Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“I will.” Sensing someone watching us, I lean in and bury my face in her neck, wrapping my arms around her. “Be safe, baby,” I whisper. She hesitates for a few seconds before wrapping her arms around me and returning my embrace.
“I will,” she says when I finally step back. She turns to walk to her car, and I watch her until she’s inside and driving away.
“It won’t last,” a deep voice says from behind me. I don’t have to look to know who it is.
“Oh yeah?” I say, turning to face him.
“She’ll come back to me.”
I can’t help it. I laugh. Right in his face. “You’re delusional. Do you think she’ll go back to you so you can control her? So you can isolate her? Oh, no, I bet it’s so that you can put her back in the hospital.” With each word, I step closer until we’re chest to chest. “Rowan is mine. You had your chance, and you fucked it up. Too bad for you. I’m a smart man, and I make damn sure every day that she knows how amazing she is. I know her worth, and I’ll make sure she knows it too.”
“We have history,” he says through gritted teeth.
“History of mental, emotional, and physical abuse. Walk away, man. Just fucking walk away. Don’t push this or her.” I’m barely holding onto my anger. I keep thinking about how upset Rowan will be if I punch this fuck face. Not to mention Coach Warner’s wrath. He needs to throw the first punch, then it’s game on.
“Everything okay here?” Brian Stout, the defensive coordinator, asks.
“All good, Coach. Chaz here was just leaving.”
Chaz glares at me but turns and stalks off.
“There’s something off about that one,” Brian mutters.
“You have no idea,” I tell him, slapping him on the shoulder and heading up to my room. Kicking off my shoes, I strip down to my boxer briefs and plop down on the bed with my phone in my hand, waiting for Rowan to text me. Five minutes later, my phone vibrates.
Rowan: I’m home.
Me: Good. Lock up.
Rowan: Yes, sir.
My cock jumps, and fuck texting. I hit her contact for a video call and wait for her to pick up.
“I just saw you,” she says, laughing as she answers.
“Like an hour ago.”
More laughter, the musical sound calms my frayed nerves. “More like twenty minutes. Thirty tops.”
“Fine, I missed you.” It’s not a line. I do miss her when she’s not with me.
“Wizardry,” she mumbles.
“What?” I ask, confused.
“You’re trying to cast some type of wizardly spell on me with all of your sweet and charming words.”
“That’s just me, babe.”
“The ladies don’t have a chance.” She chuckles.
“Nope. There is only one lady in my life. Well, two if you count my sister. No, make that three because Sloane might as well be my sister too.”
“And the third?” she asks.
“There’s this girl. She’s got long blonde hair and these big blue eyes that rival the sky on a warm summer’s day. I’ve been spending a lot of time with her, and I don’t hate it.”
“Hmm, I bet she doesn’t hate it either.”
My heart hammers inside my chest as if I just ran the full length of the field for a touchdown. “It’s you, Rowan. In case you didn’t get that.” I know she did, but I don’t want to play games. I wanted to feel her out, but she admitted she doesn’t hate spending time with me, and yeah, I just needed to make sure she understood that it was her.
“Landry—” She shakes her head, her blue eyes full of something I can’t name.
“Don’t say anything. I just needed you to know.”
“You should get some sleep. We don’t need you getting hurt.”
“I’ll see you in the morning?”
“I’ll be there. Good night, number one.”
“Number one in the program and in your heart.” I wink, and she laughs. She waves at the screen before it goes black.
After plugging my phone in to charge, I close my eyes. I can see her smile and hear her laughter, and that’s how I fall asleep, surrounded by all things Rowan.
Chapter Twelve
Rowan
Pulling my car into the driveway, I park next to Landry’s truck. I didn’t expect him to be here since today is my day, but I know everyone has been rotating in and out to support Baker since the baby was born.
Corie put together a list of the days when Baker had the baby, and we’re all taking turns stopping by with food and to lend a hand with whatever he might need. Today, I made baked spaghetti with garlic bread.
Climbing out of the car, I make sure to have my phone, then reach into the back seat for the food container before making my way to the door. Baker told us not to knock, just in case the baby was sleeping, and to come on in, so that’s what I do.