Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 111359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
What they needed to understand, though, was that their Hannah no longer existed.
She was a shell of herself. Withdrawn and cold.
It wasn’t like she could just come out and tell them what had happened. So she’d been full of excuses for the last three weeks about why she couldn’t go out with them.
That she was unpacking . . . they’d offered to help, and she’d declined.
That she wasn’t feeling well . . . that excuse was getting old.
Her phone buzzed again, making her jump.
Fuck. What was wrong with her?
It wasn’t him. He wasn’t texting to berate her. Or to tell her what to wear or how to act.
Or that he was coming over and to prepare herself.
At the time, she’d liked those sorts of texts. The other ones, not so much, although she’d never made that clear. But she’d enjoyed preparing herself for him. Getting naked and waiting.
Now the memory made her want to vomit.
You are not going to be sick. You are not.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. This was ridiculous.
She had to stop this.
Besides, she knew it had to be Mel. There was nothing to fear from her.
Melody: Nope. You’ve used that excuse too many times. You’re coming even if I have to drag you out.
Fuck. For the last three weeks, she’d hidden away as much as she could. She had to go to work, of course. She desperately needed the money. So she was thankful that Doc Harper and Jenna had given her a job, this time as the practice manager
They’d filled her position when she’d left and they’d been under no obligation to hire her again. She thought they might have created the job for her out of pity since their clinic was kind of too small to need a manager. But she’d taken their charity. She’d barely had the money to get herself back to Haven, so she couldn’t be picky.
Thankfully, this tiny apartment above the florist’s shop had been empty and was owned by the town council. They’d let her rent it without a bond.
It had been a lifesaver. Otherwise, she’d be couch surfing. Or worse, living on the streets. Although that was something that would never happen in Haven. The men of the town would be in an uproar at the idea of a woman living on the streets.
She could never let them know what had happened. They’d all rally around. They’d give her everything she needed and more.
But rather than make her feel less foolish and . . . and weak, it would make it all worse.
Stupid Hannah. Taken in by a man.
Stupid Hannah. Couldn’t see that she was being used.
Stupid Hannah. Now, she’s dirty and won’t ever be clean.
“Shit. Fuck,” she whispered, digging her fingernails into the palms of her hands. She couldn’t deal with this.
It was too much.
Breathe. Just breathe.
She couldn’t even leave the house unless she’d pulled on a layer of protection on. She dressed and acted in a way to keep people at bay, to shut everything and everyone out. All she could do was concentrate on one moment at a time. Just getting through the day until she could go home and hide again.
Now it seemed her friends had had enough. She knew they just wanted answers.
But she was ashamed, upset, and mad at herself.
Such a fool. She’d been such a fool.
All your fault.
Urgh! Stop it!
Her phone buzzed again.
Melody: Tick. Tock. Five minutes to decide.
Fuck. She didn’t want them here. So that only left her one choice. Unless she wanted to leave town and never see or speak to anyone again.
It was tempting.
She closed her eyes. This wasn’t fair. She loved this town. Adored the people who lived here.
She had good friends. She’d had an awesome life.
And she didn’t want to let him ruin that for her.
Hannah: I’ll meet you there.
Melody: Good. Don’t even think about not turning up.
For the last three weeks, Melody had gone from tough love to tiptoeing around her. Now, it seemed like she’d swung back to tough love.
Too bad none of it would work.
Nothing was going to break through the shell Hannah had erected around herself.
Nothing.
Raid spotted her the moment she walked into Dirty Delights. His gaze moved over her with a frown. She was wearing a pair of loose-fitting jeans with an oversized black sweater. Her hair was loose and acted like a curtain for her to hide behind.
Her shoulders were slumped as she moved her way into the bar.
He wanted to storm over there and take her into his arms. To ask her what was wrong.
And demand that she let him fix it.
“Word is she broke up with him.”
“What? Who?” He turned to Tanner, who was also staring at Hannah, worry in his gaze.
“Hannah. She broke up with the guy she’d been seeing.”
“Word is?” he repeated his brother’s words. “What? Are you listening to gossip now? You on the phone tree or something?”