Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Throwing my head back, I laugh. This day just keeps getting better.
Her face pales, and her eyes narrow. “I fail to see what’s funny, Brett. I was trying to be there for you because I know,” she snarls. Her face, which I once thought pretty, twists into an ugly grimace. It’s almost comical, like I’m in a comic book, and the villain transforms into an ugly monster that wants to destroy the world, except this particular monster wants to destroy mine, and that I won’t allow.
“Skylar, I have no idea what exactly you think you know. But I can tell you to stay out of my life. It won’t end well. Trust me on that.” My voice stays flat, and she takes a step back as if she wasn’t expecting that.
“But I know.”
“Then tell.”
She blinks. “Wait. Do you even understand what I’m saying?” Her voice goes up an octave as her hands become animated.
“I don’t care. Do what you’ve got to do.”
When I walk around her, she spins and reaches for me. “Wait, Brett…”
I keep walking, smiling at people, ignoring the pulse pounding in my temple. Approaching Jett, I take his drink and nod at Reed and Tess.
“Tess, Raven, looking gorgeous, as usual.” My voice remains tight.
Jett and Reed stare at me.
“You okay, man?” Reed looks around as if some magical sign will pop up and tell him why I’m in a mood.
“Fine,” I respond, hissing out the fumes of bourbon. I’ve been neighbors with Reed since he bought one of the most sought-after and expensive properties in Malibu, but we go back before that.
“Brett?” Tess moves closer, her hand on my bicep as she looks up at me. “Are you sick?” And for a second, I think she might check my forehead for a fever.
“He’s fine.” Reed rolls his eyes and pulls his wife close to him. “Maybe lay off the booze, brother. I mean, you are the man of the hour. Soak it up. It doesn’t get much better than this.” He grins, motioning to the room of leeches.
“Yeah, I’m thinking you stay with Raven and me tonight. Did you drive?” Jett stares at me with a frown.
“I’m fine,” I growl, swinging my gaze to his.
“Raven, why don’t you have Iain bring the car out front.” Jett shakes his head at me, then looks down at his wife warmly. Much like Tess, she’s staring at me as though I’m a rare and special creature in a zoo.
“Yeah, I think you might be right.” She nods.
“I said I’m fine.” I grimace at Jett.
My brother just grins. I swear to God, does everyone just want me to kick their ass?
“Brett?” Tess’s voice makes me slowly turn to her stunning face. I used to hang out with her when she first moved to LA, before she got back with Reed. Nothing ever happened romantically, but she’s a good friend.
“Raven and I were thinking.” She cocks her head at me, as if making sure I’m listening to her.
“Yeah?” I prompt.
“Well, since we already know you’re gonna get the Nobel Prize, we thought we would throw a party in Stockholm… you know, after the ceremony. What do you think? Get a huge place, we can all hang out, and you can do all that extreme sport stuff you love. I know Luke and Lilly would love it.” She looks so sincere that for a second, I don’t even compute what she’s saying.
“You do know you two just jinxed me, but sure, whatever, I don’t care,” I tell her as she laughs.
“Oh dear, maybe he does need to stay at your place.” Tess looks at Jett.
“Okay, Iain is out front,” Raven announces.
“Good seeing you, man,” Reed says.
That’s followed by a muffled, “Oh my God, I think Brett met someone,” from Tess.
I’m about to explain I have not when Raven loops her arm with mine.
“Ready?” She smiles up at me. Jett’s hand on my shoulder annoys me, and I shrug it off.
“Raven, tell your husband to go. I’m getting another drink.” Stopping midstride, I narrow my eyes on Skylar and David Staple standing in the corner, talking like fucking rats.
“Jett? How much time would I get if I beat that man to a bloody pulp?” I point at David as Raven grabs my arm to bring it down. David’s eyes widen, but he keeps talking to Skylar.
“Let’s go,” Jett hisses, and I grin at them.
“Lay it on me. I’m right here,” I call out to both of them, who simply stare, although Skylar smiles.
“Goddammit,” Jett snaps. “I swear to God, Brett, walk away. You’re bringing attention to us.”
I ignore him. All sound in the room seems muted, and I smile back at her and let out a laugh. Fuck them all. The way I feel right now, I could take this whole room down.
ALEXANDREA
Blowing out some air, I pull into the driveway of the address Raven gave me and wait as a man in a dark suit walks over to my car and motions for me to roll down my window.