Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Jules’s mouth dropped open, Max’s eyes rounded in disappointment at me, and Simone sucked in a breath behind me. The kitchen was deadly quiet and no one said anything as I engaged in a staring war with Jules. Finally she just turned her back on me and went to the sink, where she started rinsing out some dishes. Her silence was more vicious than anything she could have yelled at me.
My gaze cut to Max’s and I was gutted when he turned his back on me too, walking up to Jules and hugging her from behind.
“I’m outta here,” I had growled, and stormed out of the house. To my surprise, Van and Simone scurried after me, silently getting in my car. I turned on the ignition and warned both of them, “I don’t want to hear another word about this tonight.”
They were both silent until now, and it seems Simone has found her voice. “You should go to Stephanie and apologize to her. That’s awful to say something like that, especially as sensitive as she is to those issues.”
I turn my gaze from Simone back to the blonde across the bar. She licks her lips and I count that as a very clear indication I’m getting laid tonight. God knows I need it, as I’ve been in a total dry spell since Stephanie and I parted ways.
Another stab of guilt hits me, not only for those nasty words, but for remaining silent for the past two weeks. I haven’t even bothered to see if she’s doing okay, and that makes me feel shittier about myself.
The bartender brings my drink back, and I shove some money across the wooden counter to him. “Keep the change.”
“Thanks, man,” he says, and walks away.
I pick up my drink and take another healthy slug, snagging a chunk of ice and chewing on it. I don’t look back to the blonde just yet, because she’s not the only game in here and I don’t want her to think it’s a sure bet, because I might find something better.
“Lucas,” Simone says with a nudge to my shoulder. “I think we should talk about it. You and Stephanie had something really good and you both can’t throw your hands up and quit yet.”
I spin on her and she takes a step backward, running into Van, who is just watching silently. He’s only out with us tonight because he likes to get drunk and bang loose women, same as me. He merely backs up a step to give Simone room as I snarl at her, “I’m not the one that quit the relationship. That was all Stephanie, so I’m not the bad guy here.”
“You are if you said those things to her,” she retorts. “If there was a chance to work it out, you probably shot that to shit with those nasty things you said to her.”
Fuck yeah…I know that’s the truth, which means I’m not only feeling guilty, but I’m pissed at myself for being so stupid. All of these emotions have been making for one seriously pissed-off and aggravated man, and the more Simone picks at me, the greater chance I’m going to erupt, and she’s not going to like it.
“Maybe if you went over to see her and apologized, you could get back on track. You are still having a baby with her, you know.”
Simone’s yammering and the pointed reminder that I’m still going to be involved in Stephanie’s life but not the way I want it to be pushes me over the edge. I tilt my glass back, and in four powerful swallows I empty it.
My head spins and I look down at Simone. “Mind your own fucking business, and I mean that sincerely. If you can’t, pack your shit up and get out of my house.”
Simone’s mouth drops open in surprise, and that makes me feel guilty too. So I turn away from her and look at the blonde as I pull my car keys out of my pocket. I thrust them at Van and say, “Get Simone home if you don’t mind. I’ve got much better things to do with my time.”
I risk a quick glance at Simone and I see her eyes flash furiously at me. I ignore it and start across the bar toward the blonde, who smiles at me in lustful welcome.
“Lucas,” Simone calls out to me.
I ignore her.
“Lucas, you don’t want to do this.”
I continue to ignore her.
“Lucas, look at me damn it,” she yells, and I twist my head to look over my shoulder at her.
“Guess what?” she asks tauntingly.
I merely wait to see what she seems so smug about.
“I’ve been secretly making out with your roommate, and he loves it,” she says with an evil smile, and if she had meant to distract me from my course, she completely succeeds.