”
“He’s a good guy. Smart as fuck.”
“Cool. It’s a good thing you have me, though. Half these people are here to be nosy.”
I laugh. “You picked up on that too?”
“Oh yeah, and the other half are groupies trying to spend the night or go home with one of your friends. Pit has told that skank over there it ain’t happening ten times already and she’s still trying,” she says bitterly.
“You know, that would all stop if you’d tell him you want him.”
She freezes and pulls away from me slowly. Her mouth is open as she looks back at me as if in shock. I smile at her and look her right in the eyes.
“Come on, you didn’t think I knew?”
“Knew what?”
“Whatever, Mayven.”
“Stop playing with me, Joshua.”
I chuckle, then taunt. “You want me to hold your hand while you tell him how you feel?”
“Oh, shut up.”
“You know he’s into you too. It’s crazy that neither of you sees it. You’re both going to look back one of these days and see all the time you’ve wasted.”
“Okay, my dear kettle. I see your face when you’re texting that girl.”
“What girl?” I say, feigning innocence.
“Whoever the girl is who makes your face light up every time she texts. Who is she?”