Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 88992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Holy shit.
My head spins with the realization that my suspicions weren’t conspiracy theories. I wasn’t jumping to conclusions. He was behind my attempted downfall.
“Wow. Okay,” I say, glancing over my shoulder to ensure Audrey doesn’t hear any of this. “What about my shoulder? Was he behind that, too?”
“Don’t know yet. I mean, at this point, I’d venture to say yes. But I can’t prove it and, if we can’t prove it, we can’t use it.”
I rub my forehead, trying to do mental gymnastics to sort all of this. This will kill Audrey. Even though she’s frustrated with her brother, I don’t think she knows he’s capable of so much wickedness. And, if this is true, it’ll cause a huge media storm, at least in the fighting community. It’ll get ugly, fast.
But what will this do to me?
“We’re getting everything together, like I said,” Isaac says. “Can you be back here on Saturday? We don’t know for sure, but I have a friend who has a golf buddy on the commission, and he says they’re shoving your case to the front of their agenda.” He pauses. “They could decide as early as Monday.”
“You’re kidding? You know it’s Van. He’s pissed at me.” For knowing his sister. He’d be a lot more than that if he knew I’d had every inch of her on my tongue for the last few days. “He’s going to try to push the hearing and get me permanently suspended. I know it.”
“We’re going to try our best not to let that happen. I’ll have Brenda send you a ticket back. Any time work best for you?”
“Nope. I’ll watch for the email confirmation.”
“Great. Talk to you Friday.”
“See ya.”
I end the call, letting my hand hang with the phone.
What the fuck do I do now? The bastard ruined my career … and smugly thinks he can get away with it.
Audrey
“I don’t know what we’re doing now,” I say, answering Gianna’s question while I sit on the bedroom floor and fold up my clothes and put them back in my bag. I did a quick load of laundry this morning, so I won’t have so much to do before I leave town for the weekend. “We’re heading back to Sugar Creek tomorrow, and then I’ll fly to Boston on Saturday morning. So, I guess …” It’s over.
Hearing the words echo in my brain makes me bristle in discomfort.
I’ve shared three straight days with Brooks Dempsey, and every day I’ve found myself growing closer to him. He’s not just nice to look at. He’s funny, sharp, and intelligent. He makes me feel deliriously good about myself. We can order cheap pizza or go to a nice restaurant, and it’s all the same.
Everywhere is better with him around. But soon? He’ll be gone, and life will continue as it did before I met him. Somehow. I guess.
“Don’t panic,” Gianna says. “This is still new. You might just need some time to work out the kinks.”
“I’m not panicking.”
“Okay, well, don’t work yourself up over it either. It’s whatever you want to call it.”
“How’s Drake?” I ask, needing a break from my life. “How’s Big Ed?”
She sighs happily. “Good. Both of them. Big Ed has been really stable for the last couple of days. They’re trying a new medication, and it seems to be working to minimize some of the symptoms. And Drake asked his mom and sisters about them moving in with us, but one of Drake’s sisters is going to move in with their parents and help care for Ed. It just worked better that way. It’s what they all wanted.”
“Nice.”
My breath hitches as I feel Brooks enter the room. I don’t need to check whether I’m right, because every cell in my body can’t be wrong.
“I’ll call you later,” I say. “I need to finish packing up and … a few other things.”
“Sure. Try reverse cowgirl. Ten out of ten stars from me. You’re in control, can take him as deep as you want, and tons of opportunities for clit stimulation. You’ll love it.”
I laugh … but I don’t blush. And that’s progress. “I might suggest that tonight.”
“That’s my girl. Love you, Auddie.”
“I love you, Gianna. Bye.”
“Bye.” I end the call and then toss my phone on the floor. Without turning around, I grin. “Hi, Brooks.”
“How did you know I was here?”
“It turns out that I have a built-in Brooks tracker. I can sense your proximity.”
He hums, coming closer. “Here.” He drops a red lace bodysuit we bought last night into my lap. “Put this on. And didn’t you say you brought your red lipstick?”
Oh. I blow out a shaky breath. “Yes.”
“Wear that, too. Then come into the living room.”
I turn my head to the side so I can see him out of the corner of my eye. He holds my gaze—dark and broody—before he disappears around the corner.