Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 80699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
I grab the nearly empty bottle of vodka from the dresser and leave her room. I hold it up in front of me when I see Emmalyn waiting in the hallway. I know she’s out here to make sure things don’t get out of hand.
“It’s her birthday,” she says softly.
I just shake my head and turn it up. It will be empty very shortly.
Chapter 39
Khloe
My headache when I wake up is otherworldly. The incessant pounding and the rolling in my stomach are my punishment for acting the way I did last night. I sit up hoping the new position will help settle my stomach; it doesn’t. The sunlight reflecting off of a silver box on the pillow beside mine catches my eye.
I pick up the small, unassuming box and turn it over and over in my hands. I know Kid had to have left it last night. I know the placement on the pillow he slept on so many nights was intentional. He wants me to picture him in my bed. It would be a genius plan if I didn’t think of Snapper being in his bed.
I open the box just as my bedroom door opens. Emmalyn walks in carrying enough food to feed an army.
I look away from her and back down to my gift. Inside the box is a beautiful silver heart inscribed with “forever yours”. The sight of it and his declaration makes me cry.
Em sets the plate down on my bedside table and reaches for it. “Let me help you,” she says softly pulling the necklace from the cardboard insert. Against my better judgment, I lift my hair and allow her to encircle my neck with the dainty chain and charm.
“It’s beautiful,” she says taking a step back and looking it.
I give her a weak smile and tuck it behind the fabric of my t-shirt.
“I brought everything Diego says is good for a hangover.” She points to the plate piled high with food.
“I’ll puke if I try to eat.”
“You’ll puke if you don’t,” she insists picking up the plate and placing it on my lap.
I look down at the greasy eggs and bacon sitting beside a fluffy stack of pancakes.
“This first,” she says holding out a bottle of water and a few Advil tablets.
I pop the pills and wash it down with a huge gulp from the bottle she offered me.
“Eat,” she says.
I lift the fork and begin to do as she says. I’ve never been drunk before, so I take her word for it.
“After you eat, you have to go out to the kitchen.” I give her a sideways glance. “Bryan and Aviana are leaving shortly. It’s tradition to see everyone off when they leave.” I shake my head at her insistence. “You can’t fuck with tradition.”
“Fine,” I mumble around a bite of heavenly eggs.
“After that you’re more than welcome to come back and take a nap, but not for long. I have errands I want to run later, and you’re coming with me.”
I know we won’t have to take one of the guys with us since Kincaid is back at the clubhouse, and getting out of here for a while is just what I need.
I tried the whole breakfast thing with everyone, but couldn’t force myself to stay longer than a few minutes. Kid somehow managed to go from a pained expression I’ve seen on his face the last couple of days to pissed off. I don’t know if it was because of me or that Snapper was in the room hugged up on Itchy. I didn’t stick around to find out.
“Where exactly are we going?” I ask climbing into the passenger side of the SUV a few hours later. My head still hurts, but I feel much better than I did before my three-hour nap. It’s now late afternoon, and I can’t fathom what kinds of errands she has to take care of.
“Here and there,” she says noncommittally from the driver’s seat.
I’m lost in thought as we drive through town. It’s not until we pull up outside of a familiar house that I turn and glare at her.
“What are we doing here, Emmalyn?”
“Someone has to water the plants while Dom is gone. Diego asked if I could do it.”
“You don’t even water the plants at the clubhouse,” I mutter.
She shrugs and turns off the engine and climbs out of the truck. I follow her because she took the keys and it’s hot as Hell outside.
I follow her through the house but head out back to the dock. The ducks see me making my way down the path and anxiously begin swimming toward the end of the dock, quacking in joy. I don’t have a sleeve of crackers like the last time I was here with Kid. The ducks soon realize I’m empty handed and go about their business.