Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 58874 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58874 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
“And I’m not like my father either.” Jule reclined into the sofa and stretched his legs out. “I’m not naïve. I recognize that we’re in a messy situation. But hasn’t that been the deal all our lives?” Jule chuckled and Tor grinned and lay back beside him. “Life’s been like a hurricane since we were kids, and we were trapped in it, trying not to get torn apart. And now we’re grown and the storm’s still there because it’s inside us. But that’s okay because the safest part of a storm is in the center. So that’s where I’m going to stay.”
Tor put his hand on Jule’s knee, and he rested his on top of Tor’s.
“I’m going to plant my feet, stay steady, and stick by your side, and nothing anyone can say or do will stop me. Not my mother. Not my grandparents. Not your self-sacrificing attempts at martyrdom. I’m here, in the center of this blindingly bright, breathtakingly beautiful storm of a relationship and I’m not going to let you go again, not for any amount of time, not for any reason.”
“Wow,” Tor said. “That was impressive.”
“I know, right? I’ve gotten to be a pretty suave speaker. All that courtroom experience is really paying off.”
“I can hear that.” He smirked. “Would’ve been even better if you’d remembered what Ms. Henderson taught us. The eye of the storm being safe is actually a myth. You’re supposed to hide from that shit, not hang out in its center.”
Jule stilled. “You asshole.”
“That’s not news.” He shrugged. “But at least I’m an asshole who remembers eighth-grade science.”
Jule curled into Tor’s side and inhaled his scent. “I loved you in the eighth grade and I love you now, Tor Dunworthy. That’s why I said I’m going to marry you.” He looked up and met Tor’s gaze. “And in case you’re confused, that’s not a proposal. It’s a statement of fact. This is happening one way or another so get on board and don’t bother fighting it. You’ve been in charge for years; now it’s my turn. If a psychopath comes after us again, you can have the reins back. Until then, I get to decide what we’re doing with our lives.”
Chapter 17 – Age 30
Fingers twisting the fabric of her trousers, his mother said, “Are you sure you don’t want dinner? I can order something right now. Or if you don’t mind leftovers, Langston and I went to Durant's last night and you know how large their portions are. I can warm up that in just a few minutes.”
Jule shook his head. “I’m going to the Dunworthy house to eat dinner with Tor and his brothers.” Tor was the reason for his visit so he may as well get the conversation started with a clear indication of where it would go.
“I see.” His mother rubbed her lips together and then sat on the sofa catty-corner from the armchair where Jule was already sitting.
They stared at one another in silence for so long that he was uncomfortable and he was confident his mother wasn’t doing any better. Something needed to be said, but Jule was at a disadvantage because he didn’t know what awareness, if any, his mother had about his father’s extramarital activities or his history, and he didn’t want to hurt her by telling her things that could only cause her pain.
Deciding to crack open the door but tread delicately, he said, “I’ve received voicemails and texts from Grandfather and Grandmother Sterling. They’ve been clear about their feelings regarding Tor.”
“I’m aware. They’ve shared their concerns with me. Repeatedly.”
The crack had widened. “What did they say?”
She sighed and looked away. “I don’t know how to do this, Julian.”
He frowned. “Do what?”
“You were so close to your father, and he loved you very much. I…” She swallowed thickly. “I would never want to diminish your memory of him.”
Clearly, she knew something. “I’m not a kid anymore, Mom.” He considered his next words carefully before speaking. “And even when I was a kid, I had a pretty good picture of who Dad was. You don’t need to shield me from that.”
She searched his face and he realized they were both trying not to hurt each other. That wasn’t going to get them anywhere.
“Did Grandfather and Grandmother Sterling tell you about Dad’s history with Vickie Dunworthy?”
“They did.” She nodded slowly. “They said that your father dated her in high school. They said that she wasn’t a good influence, wasn’t a good match for him, wasn’t a good person.” She cleared her throat. “They called her Victoria. Everyone has called her Victoria.”
“Some of that may have been true. And she went by Vickie.”
His mother absorbed what he said before speaking again. “You knew her.”
It was a statement more than a question, but he answered it anyway. “Not as well as you’d think considering how much time I spent at the Dunworthy house.”