Total pages in book: 185
Estimated words: 191421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 957(@200wpm)___ 766(@250wpm)___ 638(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 191421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 957(@200wpm)___ 766(@250wpm)___ 638(@300wpm)
Somewhere along the way, while he was talking, rasping, my belly has bottomed out. It’s fallen through my body and it’s like I’m in the air.
I’m flying.
There’s wind beneath my feet and I don’t think I’m coming down any time soon.
Not with the way he’s watching my lips.
My mouth.
As if he’s the one who misses my laughter and not Lucas.
“Reign,” I whisper.
His eyes snap up and as soon as they look into mine, his jaw clenches. “It’s hard for him. So I bet it’s hard for you too.” Then, after a pause, “Is it?”
“Yes,” I somehow manage to say even though I’m still reeling and breathless.
Another clench. “You miss him, huh.”
“A lot.”
“A lot.”
I nod.
“So maybe you found a way to make it easy.”
“What?”
“Maybe,” he drawls, “you found someone to make it easy.”
“S-someone?”
This time, the pulse on his jaw lingers longer, turning all his features harsh, his eyes all violent. “Who is he?”
“Who’s who?”
“The asshole who keeps sniffing around you.”
“What asshole? What are you talking about?”
“At the school library.”
“At the school…” Then, “Are you… Are you talking about Evan?”
“Is that what his name is? Fucking Evan.”
“How do you… How do you know about Evan?” I ask, studying his face in return. When his nostrils flare and a muscle jumps on his cheek at ‘Evan,’ I continue, “Are you… Are you like, spying on me? Is that how you know about my birthday cake and the party and… and Evan.”
Oh my God, I’m…
He’s...
He’s a freaking stalker. He’s a freaking criminal.
Bandit.
“Relax,” he drawls, probably reading how horrified I am on my face. “Your boyfriend has a big mouth when it comes to you and your mundane fucking life. And as for spying on you, I make sure to keep tabs on things that matter. And you do. To my best friend. Unfortunately. And it’s a good thing too, isn’t it? Because now I know.”
“You know what?” I snap.
“Why it’s too fucking soon.”
“And why is it too fucking soon, Reign?”
“It’s too fucking soon, Echo, because you’re stepping out on my best friend, aren’t you?”
Maybe if he’d said it in a different way, in a way not so hostile or in a way that doesn’t make it seem like he’s talking about himself. Like I’m stepping out on him and not on his best friend, and that’s why he’s so freaking angry.
Then I probably wouldn’t have done what I did.
I probably wouldn’t have raised my arm, my palms wide open, so I could smack his face.
But I did and no, I don’t manage to.
Slap him I mean.
Because he stops me mid-strike.
My wrist being caught in a tight grip.
His grip.
“How dare you?” My chest is heaving. “How fucking dare you? You’re an asshole.”
“And you still haven’t answered my question.”
“Because it’s a bullshit question.” Before he can say anything else, I get up in his face and continue, “And where do you get off asking me questions? When you’re the one who’s always tried your best to take him away from me. Weren’t you the one who got him drunk at the Halloween party that one time? You were the one who set girls on him so he’d step out on me.”
He makes a face like he doesn’t know what I’m talking about. “What?”
“Don’t lie to me. I know what you did.”
He stares at me a beat, still looking clueless but then speaks. “I have no idea what the fuck you’re talking about and I’ve got no interest in finding out. Because we have more important matters to discuss, don’t you think? Now answer the fucking question.”
“No.” I clench my teeth. “Because as I said, it’s a bullshit question. Especially coming from you. Especially when I’d never, not ever, do anything to hurt Lucas.”
As soon as I say it, I realize that I shouldn’t have.
I shouldn’t have said that last part because it’s not true, is it?
I did do something to hurt him.
I refused to give him what he asked for.
I ran away.
“But then you did, didn’t you?” he says, digging his fingers into my wrist.
His words make my eyes sting. “Evan is a guy I tutor. Like I did with Lucas. I meet up with him at the library three times a week so we can go over his assignments and class work. There’s nothing…”
I shake my head, breathing in deeply. “I wouldn’t do that. To Lucas. I love him. I love him more than I could ever imagine loving someone. And yes, this last year has been hard. I miss him so much it hurts. It makes me ache. But not once, not for a single moment, did I think about going behind his back. I-I could never… I’m not like that. But apparently, I am because… Because look what I did. Tonight. Instead of appreciating that he left everything and drove down just to surprise me, I broke his heart. And I don’t even know how to make it right because I… I felt so suffocated.”