Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50689 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50689 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
I agree because I know if I don’t she’ll keep me on the phone the whole time she goes to the store and the drive over. “I promise. No more crying... at least until I’m halfway through the gallon of ice cream.”
“Deal. Go get ready.”
I tell her to be careful and then hang up the phone.
I gather everything I need to spend the night. I change the sheets and make the bed before taking my bag downstairs. I’m pacing the entryway when I remember the gift that I have for Lucas that is hidden in the back of the closet.
I run back up the steps and into his room. I grab the stuffed bear, cradling it fondly in my arms before placing it against the pillows of the made bed. It may have been a crazy thought, but I think it’s something he would want regardless of what happens between us now. The gift looks almost childish on the king size bed with designer blankets and pillows, but I remind myself that it’s the thought that counts. And even if I’m mad and hurt right now... I still want him to have this.
Lucas
I shouldn’t have left the way I did.
That’s what I keep telling myself the whole way to the airport. I’m sitting in the back of the Town Car with Kelly. The plan was for her to fill me in on everything I need to know for this trip on the way to the air strip, but so far, I haven’t been able to focus. I’m too eaten up with guilt.
I close my eyes, and images of Isabella fill my head. Flashes from last night when I was too rough with her. I saw the bruises on her body this morning when I woke up. I was physically ill knowing that I’d put those marks on her. She has to hate me. Fuck, I know I do.
The look she gave me in the kitchen this morning, I wanted to say more, and then I saw the bruising on her thighs glaring back at me. I don’t deserve her.
“Lucas... are you even listening to me?”
I shake my head, trying to force thoughts of Bella away, but I know it’s worthless. “Yes, I’m listening.”
She leans over and puts her hand on my knee. “Look, it’s been a rough few days for you. I think it’s best if I just go with you. We can do the meeting and then maybe sightsee while we’re there.”
I frown down at her hand on me. I have the same pit in my stomach that I had when she hugged me at the house today. She was only trying to show her condolences—or at least I thought she was—but as her hand rubs my knee, I’m wondering if that is the case. I lift her hand by the wrist and remove it from my leg. I turn to her but scoot back to put more distance between us. “So tell me again, what’s the issue with the Vegas stores?”
She shrugs, and her eyes shift. “Jim is getting antsy. I’m sure he’s worried about how everything is going to play out since your dear grandmother passed away.”
I frown. “Uh, Jim’s never met Granny. He came on after my brothers and I took over from our dad. I’m surprised he’d be threatening to pull...”
She lifts her hand to reach for me, but I tilt my head and glare. She puts her hand back in her lap. “I’m sure once we get there, we can smooth things over. It will all work out.”
I pull my phone from my pocket. I search through my contacts and find Jim Baker and call him. I put the phone on speaker, and the look on Kelly’s face gives me all the explanation I need. Her eyes are round in shock, and her mouth is hanging open.
Jim answers on the first ring. “Lucas, I didn’t expect to hear from you. I’d heard about Lottie. On behalf of my family, let me offer our prayers and condolences.”
“Thank you, Jim, I appreciate that. I was hoping to talk to you about your Vegas stores. Do you have a minute?”
Jim cuts me off. “Now, Lucas. I know you don’t want to be working right now. You need to take a few days off, son. You need to process everything. We had a late shipment, but I told Kelly we found out it was because a truck broke down. We were able to go get the product, and everything worked out. I don’t want you to worry about a thing.”
We’re pulling up to the airstrip, and I frown at Kelly. “So everything else is good? No problems?”
He laughs. “You know me, Lucas. If there was one, I’d shoot you straight with it. We’re good, and I look forward to seeing you next month. You still coming out west then?”