Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
“I know that as well,” he sighs and looks away before his gaze arrows back to mine. “I’m not going to lie, it’s a little weird seeing you two together.” He scrunches his face and circles his hand a few times. “Like that.”
I grimace and think about it from his perspective. “Yeah, I guess it would be.”
Which is exactly why it shocks the hell out of me when he admits, “But if Daisy is going to be with anyone, I’m glad it’s you.”
“Thanks.” Something loosens in my chest. “That means a lot.”
Actually, it means everything.
Maybe we’re going to have that Dr. Phil moment after all.
Noah straightens to his full height and spears a finger at me. “If you break her heart, I’ll kick your fucking ass.”
Or maybe not. I can’t blame him for having her back. I would expect nothing less from Noah.
“I’ll be careful with her,” I say.
He takes another pull from his bottle. “I guess that’s all I can ask for.”
I voice another truth even though it’s not something I want to think about. “You know she’s the one who will end up breaking my heart, right?”
“You knew that going in, man.” He shrugs and tips his bottle toward me. “Eyes wide open.”
He’s right. I did.
“Are we good?” Because I need us to be good. I need Noah on my side just like he’s always been.
His lips curl into a smile. “Yeah, we’re good.”
I nod, feeling like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
“Hey.” Noah cranes his head. “I just saw Daisy and her trusty sidekick.”
Following his line of sight, I scan the room. As soon as my gaze lands on her, everything else falls away. How’s it possible that this girl has come to mean so much to me in such a short amount of time?
It’s crazy. And yet, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
When it comes to Daisy, I have total tunnel vision which is why I don’t notice what’s going on until Noah makes a comment about the guy chatting her up.
37
DAISY
As soon as Olivia and I walked through the door of this party, some guy glommed onto me, and I haven’t been able to shake him loose. He isn’t getting the hint that I’m not interested. My guess is that his inebriated state has something to do with it.
Ugh.
Even if I were single and ready to mingle, drunk guys are never on my radar.
For one thing, they have the tendency to think they’re hilarious. As if everything that spews from their mouth is comedic gold. Let me tell you from experience, it’s not. Far from it. Half the time, you can’t make heads or tails of what they’re slurring.
Two, they’re usually way too handsy for my taste. I’m not a girl who likes to be manhandled. Unless I give you the green light to do it. Then I love it. But otherwise, forget about it. I’m liable to deck you.
And lastly, there is no such thing as letting them down gently. They get all offended if you’re not interested and either end up calling you a bitch or a dyke.
Who needs that?
I glance around for Noah. Where the hell is that guy when I need him?
Any other time, he’s hovering over me, chasing guys away. When I could actually use his assistance, he’s nowhere to be found. So freaking typical.
I raise my brows and shoot Olivia an exasperated look, but her gaze is trained on something over my shoulder.
As I turn to see what’s captured her attention, she mutters, “Incoming.”
Before I can blink, a strong male arm snakes around my body and hauls me close. Carter’s masculine scent hits me all at once. I glance at him, but his eyes aren’t focused on me. He’s glaring at the guy who won’t take no for an answer. I shift my gaze to the drunk guy, hoping he’ll give up and find someone else to harass.
Now that Carter is here, I just want to move on with my evening.
I’m still riding high from the jersey he gave me earlier this afternoon. Truth be told, I don’t have much interest in being at this party. But I figured Carter would want to celebrate with his team. We haven’t been together long. I don’t want to be that girlfriend who wants to sit home and watch Netflix on a Saturday night.
Although, Netflix sounds really good right now.
“Dude,” Drunk guy slurs, “I was in the middle of something here.”
At least that’s what I think he says. It’s hard to tell.
Carter shakes his head. “I don’t think so. You need to move it along. She’s not interested.”
Drunk guy’s unfocused gaze bounces between the pair of us. “She wants me. We were just headed upstairs.”
Unsteady on his feet, he staggers a few steps toward me, and I wince.
“Right?” he asks.