Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 114647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 459(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 459(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
Since I was across the room seated in a chair nearest the door, I could see when James’ eyes closed and he sighed. Desire to be there completely gone, I got up as quietly as I could, and slipped out the door. I didn’t even make the stupid little cowbell that signaled the door-opening clang.
I walked purposefully to my truck.
I ignored Gabe, Max and Jack who were both lounging on their motorcycles. I ignored the shout of my name. I ignored everything except the steady staccato of my flip-flop covered feet making the slick-slack sound against the paved sidewalk.
Once I reached my truck, I opened it with the key, slammed the door behind myself, and left the parking lot as sedately as I could.
One thing I knew for sure as I drove out of the parking lot. I wasn’t going to deal with that shit every time Jolie showed up. It was either her or me, because I knew damn well that James would expect the same of me if the situation were reversed. I’d been put last too many times in my life. I could see if it were his child, because children needed that from a parent. However, Jolie was no child. Not even close.
Chapter 13
I’m wearing black until they make something darker.
-T-shirt
James
“You fucked up.” Max said from behind me.
I turned from watching Jolie drive away to Max, who was still leaning against his bike casually. His legs were crossed at the ankle, and his arms were crossed tightly against his chest. Jack and Gabe were in similar positions, both watching me with the same frown of disproval.
“What?” I asked, completely and utterly exhausted.
All I wanted to do was see my kid, and take a seat on the couch with my two girls and watch another stupid movie. As long as it wasn’t Frozen.
“Going to that bitch over Shiloh.” Gabe drawled.
My brows drew together in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“We’re talking about that woman rushing to your rescue, calling your goddamn lawyer, pulling some of her only connections with the few cops she’s made friends with in her short time here to get you out. Yet, you let her leave with a beaten look dominating her pretty little face.”
My stomach dropped, and I remembered in that instant that I thought I smelled the soft scent of her perfume in the police station’s lobby. Yet, when I’d turned around, I’d only seen the door closing softly, and I’d put it out of my mind as Jolie rambled on and on about how awful it was that I’d been arrested.
Setting her away from me as quickly as I could, she’d then started rambling on and on about how someone had been stalking her. Which was how she’d learned I was arrested in the first place. She’d come down to the station to file a report, and had overheard it from the desk clerk.
I’d practically had to drag her to her car. Although I was sympathetic with her plight, I’d had a rough day myself, and I wasn’t up to listening to her incessant whining today. However, she’d showed up more and more over the past two months, and I was at the point where I didn’t want to put up with her at all. I’d thought I’d been lucky that Shiloh didn’t see Jolie launch herself into my arms. Now I knew I wasn’t lucky.
“Fuck,” I growled, eyes pointed at the bright blue sky.
The clouds were moving quickly, which inevitably meant that we were on the verge of another thunderstorm.
“You could say that again.” Max agreed.
“I didn’t want her to touch me. She keeps bugging the absolute shit out of me. But I can’t tell her to stop. It’s like kicking a fucking puppy. She looks up at you with those big brown eyes and really pours it on until you cave. She’s relentless.” I said, exasperated at the situation.
“Well, you’re going to have to do something about it. Shiloh said something to Winter the other day about her. I only walked in on the end of their conversation before they both stopped talking, but from what I heard, she really dislikes the woman.”
“Amen.” Max growled, looking away.
Thinking she needed some time to calm down, I decided to go check on my girl, and then I’d go searching for Shiloh.
“Were you able to get my bike?” I asked my friends that were currently avoiding eye contact.
“No, you’re more than welcome to ride bitch though.” Jack rasped.
I eyed him for a few moments, but decided it wasn’t worth it. Fuck it. It was only about a two and a half miles from the gym. I was still in my gym clothes anyhow. Talk about embarrassing. I was in the process of benching two fifty when three cops poured into the weight area.
I’d known immediately that I wasn’t going to like what they’d have to say. So, I’d re-racked the weights, and then followed the cops out of the building where they’d proceeded to cuff me and stuff me into the back of the unmarked police car.
Without realizing I’d done so, I started jogging. It wasn’t until the gym, and my bike, came into view that I realized I’d made the ten minute jog to my bike without even saying goodbye to the friends that always had my back.
I knew they’d understand, and I didn’t dwell on the fact that they were probably concerned about me.
Straddling my bike, I pulled the key from around my neck and started the bike up. The low throaty roar soothed some of the frustration that was coursing through my veins as it usually did. When I’d gotten back from Iraq, the only thing that had calmed the nightmares enough was the roar of the bike, and the feel of the wind in my face.
I rode home, relishing the sun soaking into my skin, and the smell of the pine trees as they whizzed past me. Dark clouds gathered in the distance as I rode. My mind wasn’t the riot of emotions that it had been when I’d left the police station, but I kept feeling a sense of unease. As if something was about to happen that I wasn’t ready for.