Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 59690 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 298(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59690 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 298(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
“That is outlandish,” he argued.
“Makes perfect sense to me,” Chase said.
“Doesn’t it?”
“I just want you to have the best life you could have.”
“Even if I believed that,” I said on a scoff, “which I do not, I’m telling you, that life is not for me. I’m in front of you right now, saying I want something else. And if it’s a mistake, then it’s my mistake to make.”
“I don’t have to accept that.”
I smiled, a deadly thing that I’d mastered from him. I might hate him, but he’d given me the teeth to see this conversation to its inevitable conclusion.
“You don’t get a say. Not anymore.”
“Your mother clearly thinks that I do. She was the one who called and told me what happened with your brothers.” He glanced at Chase’s black eye. “She was not pleased with any of this.” He tensed at his own words, and I saw what he wasn’t saying.
I saw the final blow that explained his desperate flight out here.
“She’s mad at you,” I muttered.
He stiffened, clearly irritated that I could read him so well. “She wanted me to fix this.”
I laughed. “Oh, I’m sure that’s what she said. Tell the truth, Owen. Mom is also over your shit.”
“My relationship with your mother is complicated.”
“Oh, this is great,” I said with a laugh. “You’re so desperate that it reeks.”
He ground his teeth together. “I am trying to fix this, Harley.”
But he wasn’t. He was just trying to save his own skin. Same old, same old.
“The boys cut you out. I cut you out. And now, Mom has, too.” I nodded my head at him and then went to the door. “This is what you deserve, you know? You did this to yourself.”
“Harley…”
“This is good-bye.” I opened the door. “Oh, and I’m moving out of this house. Keep your grubby hands out of my life, Owen.”
He looked like he was going to argue, but Chase put his hand on his shoulder and gently moved him toward the door. “You heard the lady.”
Owen looked back at me after stepping across the threshold. “I do want what’s best for everyone.”
“You want what’s best for you,” I corrected him. “And we’re done with your shit.”
Then, I closed the door in his face.
Chase’s arms were around me a second later, and I buried my face into his shoulder. He brushed his hands down my back. Then pulled me back, cupping my jaw in his hands.
“I’m proud of you. How are you feeling?”
“Powerful,” I admitted. “I think it’s finally over.”
“I think so, too.”
“He’s just despicable. The house situation—”
I glanced around the house I’d called a home for two years, and he’d just yanked it out from under me. Bailey and I had only casually discussed what we were going to do for next year. She’d be starting her junior year, and I’d be working full-time. Now, it seemed impossible.
“I don’t know where I’m going to live.”
He blew out a breath. “Well, you could stay with me until you figure it out.”
My eyes jumped to him in surprise. “Are you serious?”
“Of course. I’m not letting you stay here or move in with your brothers unless that’s something you want to do.”
“No,” I said quickly.
“I didn’t think so.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “We’ll figure it out. For now, you can stay with me.”
“Okay,” I whispered, finding the whole thing almost unbelievable. I circled his waist and drew in his sunscreen scent. “I’m glad you were here for all of this.”
“Always, baby girl. Always.”
PART II
NOW THAT YOU KNOW
7
CHASE
My mom fluffed her freshly dyed blonde hair on the video chat. “What do you think, dear?”
“It looks good, Mom. Are we still on for lunch next week?”
“Sure. Sure. I have to rearrange some things. Busy schedule and all.”
Ever since the divorce, my mom’s schedule had gotten shockingly busy. So much that I rarely saw her unless she penned me in. I had a feeling this was her way of dating without telling me about it. Which I honestly appreciated. And she had every right to go out and find someone better than my dad. But it was also just weird.
“Sure. I just really wanted to talk to you about something.”
I’d been trying all week to reach her. I wanted her to meet Harley. I figured starting with my mom was the best way to go since she was the least likely to care about the Wrights now that the divorce was final.
“What is this all about, dear? Can’t you just tell me now? We can still get lunch, but you look anxious. Not good for your complexion. You’re going to get lines in your forehead.” She pinched her unmoving forehead. “Of course, that looks good on a man.” It was said bitterly.
“I’m not anxious. I just have exciting news. Someone that I want you to meet.”