Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23100 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23100 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
“It’s okay. I just wanted to check on you.” He looks away like he’s just as embarrassed as I am, but the fact that he came back to make sure I’m okay says a lot about him. “My mom wouldn’t tell me what you guys talked about.”
I laugh and shake my head. “It’s girl stuff.” I shrug, but he doesn’t seem happy with that answer.
“We don’t have secrets,” he says, but he doesn’t push it. “I brought you this.” He holds out a little bag and I take it from him. “My dad said it’s what he gets my mom when it’s that, um, time of the month.”
I look inside the bag and see a bunch of huge chocolate bars and I smile up at him. “Thank you.”
He looks anywhere but at me and then clears his throat. “You’re welcome,” he says as he pulls something out of his pocket. “I also brought you this.” He holds out the diamond ring and I smile at him. He gave it to me last week, too, when I fell and skinned my knee at the park.
“Your mom was so nice to me tonight. I don’t want her to get mad,” I say, and I hesitate to take it.
“She left it on the kitchen counter. I think she knew I was going to take it,” he says and shrugs.
“Okay,” I say as I slip it on my finger. It always makes me feel better when he gives it to me.
“Anyway, I’ll see you in the morning, right?” He smiles, and all the clouds from before when he was worried about me are gone.
“Yeah,” I say, and he waves as he runs off through the field back to his house.
Chapter 3
Cami
Seventh grade…
I open my eyes when a shadow blocks out the sun. I look up to see Reed standing over me with a cupcake in hand and a single lit candle in it.
“Happy birthday, Dimples,” he says, and I smile at him as I sit up.
It’s summer break and Reed and I have been lying next to the pool. When we’re not with the horses we are usually spending our time out here. Too bad summer is almost over and it’s back to middle school for the two of us. The same fear I always have is tickling the back of my mind.
“You remembered?” I ask in surprise as he gets on his knees next to me.
“You think I’d forget your birthday?”
I shake my head. “Of course not. You never forget anything,” I laugh, but he doesn't. Not only is Reed handsome, popular, and sweet, he’s really smart, too. His family is exactly the same and it’s almost too perfect to be real.
“Not when it comes to you,” he says, and it makes my stomach flutter. “Now make a wish.”
He holds up the cupcake for me and I close my eyes. I think for only a quick second before I blow out the candle.
“That was fast.” He takes the candle out and hands it over to me. I lick the icing off before he puts it down on the ground next to us.
“I already know what I want.” It’s the only thing I ever wish for and that’s to stay here forever.
Reed peels off the paper from the cupcake and hands it to me. “You’re not going to tell me?”
“Nope.”
I take a giant bite of the cupcake then hold it out for him. He smiles before taking a bite and we polish it off in no time.
“Did he forget?” Reed asks.
“It’s no big deal,” I rush to say, but I don’t know why I always defend my dad.
I’m embarrassed he could so easily forget about my birthday, but when it comes to people he isn't the best. When it comes to animals there’s no one else better than him.
“It’s a big fucking deal.”
“Reed,” I scold, looking around to see if anyone hear him curse.
“It’s bullshit. It’s your birthday.” He stands up and I have to fight a smile at how mad he looks.
It makes me happy how much he cares. If it wasn't for the Sanders family I wouldn't have anyone that really cares. I’m not sure my dad has the capacity to do more than just keep me alive. He’s not mean, he just doesn't really have any emotion. He can go days without speaking and not even notice he did it.
“Why are you smiling?” He looks down at me with a stern face.
I guess fighting my smile isn't working. I watch as one side of his mouth starts to pull up and I know now he’s fighting a smile, too. He always looks handsome when he laughs, which is something I’ve noticed a lot lately; I’m also not the only girl noticing either. Thankfully he’s not aware of it. At least not yet.