Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 106346 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 532(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106346 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 532(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
“So your assignment is to play a video game?” I ask, my foot moving back and forth as he glares at me.
“There is a lot more than just playing a video game, sweetheart,” he says, and I shake my head and take a piece of salad, hoping the conversation ends.
“Mom, there is so much more to playing the game.” Dylan copies Justin’s words. “That is so cool.”
“This steak is so tender,” I say, changing the subject and hoping that Dylan forgets.
“It’s the best,” he says, chewing on his last piece. “So can I stay with Justin?”
“Dylan, I don’t think …” I start to say and look for Justin to help me out, but he just leans back in his chair and puts his hands on the arms of the chair, making his shirt go tight across his chest.
“Why?” he asks, and I sit in the chair and look at him. “Why don’t you guys sleep here?”
“Um, no,” I say the same time that Dylan says, “Yes!”
“Hear me out,” he says, and I want to hurt him, but then I want to kiss him again.
“You guys sleep here tonight,” he says, and I shake my head. “Then tomorrow, I can stay with Dylan, and you can go to work, and then we can have movie night.”
“That,” Dylan says. “Let’s do that, Mom. Please,” he begs, then he turns to Justin. “Can I have more steak?”
“Sure, buddy,” he says, taking a steak and cutting it on his plate.
“We can’t just stay here,” I tell them.
“Why not?” Dylan asks, eating a piece of steak.
“Yeah, why not?” I glare at Justin’s question.
“Well, for one, we don’t have any clothes.” I start with the obvious.
“I can lend you something to sleep in,” Justin says.
“Well, I need clothes for work tomorrow,” I say.
“I can lend you something, and you can swing by your place before work,” Justin says, and I want to tell him no.
“The bus ride alone is going to be …” I start saying, and he shuts it down.
“You aren’t taking the bus. You can take the SUV,” he says, and I want to hit the table and tell him to stop it.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” I say softly.
“Why?” he asks. “I have two extra bedrooms. You can each take a room.”
“Justin,” I say, and he looks at me, trying not to smile.
“Besides, I want Dylan to help me with my game,” he says softly, and I look at the man who has taken my son under his wing and has included him in every single direction we are going. It’s overwhelming, and I put my napkin down and get up.
“Excuse me,” I say, trying to walk away so he doesn’t see the tears in my eyes. I walk inside, and I’m looking for the bathroom when I accidentally walk into his room. I turn to walk back out and face-plant in his chest.
“Are you okay?” he asks, his hands holding my arms. I look up, and it’s the wrong thing to do because he makes me want to take all the leaps. He makes me want to do all these things I said I would never do. He makes me want all the tomorrows. He makes me want it all, and I know that even if I guard myself, I’ll fall for him, and I’m not sure I can survive him leaving.
“No,” I say, moving out of his touch. “I’m not okay.”
“Why?” he asks, and I lift my arms up as if he should know.
“Us staying here,” I say. “Dylan falling in love with you.”
He waits for me to finish. “It’s just … it’s not just me I have to worry about.”
“I will never ever hurt him,” he says softly. “Never. You never have to worry about that.” And I know by his tone that he would never hurt him.
“Let me in.”
“Letting you in isn’t what I’m worried about anymore,” I say, and it’s the truth. “It’s about surviving after.”
“You’ll never know unless you take that chance,” he says, and I have to avert my eyes. “I’ve never had anyone in my house before.” I look at him with shock all over my face. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’ve dated. But here”—he points at the floor—“this is mine, and I wasn’t about to bring anyone in here that I didn’t think deserved to be here.”
“You’ve known me a week,” I say.
“And I would have brought you here the day I met you,” he says and then comes to me. “I want to date you, and that means you coming over.”
“What else does dating entail?” I place my hands on his chest, the feel of his heart beating under my palms.
“It entails doing stuff for each other,” he says.
“You don’t need me for anything,” I say.
“That’s not true,” he says. “If I asked you to do something for me, would you say no?” I roll my eyes, and he laughs. Arm around me, he pulls me in for a hug, and my hands go around his waist. “How about you stay here tonight? Tomorrow, you can get up, go to your place to change, and then pack a bag.”