Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
“The tracker on your car,” he says, as if it were something I knew about and consented to.
“You bugged me?” My eyes widen, and my heart starts galloping in my chest.
This can’t be real, can it? It has to be some kind of sick joke.
“Bugged isn’t the right word. It’s a safety precaution. You’re part of the family and I—”
“Stop,” I cut him off. Having had it done to me so many times, it feels pretty good. “I’m only going to say this once. This isn’t a road you want to walk down. It won’t end well for you. Turn around and go back home. Forget you were ever here.”
If Boone was willing to beat the hell out of two guys because they spoke crudely, I don’t want to imagine what he’ll do to Travis for blatantly stalking me. But it’s in my best interests to warn him. Why risk Boone getting hurt or going to jail over a little weasel like this?
Instead of heeding my threat, Travis just scoffs. He shakes his head and sighs, turning his eyes back to the road ahead of him.
“All right, Callie, whatever you say.” He starts rolling up his window, but before it’s closed, I hear him add, “I’ll be seeing you soon, princess.”
Hearing that word out of his mouth makes me nauseous. Hell, this whole situation makes me sick.
I rush back to Boone’s workshop, deliberating the entire drive about whether I’m going to tell him about what just happened. But when I arrive to find the roller door wide open and a light on inside, something tells me now isn’t the time.
Boone’s sitting next to my car, with tools sprawled out around him. Noticing I’m here, he looks up at me grimly.
“Your part arrived while we were sleeping,” he says.
My heart shatters into a thousand tiny pieces to hear it.
10
BOONE
Callie stares at me, mouth agape, like I just sucker punched her with the news.
But this was destined to happen. I placed the order long before I knew how well things would go between us. The biggest damn regret of my life.
Still, I wonder if it’s for the best. Meadowview isn’t the place for someone who has their whole life ahead of them. It’s a dead-end town, with dead-end people, all coalescing in mundanity. She’ll go on to do great things, but not here.
And as much as I hate to say it, not with me.
“I thought you said it would take until Monday. Maybe longer.” Callie’s sorrow burrows deep into her words. On the verge of tears but fighting them off as best she can.
I don’t want her to feel this way, but it gives me the feeling that not all hope is lost. She storms toward me, clearing the distance in an instant to look at the box between my legs.
“Guess I was being hopeful.” I’ve never been one to talk much, but until today, it’s been by choice.
This time, I find myself at a loss for them. Struggling through an endless torrent of thoughts to convince her to stay. Wanting to plead my case, like some two-bit lawyer. Offer her a world I can’t afford and a life that’s just out of arm’s reach.
“Well…” Callie’s disappointment fades with that single word, and my heart sinks deeper into my guts. Here it comes, the it’s been fun but it’s time I run. Instead, Callie’s hand raises from her side, meeting mine before interlocking our fingers. She stares into my chest, a smile replacing her frown, as she speaks again. “I can’t say it’s the worst thing that could’ve happened. I’d feel much better running errands in my own car than yours.”
“Wh—” I choke and awkwardly clear my throat before I try again. “What was that?”
Callie chuckles, squatting down to meet me at eye level. Her free hand moves up my arm and over my cheek, nudging my gaze to meet hers.
“I don’t know what you thought would happen, but you’re not getting rid of me that easily.” She presses her lips to mine, and we kiss, soft and gentle. “After all, Daddy needs his little princess.”
Her confession nearly floors me. Makes me want to launch out of this chair and jump for joy. It shouldn’t be this surprising. Things between us have gone perfectly, and that will only continue. But making assumptions is a dangerous gamble. Expecting the worst and receiving the best is better than the other way around.
“You’ve gotta be careful saying that so close to Cinnamon. She’s the jealous type.” Cracking a joke when seconds ago I was on the verge of crumbling seems fitting. Break the tension and lighten the mood because Lord knows the other option involves our naked bodies denting the hood of her Picanto.
“Speaking of which, you’re gonna have to introduce me to her sometime soon. And, you know, give me a tour of your place.”