Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 142764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Ain’t that the truth?
Seb turns, exchanging conversation with another man. He smiles, and it appears things are going well until Drew’s father intervenes, clapping him on the back to face away.
I jerk my chin to the pair. "What do you think that's about?"
"Who fucking knows. My father is still trying to court himself into Sebastian’s good graces."
I snort. "Seb hates your father, and I think it started long before I entered the picture, or he took over the family."
"Something my father hasn't figured out yet. It’s fine. He’ll have to figure it out the hard way. If there’s one thing you need to know about Sebastian, it’s that he’s as cunning as he is handsome. He will cut you with the same hand he uses to wipe away your tears. I’ve known him since we were in grade school, and while I’m not afraid of him, I fully believe he would kill and burn the world to the ground to protect those he cares about.”
The opportunity to respond is ripped away from me when Sebastian’s icy voice falls over the room. "Fuck you, Marshall. You have a lot of fucking balls to ask me that after everything you've done." Everyone turns to look at what’s going on. Seb throws up his chin and glares down his nose at Drew's dad. "You're nothing to me, Marshall. You or your family."
Drew stiffens beside me, and I can't help but fold under the attention that is turned on us with the release of that statement.
Shit. This isn't good.
Drew’s dad draws himself off, his shoulders roll back, and there’s a predatory scowl etched into his face. My heart cinches in my chest, as he leans into Sebastian and whispers something. I have no clue what he says. All I know is that Sebastian’s expression gives nothing away.
I'm frozen. What the hell do I do? There is no choice to be made, not when Sebastian makes it for me. He sets his glass down on a passing tray and turns to face me in the crowd.
Our gazes collide, and I know without words being spoken that he wants me to come with him. I give Drew an apologetic look, and he releases me from his grasp, his touch ghosting against my bare skin. I hate leaving his side, but I can’t stay here without Sebastian.
The crowd parts for me, and when I reach my brother, he wraps a protective arm around me.
“If she’s trash, then I’m trash as well,” Sebastian announces, loud enough that everyone within earshot can hear. An embarrassment of heat climbs up my neck and into my cheeks. He leads us out the door, and I hold my breath waiting for something, anything to happen, but it doesn’t.
No one says a word, nor do they try to stop us. We are in the car before I realize I'm still holding the whiskey glass in my shaking hand and I know from that moment on nothing will ever be the same.
27
DREW
If she’s trash, then I’m trash as well.
I can barely contain the smile that graces my lips due to Sebastian's closing remarks. He really knows how to bust my father’s balls, and while I know I’ll be paying the price for this stunt at some point, I enjoy the satisfaction of watching the man who thinks he’s king of all crumble.
Sebastian’s departure inspires a few others to leave, and they each cast disparaging glances toward my father as they walk out. No doubt dear ol’ dad is keeping a tally of each person who follows him. That’s fine though, while he's busy glaring at all his guests, it gives me the opportunity I need to leave as well and I’m beyond ready to get out of here. The only way I managed to stay this long was because of Bel.
Now that she's gone, and I’ve already checked on Mom, I can leave.
I weigh my options. I could head back to The Mill for the night, but I didn’t get to have the conversation I wanted to have with Bel. I had hoped to tell her everything, to spill my guts to her, sharing my past and darkest secrets, giving her a way to understand why I’m the way that I am. This fucked-up, psychotic asshole.
My end goal is her. For us to be together, and for there to be no more secrets between us. I want what we had before. I want her to look at me like she used to, like she can’t bear to be away from me, and she can’t wait to see me again.
The night air is cold, and I stuff my hands into my pockets while I wait for the ride app to show up. I need to have this conversation with her and make it clear that I’m ready to move forward.