Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
When a chuckle slips free from him, ricocheting off the walls, I know the question has done exactly what it was meant to.
DELILAH
Austin’s fingers lock around mine as he tows me through the first floor of Kingsley’s house. Even though I’ve been here several times, I can’t help but stare at the opulence that surrounds me. Heavy crystal chandeliers hang from the double story ceiling and antique furnishings that are polished to a high shine fill every room. There’s an ocean of gleaming hardwood throughout the first floor. The oversized paintings that take prominence on the walls look as if they belong in a museum rather than a home. It doesn’t escape me that just one piece of artwork from the Rothchild collection could probably buy us a new house.
There was a game earlier this evening and the Hawks crushed their opponents. Jasper started out playing the first quarter, but after an intercepted pass and touchdown, he was pulled out and replaced by Austin.
By the end of the first quarter, the game had turned around. I couldn’t help but notice how cool and collected Austin appeared on the field. It didn’t take long for the fans filling the stands to cheer his name.
Since our arrival at the party, classmates have been slapping him on the back, telling him what a great game it was. A few stopped, wanting to discuss some of the plays. Instead of eating up their praise and attention, he gave them a chin lift in acknowledgment and a curt thank you. If this were Jasper, he’d be reveling in their admiration, soaking it in.
Austin is nothing like my ex. It’s something I’ve known in the back of my head, but to catch more glimpses of it is reassuring. The last thing I want to do is make the same mistake twice.
My belly hollows out as my attention resettles on him. No matter what I’m doing or where I’m at, I can’t keep my gaze off him for long.
He’s so handsome.
Devastatingly so.
It seems almost surreal that we’re here tonight as a couple.
A real couple.
He’s not rubbing me in Jasper’s face and using me to piss him off. After spending the night in his arms, a shift has occurred. It feels like we might actually have a real shot at a relationship.
“Do you want something to drink?” he asks over the pumping beat of music that echoes off the cavernous walls of the mansion.
“Just a water,” I say, raising my voice to be heard.
Fighting through the mass of bodies, we make our way to the kitchen, where the booze is flowing freely. People are taking shots and playing drinking games. He grabs a bottle of water from the fridge and a red Solo cup of what’s on tap for himself.
We both take a drink as his gaze coasts over the sea of students. “Let’s go outside and sit by the firepit. It’s too damn crowded in here.”
The house is wall-to-wall people. Kingsley doesn’t throw parties often, so when he does, no one wants to miss it. Classmates chatter excitedly about the victory on the field now that the team is closer to making it to state.
Although, let’s face it, there’s probably a good number of kids in attendance who don’t give a crap about football. They want to get wasted and have a good time. I’ve never been one of those people. When Jasper would drag me to parties, I was always careful not to drink too much. I didn’t quite trust him not to take advantage of me.
It was yet another red flag I turned a blind eye to.
I slant a look at Austin. Maybe he lashed out because of hurt feelings, but even then, he wasn’t intent on inflicting damage. A chill slides through me, thinking about what Jasper would have done had the situation been reversed. There’s no doubt in my mind that he would have burnt the school to the ground along with everyone in it.
That’s exactly the kind of person he is.
Unwilling to dwell on those disturbing thoughts, I shove them away. We’re here to have fun. I want this to be a fresh start. One where we can let go of the past and move forward.
I glance at the crowd pressing in on us. My hope is that we don’t have to stay long. I’d much rather go somewhere quiet and continue getting to know one another.
As we push through the French doors onto the patio, the cool night breeze wafts over us. It makes me wish I’d worn a cozy sweatshirt instead of a thin sweater. Goose bumps ripple across my flesh as I lift my hands to rub my arms.
We dodge the pockets of people who are standing around and talking. A few notice Austin and attempt to wave him over. He doesn’t give them the time of day. I certainly can’t blame him for that. Most have been assholes. Unable to think for themselves, they’ve taken their lead from Jasper. It was even worse when Kingsley was against the twins.