Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 74022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“No,” I mutter, taking the beer she offers me. “The last time I saw him was when I told you he came over drunk, told me a little about Maverick, and then told me he had to cut contact for a bit, because he was conflicted when it came to Penny and me. Since then, he has tried to call, more than once, but I’ve not answered.”
“And how does that feel,” Saskia asks, crossing her legs and sipping her beer with a moan.
“Shit,” I admit, huffing. “Regardless of anything, we had a good connection, you know? I’ve tried talking to a few other men in the last month, but there’s just nothing there. Nothing feels the same. Nothing even comes close. Boston and I, we talked so freely. And I miss it. I miss him.”
“You should tell him that,” Saskia suggests, raising her brows.
“Woman, you’re the one who told me it was for the best, and that cutting contact was better for everyone as someone was going to get hurt.”
Saskia grins at me. “Yes, I did say that. But you’re miserable, and I hate that. I hate seeing you in pain. Maybe I didn’t know what was best, I mean, I was trying to protect you which is my job and all ...”
“You made the right call ...” I admit, even though it sucks to admit it. “But it doesn’t make it feel any better. Especially not when Penny gets to see him every day.”
“That doesn’t mean he’s spending time with her...”
I roll my eyes. “Maybe not, but he isn’t rude, which means he’d still be talking to her. How long do you think it’ll take until he starts opening back up to her again, and I’m nothing more than a distant thought.”
“Wow.” Saskia reaches over and squeezes my knee. “You really liked him, huh?”
“More than I wish, believe me.”
Saskia sighs and then grins big and stands, rushing into the kitchen. She comes back with a full bottle of expensive whiskey. “We need to hit the hard stuff. Let’s get drunk.”
“I thought you weren’t allowed to go crazy?” I question, but I’m already grinning.
Saskia shrugs. “I’ll deal with Mason later. You need a distraction.”
She’s right about that.
And I’m super glad right about now she’s my best friend.
Super freaking glad.
~*~*~*~
CHANTELLE
I love being drunk.
Seriously. It’s the best thing ever. It makes my heart happy. At least for a little bit, anyway.
That’s how I feel right now. Happy. Drunk. My mind off in its own little peaceful place. Away from Boston, and Enzo, and everything else bothering me right now.
“Girl, I am so gone.” Saskia giggles softly, like we’re fifteen again and hiding in our closet after stealing our parents alcohol.
I giggle, too. “Me too, seriously. That’s good stuff.”
The door opens, and a trail of voices comes into the living room. Saskia and I are sitting on the sofa still, music playing lightly in the background, glass in our hand and the bottle wedged between us. We’ve been talking non-stop for about three hours, and in that time, we’ve more than had our fair share to drink.
We both peer over our shoulders when the voices get closer, and my heart instantly launches into my throat. I haven’t seen him for a few weeks, at least. Probably more. It’s been a while since we decided to cut contact. I wasn’t planning on seeing him anytime soon, either, knowing full well I need more time.
But here he is.
Standing with Mason, Malakai, Maverick, and Koda. And two other delicious men I’ve never seen before.
Still, my eyes fall on his, and my heart beats so fast I’m sure he can see my chest moving. Dammit.
What are the chances of this happening?
“Ladies,” Mason says, walking over to the sofa and peering down between us, raising his brows at the bottle. “I thought I said take it easy.”
“It is,” Saskia points out, her voice a little more slurred than mine. “We haven’t moved from this spot, to be fair. Not even any dancing. Just us, and this delicious bottle.”
Malakai walks over, and I tip my head back on the sofa so I’m looking up at him. He stares down, and grins. Amalie is a lucky girl. He’s freaking to die for.
“How’s things, darlin’?” he asks me.
“Well, I’d say right about now they’re fantastic.”
“See you got style, pickin’ the best whiskey there is.”
I grin up at him, head still tipped back. “Well, desperate times, Malakai...”
He chuckles. “Ladies, want you to meet the newest member of our club, sure you’ve heard of him. This is Slater Knight.”
I twist on the chair, avoiding the scorching look Boston is giving me, and stare at the man that nods. Good lord, he’s gorgeous. Fine as silk. My lord. He’s scary though—dark, and freaking massive. He’s bigger than any man I’ve ever seen, and that’s saying something, because they all pack a punch.