Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 81285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
I’d waited a lifetime for that.
It made the doubts easier to shove aside. He was my brother, my real brother, and no matter how hard I tried to tell myself that didn’t mean shit anymore, it did.
So, if there was even the slightest chance that we could fix what was broken between us, I would take it. And I would take it with no hesitation.
And I wasn’t about to be the one who walked away from his brother.
Not now. Not ever.
6
PRESLEY
Iloved my job.
I mean, I really, really loved it.
Some would say it was just cutting hair, but to me, it was so much more than that. Every day, I was able to go into the salon and give my customers a fresh new look that made them feel better about themselves. Seeing their eyes light up when they looked in the mirror warmed my heart.
And on top of that, I was able to work with the best group of people. They were both talented and sweet, and they weren’t just my coworkers. They were my friends, each and every one of them.
Which meant they knew when something was up with me.
And something was definitely up.
I tried telling them that it was nothing and I just hadn’t slept well, but they weren’t buying it. They kept pushing and pushing, but I kept blowing them off. I didn’t like lying to them, but this was one problem I would have to keep to myself.
After a while, they grew quiet, and I thought they were going to let it go. But just as my last customer walked out the door, Stephanie, my closest, most bull-headed friend, hooked a finger in the back of my apron and hauled me into the mixing room.
She shut the door and stepped in front of me like some off-duty cop who was about to bully a suspect. “What the hell is going on with you?”
“I already told you.” I stepped back, hoping it might help me escape her wrath. “I’m just tired.”
“Bullshit.”
Stephanie was unfairly pretty. She had long, dark hair that was always glossy and perfectly styled, big brown eyes with natural long lashes that were the envy of everyone who saw them, and a figure that never failed to turn heads. Needless to say, she was never one to hurt for attention, and if there was ever a shortage of men somewhere, it was never in her zip code.
Men were always trailing after her every step, but she never let it go to her head. She was the kindest, sweetest, most thoughtful person I’ve ever met, so I wasn’t surprised that she was worried about me. Hoping to ease her mind, I smiled and said, “I’m fine, Steph. Really.”
“But you’re not,” she replied, pointing her perfectly manicured finger at me. “You’ve been spacing out all day, and that dye job you did on Mrs. Davenport was not it.”
“It wasn’t that bad.”
“It was atrocious, girl, and you never mess up a dye job. So, spill it.”
I opened my mouth but immediately closed it.
I almost messed up.
I was about to tell her everything. It was sitting right there on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn’t. There was a chance it would put her in danger, and I refused to bring anyone else into my mess.
So, I did the only thing I could. I made up a big, fat lie and told her, “It’s Danny.”
“Danny?” Her brows furrowed. “That guy you’ve been talking to?”
“Yeah, that’s him.” I shrugged. “He ghosted me.”
“Oh.” Relief washed over her. “Thank God.”
“That’s not the response I was expecting.”
“Please. The guy was a total douchebag.” She waved her hand. “Trust me. He did you a favor. Men like him are emotional support potholes.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “You are too much.”
“Just honest, sweetie.” She gave me a wink. “We should go out. Have a few drinks. Go dancing. Find you a new guy or two. Maybe three. I know at least six who would volunteer as tribute.”
“Of course, you do.”
“What can I say? It’s a gift.”
“I appreciate the offer. I really do, but no.” I lowered my head. “I just want to go home and faceplant in bed and not speak to another human until tomorrow.”
“Oh, you’re no fun.” She studied me for a second, then added, “Danny dropped the ball, girlfriend. You’re smoking hot, and it’s only a matter of time before the right guy comes along and snatches you up.”
“We’ll see about that.”
“You sure you don’t want to go for just one drink?”
“Not tonight.”
“Okay, fine.” A smirk slipped across her lips as she leaned in and whispered, “But if you wake up tomorrow and decide you want a hot stranger to help you forget what’s-his-face, I have options.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“You better, because they’re good options. Hot options.” She looped her arm through mine as we headed back out. “Get some sleep, babe. Tomorrow is a new day.”