Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 178(@200wpm)___ 142(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 178(@200wpm)___ 142(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
“Thank you.”
“You want to go to a hospital? I’ll get a car.”
“That’s sweet of you but I just want to go home.” I point to my building. She nods. “Thank you again.”
“Let me at least walk you in.”
“You don’t have to do that.” She gives me a look a parent might give you. “Okay.” She follows me in, opening the door for me. “This elevator goes straight to my place.” I slip the key in. The doors slide open. “Thank you again.”
“Be careful, Tinsley,” she says before she turns to leave. She pulls her hood back over her short blond hair. I step onto the elevator. Did I tell her my name? I must have. I step off the elevator, dropping my bag before I kick off my shoes. I keep walking down the hallway. I know no one else is here at this time. The staff will be gone by now and I know where Reed is. Unfortunately.
I pull my shirt off next. My knees are beginning to throb. I stop at Reed's room, pushing the door open. I go to his bathroom and grab the first aid kit that’s in the cabinet. I set it next to the tub turning on the water before stripping out of the rest of my clothes. I glance down at my knees.
This is gonna hurt. Still not as much as Reed hurt me today.
11
Reed
“Are you not going to eat your fries?” James asks. I push them toward him. If Tinsley was here she would have dumped a giant pile of ketchup on my plate before I could protest. Then I would eat the fries because she gives me the biggest smile. I don’t know how but her smiles can warm the darkest parts of me.
I push my half-eaten steak away from me before picking up my water. “I’ve gotta go.” I push back from the chair, pulling my phone out.
“You lasted longer than I thought you would. Good luck, man. Maybe listen to some of the shit I told you.”
“Thanks.” I glance toward the window when I see a lightning flash. She better be home. I pick up my pace as I start to call her security. My phone rings before I can.
“She home?” I ask as I slip into the back of my town car. I mouth the word home to my driver.
“Yes. I watched her go up ten seconds ago.” Ten seconds. Why was she out so late? That’s so not like her. Could she have been upset that I cancelled tonight? “Sir, there’s more.”
“Faster,” I tell my driver, knowing her tone isn't good.
“She had a little bit of a fall when she started running to get out of the rain.”
“Is she okay? Why didn't you take her to the hospital?”
“She wouldn't let me. I helped her up and got her inside. She said she just wanted to go home. She looked all right but I think she got her knees pretty good.” My heart is pounding in my chest.
“Thanks.”
“Sir,” I hear her say before I end the call. “I think she might have been crying before she fell. I don’t know why. She was fine when she left the mall but she seemed to get upset about something the closer we got to your building. I might be wrong. It could have been the rain but I’m giving you a heads-up either way.”
“Thanks, King.” I end the call as my car pulls up out front. I’m out of the car before the driver can stop fully, running inside to the elevator. I’m going to have to give the new girl a raise. She’s been watching my Tinsley closely. Even gauging her moods.
The doors slide open. I step off the elevator, almost kicking her bag. I’ll get it later. I’m guessing she’s in her room. I head down the hallway seeing a trail of clothes that stop at my bedroom door, which is wide open. I can hear the sound of the tub running in my bathroom. I stand outside for a few moments debating what to do.
When I hear her sniffle I break, rushing into the bathroom. She’s got her head down with her knees pulled to her chest. I can see her whole body shaking. Her cries may be silent but I hear them loud and clear. Her knees are covered in scratches she still hasn't cleaned.
I unbutton my shirt, pulling it off. Next go my shoes and pants. I leave on my boxer briefs. She lifts her head, finally hearing me. Her pretty blue eyes go wide in shock.
“What are you doing here?” Her face is red from crying. The burn in my chest grows worse.
“I’m where I’m supposed to be.” I step into the bathtub. I slide the first aid kit over so I can reach it before I grab her, pulling her into my arms. She doesn't fight me. She rests her head on my shoulder. I sit there for a moment telling myself she’s okay.