Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Her forehead wrinkles. “I’m so sorry, babes. I wish I could go back in time and take a cab home from the airport.”
“Stop. It’s not your fault. It’s that jerk in the truck, who…” I trail off, brow furrowing as I remember the moments after the wreck. “He drove off, didn’t he? He just drove away, while you were all pregnant and needing help getting me out of the car.”
Her eyes go cold. “He did. But a nice man at the scene got him on video. The police are going to find him and hold him accountable. And if they don’t, I’ll track his sorry ass down myself.”
“I’ll come, too,” I agree. “I think it’s time we take justice into our own hands. The justice system isn’t working, Bea. At least not very well. It’s not nearly as justice-y as I want it to be.”
“Not even close,” Beatrice agrees.
“But we should probably give the police a month to figure things out,” Blue pipes up in his reasonable rumble. “Maybe two.”
I narrow my eyes on his face. “You don’t think we can handle this guy?”
“I think you can handle anything you set your mind to,” he says, seeming to mean it. “But first priority is making sure you heal properly. To help with that, I’ll be moving in with you guys for a while after you’re discharged tomorrow.”
I glance at Bea.
She answers my unspoken question with a nod before adding, “Even if I hadn’t hurt my foot, I’m not sure I’d be able to lift you without the adrenaline rush. But Blue can, no problem.” Her lips curve. “Besides, it sounds like fun. Three musicians under one roof? Think of all the cool shit we can come up with.”
The words send a sinking sensation through my gut.
Maybe it’s the morphine. Maybe it’s the reminder that I won’t be making music for a long time, at least not with my left hand. Maybe it’s both, but suddenly, I feel tired, and the kidney bean stain starts popping off again, something about how much fun it is to be a third wheel.
But it’s not fun.
Not at all.
Especially around people who are as hot for each other as Beatrice and Blue.
“I won’t be doing any of that, either,” I blurt out before I realize my inside voice has become an outside voice.
Much like my outside bone…
They both glance my way, and Beatrice asks, “Doing what, honey?”
Thankfully, even in my morphine-addled state, I have enough sense not to say anything about sex or my suspicion that my current fuck buddy is going to vanish as soon as he learns the fucking part of our relationship is on an extended hiatus.
You think? The water stain exhales a mocking chuckle.
I ignore it as I lie, “Sorry, I forgot. My brain is full of wet noodles.”
Bea’s forehead wrinkles again. “I bet, and no need to apologize. Do you want us to go and let you sleep? Or we could try to find a movie or something on the—”
She’s cut off by a gasp from the hall.
A theatrical gasp, followed by a “meep” of surprise…
All eyes turn to the doorway, where Charlotte, Bea’s soon-to-be sister-in-law, stands in plaid pajama pants and a light cashmere sweater that appears to be inside out. She looks like she hopped straight out of bed and rushed here from wherever she was when she heard about the accident. Her messy bun and lack of makeup further support this theory.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Charlotte without makeup. She never wears a lot, but she’s the “flawlessly put together” type. The kind of woman who always knows how to dress, what to say, and how to say it. Which makes sense considering she’s a professional party planner and schmoozer of people.
She’s not the kind of woman who gasps and meeps her way into a room.
But she meeps again now as her eyes dart between Bea’s face and belly.
That’s when I remember that Charlotte doesn’t know!
Nobody knows except Blue and me. And probably all the people Beatrice met in Scotland, since a belly that big would be hard to hide. But none of them told anyone or posted pictures online. They were super respectful of her privacy, which makes me even more eager to visit as soon as I overcome my fear of flying and can afford international travel.
Right now, I can barely afford dollar beer night at Hussy’s.
But I can afford to step in and take the heat off a friend, “Hey, Charlotte,” I pipe up in my most helpful, “nothing upsetting to see here” voice. “Bea’s knocked up! Surprise! She’s totally stoked about it, so don’t be upset. She just wanted to brood in private.” I frown at Blue. “Is that what they call it? Brooding? When chickens sit on their eggs?”
He nods, looking remarkably calm for a secret baby daddy hiding in plain sight.