Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 106774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
She squeals again, this time the sound ending in a moan. Her gaze finds mine just before she falls apart.
“Fuck!” she shouts.
I groan, my body shaking as it gives in and releases its load. My teeth grind together, the vein in my temple pulses … I can barely hold myself together.
My hands find her hips again and I guide her back and forth. “Don’t stop yet. Fuuuuuck.”
Astrid trembles as she milks the rest of her orgasm on my dick, and I shiver violently as the last waves of mine crash through me. I blow out a breath as she collapses onto my shoulder, her breaths heaving right alongside mine.
I wrap my arms around her and drop my head into the crook of her neck, feeling things in places that have been dead for a long time.
“That was so good,” she says, giggling. “But I need to get up and use the bathroom.”
“That wasn’t good,” I say, helping her off me. “That was amazing.”
She beams, laughing again as she makes a quick escape to the bathroom.
I sigh, leaning back on the couch for a moment and letting myself regroup. But as my gaze sweeps the apartment, it settles on the bag I brought home from Hartley’s—and the envelope tucked into the front pocket.
I know what I have to do … and that I have to do it now.
“She’s it, Gray. Your mama and daddy would’ve loved her. Don’t let her go, by boy.”
“I won’t, Cathy,” I whisper. “I won’t.”
What I have to do first is not for me and Caroline.
It’s for me and Astrid.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-NINE
Astrid
I belt out the last lyrics of a song about Jack and Diane, letting the wind whip through my hair as I head to Gray’s. The Swill is ahead on my right, and I slow down to make the turn into the neighborhood.
The late morning is beyond beautiful. The air is warm but not sweaty, and the sun is bright but not burning. Everyone on the road seems to be in a great mood, letting each other merge in traffic and not running red lights. I didn’t need all of that to perk me up today. I have a whole day with Gray to look forward to since he has the day off.
“Auddie, no,” I say, laughing through the Bluetooth. “Don’t panic. I’m sure Seth hasn’t answered your message because he’s busy. A lot of athletes don’t even check their messages on Social because they get such weird ones.”
“Are you sure? Because I’m worried that I’ve made it awkward between us and now I can never set foot near my brother again.”
“I promise you haven’t made it awkward. Gianna and I both proofread your message last night. It was friendly, slightly flirty, and made you sound like the doctor that you are.” I pause to let that sink in. “You are a catch, girlfriend. Seth will probably see that message and panic himself because guys don’t score girls like you without trying.”
She sighs. “Okay. Not sure I believe you, but thanks for lying to me anyway.”
“Anytime, anytime.” I pull off my sunglasses and toss them onto the passenger’s seat. “I’m pulling up to Gray’s, so I’m going to go. If you need me to talk you off a ledge later, call me. I’ll keep my phone close.”
“You’re the greatest, Astrid. Love you.”
“Bye, Auddie.”
“Bye.”
I end the call, park at the curb, and gather my things. I’m on the sidewalk walking toward Gray’s in two seconds flat.
It feels like I’m floating to his apartment, and the shit that usually weighs me down and has me trudging through the day is gone. Well, it’s probably still there but I hardly notice it. It’s hard to think about your problems and what could go wrong and how many goofy things you said that day when someone’s telling you how amazing you are. Talk about lie to me anyway.
The old man on the porch who I see every time I’m here, practically every day, takes his cigar out of his mouth and waves with two fingers. I smile, waving back.
I round the side of the building and start up his porch but quickly stop. This morning’s groceries are stacked all over the porch. What the hell? I step over the bag of fruit and ring Gray’s doorbell. While I wait for him to answer, I sort through the bags and find that the milk’s warm.
My stomach tightens as I ring the bell again. I listen closely, but don’t hear any footsteps. He never makes me wait this long.
I slide my phone from my pocket and press his name. He answers on the fourth ring.
“Hey,” he says, his voice eerily low.
“Hey. Are you okay?”
He hesitates. “Yeah. Why?”
“Well, I’m standing on your porch to hang out with you today—not wearing panties, as you prefer—and your groceries are piled out here.” I laugh. “I was afraid you were in there dead.”