Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“Um-hmm.”
“What are you doing?”
“Taking you home.”
“What time is it?”
I didn’t respond. I simply grunted, then started out the door. Her brows furrowed as she pushed, “Where have you been? Why didn’t you come back with the guys?”
I wouldn’t even look at her as I continued down the hall and into the bar.
“Um, Billy?”
Again, I didn’t respond, which didn’t seem to sit well with her. “Oh, it’s like that, huh? You just going to leave me for hours on end and then not speak to me?”
“Got nothing to say.”
Shaken by my harsh tone, she shimmied out of my arms, and without another word, she followed me out to the parking lot, pouting all the way. She didn’t say a word as I got on my bike and handed her the spare helmet. She simply glared at me as she slipped it on, then hopped on behind me.
I could’ve said something to ease the tension between us, but I was too fucking stubborn for that. Without saying so much as a word, I started the engine and pulled out of the clubhouse parking lot. Seconds later, we were on the main road and headed back to my place.
When we got back to the house, Everleigh followed me inside, then, without saying a word, went to her room and closed the door. I knew she wasn’t happy with me, but that was okay. I wasn’t exactly happy with her either.
After I locked everything up, I kicked off my shoes and fell into bed. Unlike earlier, I was able to drift right off to sleep, and I slept for hours. In fact, it was almost noon before I finally pulled myself out of bed. I brushed my teeth and threw on a pair of jeans before heading out to the kitchen.
Everleigh was sitting at the counter, and she didn’t take her eyes off me as I went over and poured myself a cup of coffee. I had no doubt that she was hoping to hash things out with me, but I wasn’t ready to talk. I needed time to collect my thoughts, so I didn’t end up saying something I’d regret.
So, I decided to put off talking to her and carried my coffee outside.
That was a decision I would soon regret.
EVERLEIGH
It was clear from his unwavering silence that Billy was upset with me. Heaven knows, he had every right to be mad at me, but I’d hoped that we could talk about it and try to sort things out. But every time I tried to approach him, he would find some excuse to disappear into the basement or slip outside to fish for hours on end.
It was frustrating the hell out of me, but I didn’t push. I hoped in time that he would finally open up, and we could put this whole thing behind us. But one hour rolled into the next, and he was still hellbent on avoiding me.
He was still giving me the silent treatment a day later.
I was at my wit's end when Kiersten and Country came by to drop off his truck. Kiersten pulled it up to the rear of the garage and got out, then waited for Country to park his bike behind her before heading up to the porch. I was sitting on the swing, and she came straight over to me and gave me a big hug. “Hey, girl. I was hoping you would be here.”
“Yeah, I haven’t run off just yet.” I glanced over at Billy, and my stomach sank when I saw that he had absolutely no reaction to my comment. “What are you two up to?”
“We had some things to tend to at the clubhouse and saw that Dad’s truck was still there, so we thought we’d drop it by.”
“I would’ve taken care of it.”
Kiersten looked at her father and smiled as she told him, “Yeah, but then we wouldn’t have an excuse to come out and see you.”
“Didn’t realize you needed an excuse,” Billy snipped.
“Whoa.” Kiersten’s eyes narrowed. “Someone’s in a mood.”
“No, I’m just stating a fact.”
“Yeah, you’re definitely in a mood,” Kiersten teased. “Maybe some coffee would help. You got any?”
“Yeah, I just made a pot.”
“Great. I could use a cup, too.”
Without waiting for an invitation, Kiersten opened the door and marched right into the kitchen. Country glanced over at Billy, then over to me. “You two good?”
“We’re fine,” Billy grumbled as he opened the door and stormed inside.
“Oh,” Country groaned. “It’s like that, huh?”
“Yeah, apparently, he’s pretty upset with me.”
“Apparently so.” He reached over and gave me a consoling pat on the shoulder. “But don’t worry. Even a man as stubborn as Billy will give in at some point.”
“I don’t know. He’s really digging his heels in on this.” I felt my throat tighten as I told him, “It makes me wonder if I should give the guy a break and just go.”