Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 57201 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57201 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
“I did. I told him Jeff had nothing to gain by lying and he didn’t. Besides, Jeff would never betray me like that.”
“Hmmm…”
“What does that mean?” I ask, sparing a glance at her before turning my attention back to the road.
“Well, I mean, it is kind of strange that Jake picked your wedding to show up if he had known about Lennon all along.”
“No, it’s not. Jake is an asshole. That’s all there is to it.”
“Maybe, but what if he’s telling the truth. What if all these years he had no idea?”
“That’s insane. Jeff wouldn’t do that. Why on earth would he?”
“Well, he was dead set against you talking to Jake. Maybe if he let you think Jake didn’t want to be in Lennon’s life that it would give him more time to make you fall in love with him.”
“That’s crazy. You’re sounding like Jake and it’s just not true. Besides, if Jeff was so desperate to have my love, why isn’t he here now? Better yet, why would he tell Jake right before our wedding if he really wanted to be with me?”
“Those are good questions, Katie, but I have one even better.”
“What’s that,” I frown, only half listening because a car is barreling around us, going at least ninety. This idiot is one reason while I don’t like driving on the interstate at all.
“I’m just wondering why when I asked you who held the biggest part of your heart, you automatically began talking about Jake and not the man you were about to marry not so long ago.”
Her words feel like a physical blow. It’s like the pain hits so strongly that my heart feels as if it stops beating. Shit, my mind did go to Jake first. I was marrying Jeff. I should have thought of him first… Right?
“Oh, God,” I whisper, shame, fear, and this deep-seated feeling of inevitability hits me.
“It’s okay, honey. The heart wants what the heart wants,” she says, patting my hand.
“Mom!”
“Honey, it will all work—”
“No! Hold on, that car that passed us isn’t stopping. He’s going to hit the truck that’s stopped because of traffic,” I explain. I slam on my brakes and swerve into the far lane since it’s free. I fight with the wheel but just as I think I might avoid the wreck altogether, the car in front of me turns sideways like it’s trying to hit the cement divider of the lane. Then, it goes into a slide as if they pulled their emergency brake. All at once it’s facing me and aimed directly at my passenger side.
I don’t stop to think. I cut deeply so that the brunt of the hit will hit my side of the car. I hear Mom scream. “No! Katie!”
Then, there is the sound of metal on twisted metal. I close my eyes as glass breaks around me and then everything goes dark.
CHAPTER 22
Jake
“Is he out?” Mom asks, as I come out of Lennon’s room.
I smile. “Yeah. He played so hard he’s worn out. I hope Katie doesn’t get upset he’s sleeping in the middle of the day.”
“Nah, Lennon always takes a nap—although it’s usually when he gets home from school. Still, you guys did a lot of work in the barn and then went riding. He needs a nap before dinner.”
“Yeah, he had fun today, didn’t he?”
“He did,” Mom laughs. “You look a lot more relaxed than you have the last couple of days,” she points out and I shrug.
“Lennon makes everything better.”
That’s not a lie and I’m hoping it’s enough to satisfy my mother. I should have known better.
“I was thinking it might have something to do with Katie.”
“Mom—”
“Mmm?”
I shake my head, not bothering to hide my smile. “Just stop.”
“I would, it’s just I noticed that when you came back inside after talking to her you were smiling.”
“That’s because I knew Lennon was here,” I point out.
“Okay, I can believe that. Of course, there’s also the fact that you stared out the window with a grin on your face as Katie pulled out of the driveway.”
“I did not,” I deny, but even I know that I probably did.
She laughs—which is Mom’s way of telling me I’m full of shit, without coming right out and saying it. “What I’m wondering is why Katie looked pissed when she left, and you looked relieved.”
“I’m not sure you want to hear this, Mom,” I respond as she walks over to the island and puts a cup of coffee down in front of me. She sets hers down on the counter and adds some sugar.
“Why wouldn’t I?” she asks, sitting down.
“Because it involves Katie, who was set to marry Jeff, remember?”
“Like I could forget,” she says with the wave of her hand. “I’m getting ready to lay some honesty down on you, son. Are you ready?”
“As I’ll ever be,” I mumble, sipping my coffee.