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)
“Are you going back out on the circuit?”
“It’s my job man. It’s the only thing I’ve ever been good at in life. I’m at the top now, though. I don’t have to accept every rodeo. I can stick to the tour and do it for the points. Eventually I could go to being a color announcer. I’d be in the sport but with less demand. I’d be okay with that.”
“Have you talked to Katie about that?”
“Hell, no.”
“Why on earth not?”
“Reed, she was scared to death after one kiss. If I start telling her plans for the future, how do you think she will react?”
“Considering your history together, I’d say she might just relax and stop worrying.”
“Right,” I mock. “You always were a dreamer, buddy.”
“It’s worked out well for me, I’d say.”
“Yeah. I’m sorry I didn’t take part in your wedding. I really am glad things have worked out for you and Callie.”
“That’s my fault. I was in the wrong. I should have told you about Lennon. Katie was in such a bad state, I couldn’t. Still, I know that wasn’t fair to you. I was just trying to do what was best for everyone and lost sight of the fact that I should have had your back over everything else.”
“I can see after reading the letter how you felt you were doing the right thing,” I allow. I still have anger, but I’m learning to let it go. Well, at least all of it that’s not directed at my brother.
“I’ve missed you, brother.”
“Same,” I admit.
“Friends again?”
“Always.”
“Then, as your friend, I say be honest with Katie and tell her what you want and what you’re planning.”
“That’s easier said than done,” I mumble with a sigh and Reed slaps me on the back.
He probably thinks I’m kidding, but sadly I’m not. The thought of telling Katie exactly what I want feels like an impossible task.
CHAPTER 30
Katie
“Thanks for this, Callie.”
“Oh, stop. I love helping you. Besides if the roles were reversed, you’d be the first to step up to help me.”
“I would. This is just so frustrating. I hate not being able to do anything for myself. Do you know how humbling and embarrassing it is that Jake has to wheel me to the bathroom and shift me over to the toilet.”
“There’s worse things than having a hot guy looking after you, Katie.”
I sigh. She’s both right and wrong. I don’t know where I’d be without Jake right now. I’m also fighting my attraction to him. You would think after all this time the chemistry between the two of us would be dead—not smoldering and ready to roar back to life. He nearly destroyed me once. I must be the world’s biggest fool to have a heart that still wants him after all this time.
But I do.
“Shit,” I hiss.
“Katie?” I look up at my friend. She’s always been here for me, even when I was a bitch. I’d be lost without her. I mean, not many friends who would help their whiney best friend shower and shave her legs at eleven at night.
“I still have feelings for Jake,” I confess quietly as I finish towel drying my body.
“Honey, of course you do. Everyone knows that.”
“Everyone? Who is everyone?” I ask in a panic.
“Relax. I’m talking about me and Reed, Barb, and Hazel. We’re your family. We love you.”
“Jesus, you’re all discussing me?”
“We’re worrying and silently cheering. We want you to be happy, Katie.”
“Did you ever think that being happy just isn’t in the cards for me, Callie? Not everyone has a Reed Lane prepared to make their dreams come true.”
“You’re right. You don’t have a Reed. There’s only one of those and he’s all mine,” she practically giggles.
“God, you’re so happy I wouldn’t be surprised if unicorns come flying out of your butt,” I mutter and that makes her cackle.
“Unicorns?” she says when she can finally catch her breath. Heck, I’m miserable and I laugh along with her. There’s something about Callie that makes her happiness contagious—maybe because she’s been through so much and fought to have it all.
“Either that or fairies trying to spread their pixie dust everywhere.”
“I used to think that of the two of us, I had the better imagination. It’s kind of weird to find out that after all this time it’s you,” Callie mumbles, walking over to my chest. “Your night clothes still the second drawer down?”
“Yeah. I guess I haven’t changed much around here since we were kids.”
“Oh please, it hasn’t been that long since I’ve spent the night here.”
“It feels like a lifetime. So much has changed.”
“So much hasn’t,” she argues, walking back with some clothing in her arms. “You and I are still here together, still best friends and still in love with the same men.”
“Woah, back up. I said I still have feelings for Jake. I didn’t mention love.”