Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“It’s dead, so you’ll need to charge it.” The words barely leave my mouth before she snatches it from my palm, her eyes glued to the screen, seeing if there’s any life. “Hey!” I get her attention. “That whole drinking until we’re passed out better not happen again. Do you understand me?”
“Yeah, I won’t be doing that again. I was so sick yesterday,” she mumbles, shaking her head. Man, if I had a dime for every time I’ve said those words, I’d be rich as hell.
“Good,” I clip, rounding the counter.
“How did you and this girl even meet?”
“I heard a dog howling, so I looked out the window and saw her sitting outside. She saw me looking at her, so it would have been awkward not to go say hi.”
“Wait, she was howling? You mean like a dog?”
“Yeah. It sounded like a damn coyote on the front porch.”
That girl is peculiar for sure. She’s young and dressed in black from head to toe, and I don’t mean the way I see kids going into Hot Topic at the mall. She gives off more of the energy of a devil worshiper and now she’s acting like a dog? Hopefully she doesn’t talk Paige into meowing in the front yard. Though…that would be better than getting drunk. Wanting some fresh air and to see if any of the neighbors are out, I walk past the living room, tossing my mom’s blanket on the back of the couch, then open the front door. Warm air feathers the sweet scent of the neighbor’s tulips right into my house. I step outside and can’t help but look at my yard for beautiful foliage. It’s bare and in desperate need of something—a lot like the Gradys’ yard.
“Hey, Rain!” My eyes snap up, finding Tenly jogging up the road. Just seeing her “early bird gets the worm” energy makes me want to yawn. I look down at myself, brushing away the crumbs from my carb overload, and notice the cool pavement is actually hotter than hell and step into the grass. Her sports bra and elastic workout pants make her look more like a Nike model than someone trying to stay fit.
“Hey,” I respond, and she speed-walks to me.
Out of breath, she still manages to smile that big, white-teeth grin. She inhales, standing a little straighter. “Noticed a handsome man leaving your place last night. I thought you were divorced?” Her eyes rise with concern, but the smile on her face conveys she’s up for a saucy secret. Hoping the man leaving my house was there for promiscuous reasons.
“Um, yeah. I met someone. His name is Heston.” My brows furrow, and I cross my arms, feeling pushed into an uncomfortable corner. I mean, I don’t want her going off and telling people something horrible, so I need to make it known it’s someone I’m actually seeing and not a one-night stand. Not that any of this is her business.
“Mmm, does Heston look as good in daylight?” She laughs, and I lightly giggle as jealousy flares inside my chest.
“How did you meet? Was it romantic?” She reaches out, patting my arm for me to spill the details.
“I wouldn’t call it romantic.” I laugh. I can’t help it. “He kind of just crashed into my life.”
With her lips closed, she nods as if she understands what I’m saying, but she doesn’t because Heston literally crashed into me. I don’t know why I don’t just tell her, I guess because it’s kind of unique, the way we met, and something inside me doesn’t trust Tenly when it comes to unique guys.
Her eyes squint, trying to hide from the sun’s abrasive rays, and takes a step back like she’s leaving.
“You’ll have to introduce us sometime. You can’t keep him to yourself forever!” She points at me playfully, her grin wide, then turns and crosses the street to her house.
I shake my head, offering a small wave when she does before closing her door. I take the knob in my hand and twist the door open to go back inside. My phone rings, and I dig it out of my pocket. It’s the insurance company. Hopefully, they’re calling about getting me a rental.
Answering it, I say, “Hello?”
“Hello, Ms. Adler, how is your morning?” a polite female voice asks.
“I’m fine. Thanks.”
“So, I have it in our system that we’ll be dropping off a two thousand Voyager at the address given to us the day of the claim. We ask that you do not smoke, eat, drink, or have any pets in the vehicle. You are the only one permitted to drive, and you are responsible for any damage. Do you accept these requests?”
“Um, yeah. Sure.” I shrug, not really having a choice. I need a car.
“Perfect. If you have any questions, feel free to call us.”