Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
“Maybe I shouldn’t have told you.”
“No, you should have called my ass last night so I could be there with you and the family.”
“Chase was hot. He disowned Rylee and Mom.”
“He told me.”
“When?”
“When I called to ream him for leaving me out. Told me about your dad, too.”
“Not exactly great news.”
“It’s excellent news!”
“My parents’ marriage is dissolving. How is that excellent?’
“Because your dad is taking a stand. Finally, he’s joining the loyalists.”
“You make it sound like a revolution.”
“Call it what you want, those of us on the right side of morality. We don’t fuck over the ones we love.”
“I didn’t ask him to choose.”
“People with integrity don’t need to be asked to do what’s right.”
Her words bounce in my head. “I need to call Dad.”
“You should.”
“It’s just that he… he treats me like I’m about to break.”
“Are you?”
I snap my eyes to her. “Absolutely not.”
“Then prove it. You’ve always been an overachieving workhorse, but you turned into a machine when that prick admitted to cheating on you.”
“I was disgraced.”
“For no reason. Your dad has a mixture of guilt and stupidity. Prove to him you’re not affected anymore.”
“I can do that.”
“A good way to do that is to go out with me tonight and act like a normal twenty-six-year-old.”
My eyes narrow. “Nicely played.”
She shrugs. “I’m determined.”
“No Tom’s.”
“No Tom’s.” She blows out a frustrated breath. “Tonight,” she mutters under her breath.
I don’t even argue that there will be no more Tom’s in my future.
2
TALON
“What the hell?” I exit my truck at the same time Rowan steps out of her SUV.
“Thought you may want some company,” she chirps, adjusting her sunglasses.
“You mean a babysitter?”
“I’m here for support. What if the session is intense and you need a ride home?”
“Babe, been in physical therapy before.”
“That was different.”
“Think I can handle it.”
“I don’t want you to handle it. If you’re in pain, you shouldn’t be alone.” Her lip quivers and voice cracks on the last word.
I step forward, raising her glasses. Her blue eyes are pooled with tears. It’s no wonder my best friend fell in love with this woman. Her eyes alone tell her story. Kind, beautiful, loving, selfless… and currently swimming in guilt.
This time my chest aches and protective instincts kick in. She has been through the fucking wringer and come out stronger than ever. And it didn’t pass without some scars. Mainly Rowan’s guilt.
Guilt she has no right to hold on to.
Ford was already protective, but now he’s a beast. And if he knew she was standing here in tears, he’d lose his mind.
“Hollywood, I’m good.”
Her mouth slips into a sad smile at the use of her nickname.
“Does Whitman know you’re here?”
“He will.”
“Meaning you didn’t tell him, but he’ll track your phone?”
“Something like that.”
“Then I have to deal with his cranky ass bitching because he realizes you love me more?”
This earns me a genuine smile. “He’ll get over it.” She wiggles her ring finger.
“Get to your salon and save us both the headache.”
She peeks over her shoulder at the building and then back at me. “Since I’m here, might as well get you checked in.” Without waiting for my reply, she loops her hand through my elbow and jerks me forward.
“Does anyone ever tell you no?”
“All the time. Yesterday, Cruz was critical of every idea I mentioned.”
Cruz is a relatively new addition to our group. Rowan lived with him and his partner, Alex, for a brief time before Ford convinced her to move into the house with us.
Cruz and his cousin, Ember, own an upscale formalwear store in town. Ember is creating a custom wedding dress for Rowan, and Cruz has taken the unofficial role as the wedding planner.
Outside of a small business owner, he’s also a lawyer. From tuxedos to contracts, Cruz’s expertise is limitless.
“What ideas?”
“Plunging necklines, high slits, things like that.”
“Do I want to know?”
“I found a beautiful bridesmaid’s dress, but he said the neckline was too deep for Jewls to wear because of the size of her breasts after the twins. He also said Harley would pop out and he didn’t want to deal with Ace’s barbarian tantrum. The other dress had a slit on the side that was sexy but tasteful. At this option, he declared he didn’t want to deal with every man’s wrath.”
I barely hear her over the ringing in my ears after Jewls’ breast comment. “I didn’t want to know.”
She laughs, stepping aside so I can open the door, but still keeps a hold on me.
“You gonna let me go so I can check in?”
“Yep, I’ll wait here.” She drops her arm and looks around. “Is this the same place as before?”
“Same group, different location.”
I leave her, going to the registration desk and immediately noting the way the woman eyes me as I approach.
“Talon Simms,” I announce, fishing my license and insurance card out of my wallet for her.