Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 125852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 629(@200wpm)___ 503(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 629(@200wpm)___ 503(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
I am.
Cameron
He’s totally freaking out. Like epically.
I’m not sure what I expected, but based on how annoyed I am right now, clearly it wasn’t that. I’m not even sad.
I’m just straight-up pissed.
This is Brady. Proud playboy with an entire fan base who have named themselves. For years now, I’ve watched him with other women. He’s the approachable one, the funny guy who is always laughing but never at another’s expense. He’s built like a god without the complex. I mean, he knows he’s fine, but he’s not a dick about it. There’s just an air about him that tells you you’re safe with him, and that goes a long way for a single girl looking to get hers. And from what I hear, the man is a giver.
Right now, all he’s giving me is rage-y thoughts.
The man is king of casual hookups, and while we might not fit into the casual category, what happened last night wasn’t even a full-fledged hookup. If I were a baseball fan, I’d say we slid into third base and the coach started raging because all Brady had to do was round that sucker to hit a home run. The ball was already over the fence.
I wanted it, pretty sure he wanted it, but the man didn’t take it.
Why?
Because we had no condom?
Because he didn’t want to take things between us that far?
Yet?
I don’t know, but I’m not about to make his mama worry just before we take off, so I smile and sit back, bringing my mug to my lips. “My guess is he just realized he forgot to bring me a coffee home and now he’s in big trouble.”
Tisha laughs loudly, smacking her husband’s thigh, buying my little white lie. “Oh, man, Ben has done that many times. Usually, it’s the one ingredient I sent him for, and he has to go right back.” She shakes her head, drinking her latte in oblivious bliss. “Men, I swear.”
I peek at Ben, and he winks at me, tipping his chin in a grateful manner. Clearly, Brady talked to his dad about something, but I guarantee he didn’t mention our little third-down pass.
“I’m so sad you guys are leaving today, but it was such a nice surprise. If I hadn’t had that third glass of wine last night, I was going to ask if you wanted to get up with us today to watch the sunrise from the hill.”
“I don’t think I will ever in my life get up to watch the sunrise on purpose. I had to wake up at five in the morning on Friday for a school thing, and it about killed me. Zero stars, do not recommend.”
Ben chuckles.
“My grandpa used to wake up at five every single day with nothing to do but watch reruns of Criminal Minds and eat Cheerios with bananas. I might cry if that happens to me.”
He pulls his wife onto his lap and it’s the cutest thing ever. “That’s what sunsets are for.”
Tisha smiles. “Watching the sunset is like nothing else this world can offer you.”
“Yeah?” I listen raptly, pulling my legs up a little higher on the seat.
“Oh, yes, honey. It’s like a symbol of hope, reminding us that it will rise again the next day, bringing with it new beginnings. Promises of a brighter tomorrow.”
She peeks over her shoulder at her husband, every inch of her softening as she adds, “A sunrise with the person you love is one of those moments, you know? It’s fleeting but reminds us that love doesn’t fade like the day, but it does change, rekindling anew each morning. The need to watch the sunset is your heart telling you to listen, to stop and savor that moment in time.”
I don’t realize moisture has built in my eyes until she looks back with a smile and I blink them away. “That’s… I mean, you should write poems or something,” I tease because I don’t know what else to say.
Tisha chuckles, leaning back into her husband. “I’ve been known to write a sonnet or two in my day.”
My lips curve up as I stare at the happy couple, and it makes me wish my parents were home this weekend too. I sit back, looking around the yard I’ve played in hundreds of times at dozens of barbecues and birthdays. My eyes travel over to the back side of my home in the distance, and a surge of grief sweeps through me unexpectedly.
I’m really going to miss this.
My eyes grow cloudy again, and a hand pats at my knee. My lips press together so I don’t cry, and I smile at Ben.
The sliding door opens, and we all look up at Brady. He’s showered and changed into an AU sweatsuit, my clothes I wore here in a clean and neat pile in his hands. “Mom washed these for you if you want to be a little more comfortable for the ride back to campus.”