Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 111676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 558(@200wpm)___ 447(@250wpm)___ 372(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 558(@200wpm)___ 447(@250wpm)___ 372(@300wpm)
He nipped my throat. “It’s doing it for you, isn’t it?”
I couldn’t even lie because he could read me like a book. More like a “How to get Jade off” manual.
I loved Monroe, I really did, but in that moment, all I wanted to do was drag Wolf upstairs into Hendrix’s old room and defile the germaphobe ass’s bed. But I was a good friend. So, I behaved.
Hours later, Zepp and Monroe sped off on his bike, cans clanging against the asphalt. We grabbed Squishy from the house, said our goodbyes, and got into Wolf’s brand new, fancy car—compliments of his signing bonus.
“Can’t believe Hendrix only pulled out his dick once,” Wolf said as he drove off. “I think having kids is making him grow up.”
“Think his kid picked up the flag on that.”
Axle had spent half the party buck naked.
“Kids love doing that…”
“Yeah, but damn, he stripped fast.” Poor Lola blinked, and he was in his birthday suit, a trail of clothes behind him.
Wolf stopped at a four-way. He glanced around the familiar, run-down streets of Dayton, an expression I couldn’t decipher on his face. “I think I’m going to miss this place,” he said.
“Yeah,” I said quietly, feeling the same way. “We can always come back, but you might not miss it so much after a few months in Miami.”
“Didn’t say I wanted to live here…” He flicked on his blinker, but instead of turning in the direction of my parents’ house, where we were staying tonight, he turned the opposite direction.
“I know your fancy car basically drives itself, but it missed the turn.”
“It didn’t.”
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” His sly smile gave him away. He was up to something.
A few minutes later, Squishy scrambled into the backseat as the car hit gravel. We drove up the path that led to The Lookout, parking in front of the metal barricade.
“Wanted to watch the sunset over the shithole one last time.” No idea why he was acting so secretive about that.
Squishy leaped out of the car as soon as Wolf opened the door, barreling into the brush like it was the best day of his life. We followed him along the overgrown path, the warm breeze rustling the pine needles overhead. By the time we reached the clearing, the sun was beginning to drop below the horizon. The golden glow over the city of Dayton had never looked so beautiful. Maybe because I was finally leaving it behind, I could find a glimmer in the shit we’d endured our entire lives.
Wolf slipped his arms around me from behind, pulling me close. “I never really thought we’d get outta here.”
“I always knew you would.” I turned in his arms, the sunlight catching the specks of gray embedded in his blue eyes.
“Nah, you were always more likely than me. You’re smart.”
“And you’re amazing at throwing a ball. Clearly.”
“I wouldn’t have been able to throw a ball without your tutoring. I couldn’t do shit in life without you.” His hand cupped my cheek. Rough and warm, grounding me. “I don’t want to do life without you.”
“You won’t have to—”
Leaves crunched when he dropped to one knee beside Squishy. Oh, shit.
“I’m not exactly sure when I fell in love with you, Jade. Maybe somewhere between that first night you slept in my bed and the first time you kissed me back. But little by little, I’ve realized I could never live without you.” He took my hand in his. “Not without your laugh. Your smile. The support you give me… You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved. The only one I want to love.” He pulled an origami love knot from his jacket pocket and handed it to me. “Open it.”
My hands trembled when I unfolded it. Nestled inside was a beautiful round diamond ring.
“Jade Willow Anderson, do you think you can put up with me for the rest of your life?”
I swallowed around the lump in my throat, tears stinging my eyes. “I guess I could.”
Wolf lifted a brow. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but it’s a yes or no question, Jade.”
“It’s not. You didn’t ask the question.”
“Will you marry me?”
“As if I would say no.” I rolled my eyes. “Yes!”
Wolf Brookes was no saint. He’d been the typical bad boy his entire life, the bad boy who wanted to be good for me. Who was more than good for me. He gave me a sense of hope and home that no one could ever replace. As he slipped the ring onto my finger, I knew I was more than ready to start my life with him.
Turns out, not all assholes deserve retribution. Some of them deserve forgiveness. And a forever.