Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45202 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45202 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
I’m lost in thought until I see Luciana blush and then cover the bruise on her face with her hand. It’s obvious she’s tried to cover it up with makeup again, but it’s still noticeable.
She shakes her head. “God, this is so embarrassing. My ex-fiancé got a little mad—”
I cut her off. “Don’t you dare be embarrassed. You don’t have a fuckin’ thing to be embarrassed about. He’s the one that should be ashamed. Give me a name and I’ll make sure he learns his lesson.”
I blurt it all out, probably a little louder than I should have. Gabe is a big man, but he stands up taller, chest puffed out. That’s one thing we definitely don’t approve of. You never lay a hand on a woman. Gabe cracks his knuckles. “Yeah, a name. I’ll help teach this lesson.”
Lucy holds her hands up, palms out. “I just want to forget it. It’s done, and it’s over.”
“But—” I start, and Lucy interrupts me.
“Dominic, I’m serious. I want to forget it.”
Reluctantly, I nod my head. “Fine. You need a ride home?”
She shakes her head. “No, Violet’s got me.”
Violet looks between Lucy and me. “But you said you were ready to go home. Josh texted and said he’s running late.”
I jump on that in an instant. “I can take you home.”
But Lucy is not having it. “No… I would walk before I’d let you take me home.”
Violet gasps, and Gabe and I sort of just look at Lucy with a little bit of shock. Lucy has always been known as the town sweetheart. She’s the girl next door that’s friends with everyone, and it’s not like her to be rude. But I know it’s only because it’s me and I deserve it.
She already feels guilty. “I already owe you for the car… I don’t want to be in debt to you more than I already am.”
I shake my head in forfeit. “You don’t owe me a damn thing, Lucy. I don’t want anything for the car.”
She just glares at me. “No, I don’t want you to give me a ride. How’s that? Plain enough for you?”
I nod, smirking even though it’s like a knife has been imbedded in my heart. “Yeah, I get it.”
The silence is deafening, and I know it’s because she was having a good time, and I had to come over here and ruin it. I take a step back from the table. “I’m going to take off. See you, Violet. Bye, Lucy.” I turn to my brother. “You need a ride?”
He shakes his head. “No, I’m going to hang out a bit.”
I nod, and without another glance at Lucy, I walk out of the bar. I would give anything to have Lucy as mine, but that ship has sailed. She has no interest in me, and I know I’m the one to blame for that. Now I just have to live with the consequences of my actions from seventeen years ago.
7
LUCIANA
“Damn, girl. That was harsh.”
I should have known Violet would call me out for my crappy behavior. I felt bad as soon as I said it. I know that Dominic is trying to be civil, but I’m still filled with anger and resentment from our past. I can’t just forget what he did to me and how he did it. But even knowing that, I still feel guilty. I deflate and lean back in my chair. “I know. I don’t know what it is, but as soon as I get around him, I turn into a mega bitch.”
Gabe has pulled up a chair and is sitting quietly watching me.
Under his intense stare, I ask him, “What? He deserves it.” But even saying it and feeling it, I still want to get up and run after Dom to apologize.
Gabe holds his hands up in defeat. “I didn’t say anything. He probably does deserve it.”
Violet just shakes her head. I know I’ve disappointed her, and it’s on the tip of my tongue to argue with Gabe and defend Dom. Damn, what the hell is wrong with me?
“How have you been, Lucy? You okay?”
Violet just shrugs and eats the chips, and there’s no way to avoid answering Gabe. “Well, up to last week, I would have said I was good. It sort of all imploded since then.” I gesture to him. “What about you? How have you been?”
He sits up a little taller. “Good. I’m a firefighter.”
I blurt out a laugh. “Firefighter? Aren’t you the one in high school that started that bonfire out at Old Mill road that caught half the mountain on fire?”
He just laughs. “Hell, I’m never going to live that shit down, am I?”
I shake my head. “What about your foster sister, Chrissy? How is she?”
His smile drops, and he clears his throat. “She’s good. She’s a nurse at Jasper Hospital.”