Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 94903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Megan gives me a wide berth when she walks toward the hallway.
“Can we talk about this tomorrow?” I ask, my chest slicing right down the middle. It takes everything in me not to reach out to her. Let her go, Chase.
“Sure.”
I should follow her. I should call out her name and pull her in my arms. But it’s probably better for both of us to just let her go tonight.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Megan
I roll over and look at the clock—two o’clock on the dot.
My chest is heavy, and my stomach is sour. I managed not to cry until the house got quiet, and I was sure no one was coming by my room. Kennedy texted me good night and thanked me for helping her today. Chase, on the other hand, didn’t acknowledge my existence. I did hear him talking to Kennedy for a long time.
If nothing else, he’s a great father.
I flip on the bedside table light and sit in bed. I’m afraid to go downstairs to get a snack. The last thing I want is to run into Chase. I have no idea why he grew so cold to me tonight, and I have even less of an idea about what to say to him.
How did he go from practically asking me to move in, to telling me I was just a piece of ass?
“Because maybe I see things for the way they really are. Maybe reality just hit, and I’m thinking better without you sitting on my lap.”
“Oh, fuck off,” I say, replaying his words for the hundredth time.
I grab my phone and find Calista’s name.
Me: Are you awake?
Calista: Yup. What are you doing awake?
Me: Well, me and Mr. Marshall had a falling out tonight.
Calista: Wanna call me?
Me: No. I’m afraid he’ll hear me talking.
Calista: Got ya.
I get off the bed and wander over to the window. I remember the first time I was here. The excitement of it, the wariness. How nervous I was, yet not—because Chase was … Chase.
Calista: What happened?
Me: Kennedy got in trouble at school. Chase came home from a work trip, found out, and got all pissy with me for not telling him until he got home. Then he started saying shit like I didn’t sign up for this and there’s nowhere for me to work here—like I would want to stay here and mooch off him.
Calista: Okay, I didn’t know you guys were serious.
Me: We weren’t. I mean, we talked about things. Sort of. You know …
Calista: So he was into it, and you were backpedaling out of a healthy relationship?
Me: Sometimes I hate you.
Calista:
I sit on the edge of the bed and sigh.
Calista: So what’s the status? Are you going home?
Me: I don’t know. We left things up in the air.
Calista: REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE.
Me: Don’t shout. It’s late.
Calista: Very funny. But I mean it. Remember who you are.
Me:
Calista: It means that you are beautiful and intelligent, and kind. And if he wants to treat you like anything other than that, fuck him.
I chuckle. I did that. Hence, my predicament.
Calista: You like him, huh?
I pause, hoping I can honestly tell her that I don’t like him as much as I thought I did. Finally, I frown.
Me: Yeah. I thought I was falling for him. I actually thought that maybe this whole thing was some kind of kismet. That the universe was paying me back for some good deed I did in another life. But I was wrong. He turned out to be another frog and not Prince Charming.
Calista: That’s what men do. They trick you. And here’s another thing men do—they say shit they don’t mean. Don’t be surprised if he wakes up and regrets it all.
Me: I say shit I don’t mean. I understand how that works. But he basically said I don’t fit here, and that was … cold.
Calista: Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt. You thought he was a good guy up until now. You’re a good judge of character. Maybe he had a bad day and spouted off some shit. Or maybe he got scared. He’s not as badass as we are.
Me:
Calista:
I’m not sure.
My gaze drifts through the window and into the dark sky. I consider my options. None of them feel right.
Me: I’m going to see what tomorrow brings.
Calista: Remember that you’re Megan Kramer. Don’t take any shit. I don’t care how good his cock is.
Me:
Calista:
Me: I’ll keep you posted. Good night.
Calista: Love you. Night.
I put my phone back on the nightstand, cut the light, and start counting sheep.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Megan
I wrap an elastic around my hair at the crown of my head. Turning my head side to side, I check out my reflection in the mirror.