Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Morgan complained about her social media exhaustion and depression from having “low views.” Stephanie from Boston lamented that she’d woken up this morning and couldn’t get a certain song out of her head. So now she thought she was going crazy and it would be stuck there forever. Angie from Baltimore was feeling disconnected from reality, like she was outside of her own body.
I hadn’t said a word this morning and wished I could somehow get out of this session.
As if the universe heard my plea, my secret phone buzzed in my purse. I looked around, hoping no one had heard the vibration. Going to check it would be my excuse to leave this miserable session.
“Excuse me.” I stood. “I have to use the bathroom.”
I escaped from the group therapy room and checked my phone out in the hall. Much to my delight, it was a text from Brock—the first since he’d given me the cell two days ago.
Brock: Any chance you could sneak away during daylight hours? Or are you perpetually a vampire?
February: There’s a first time for everything. What did you have in mind?
Brock: I’d like to offer a getaway car if you can swing a daytime escape.
February: Where would we be going?
Brock: It’s a surprise.
February: Give me a hint.
The dots moved around as he typed.
Brock: You might end up getting sticky.
Sticky.
Hmm... Sex was sticky…
Imagining his body on mine, I got a chill down my spine. Sticky, hot, sweaty. Something told me that wasn’t the kind of stickiness I’d be getting, though. I knew better.
February: Sounds naughty.
Brock: LOL. Get your mind out of the gutter, Red. This is actually the most innocent place you could imagine.
February: Should’ve known with you.
Brock: What’s that supposed to mean?
February: Just that you’ve been nothing but a Boy Scout since we met.
Brock: Lord knows you’re not making it easy.
February: How do I dress for this sticky outing?
Brock: Casual.
February: I can be ready in twenty minutes. But I’ll need some help sneaking out.
Brock: I can park outside your window next to the ladder and be on the lookout. I’ll text you when it’s safe to come down.
A half-hour later, after announcing to the center staff that I was feeling ill and retreating to my room for the rest of the day, Brock texted that the coast was clear outside.
I climbed down the ladder carefully and ran to his truck. Brock took off fast. Escaping in broad daylight felt even more dangerous than doing so at night.
When I turned to look at him, all I could think was holy hell. Brock was wearing a baseball cap backward. Pieces of his longish, brown hair stuck out of the opening at the front. I could’ve sworn the muscles between my legs tightened. He looked so freaking hot.
“The hat suits you.”
“Happy you approve,” he said, glancing at me before returning his eyes to the road. “And once again, you didn’t bring a jacket.”
I looked down at myself. “Whoops.”
He winked at me. “It’s all right. I’ve got you.”
God, why does he look sexier than ever today? “Okay, so now you need to tell me where we’re going…”
“Well, seeing as though you’re only in town for a limited time, I was thinking it would be a shame if you didn’t get to see more of it.”
It touched me that he wanted to show me around. But it wasn’t the town I wanted to see more of. It was him. “So…come on. Tell me where we’re going.”
He flashed me a smile. “The fair.”
My mouth dropped open. “Like a carnival?”
“Yep. Except ours is legendary and probably better than your average carnival.”
“Oh my God.” I clapped. “Are you serious? I’m so happy right now.”
“Just a warning…” He smirked.
“What’s that?”
“I’m pretty much a master at the ring toss—and all the other games, for that matter. So prepare yourself for defeat.”
“As long as I get to keep the giant stuffed animal you win, we’re good.”
“Not sure you’ll be able to take that back to the City, but I plan to win you one anyway.”
“You can keep it at your place. It will give me a reason to come back and visit. Oak needs a friend in the bathtub.” I winked.
He laughed. “Oak would violate it, and you’d never see it in the same condition.”
Wish Brock would take some lessons from his dog. I sighed.
Brock was probably the manliest man I knew, but something about his vibe today gave off boyish charm. It had to be that damn backward hat.
My excitement grew as we pulled up to the fair. Spotting a Ferris wheel always gave me chills. There was something so magical about it.
Brock found a spot for his truck, and we walked together to the entrance.
The moment we stepped through, the smell of fried dough and popcorn became all-consuming. My stomach growled as nostalgia came over me. While the carnivals I’d been to as a kid weren’t quite as large as this, I was immediately taken back to my childhood.