Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
If Chandler’s here, standing in my living room, that can only mean one thing.
Tears instantly well in my eyes, and I swallow over the lump that’s formed in the back of my throat. It’s been seventeen years since I’ve laid eyes on him. I gave Copeland James my heart all those years ago, and today, he still owns it. Now, he’s about to break my heart all over again.
He might not be in my life, but I know that he’s out there somewhere. A world without Copeland… I shake my head. I don’t even want to think about that, but his brother being here is bad news.
“No.” I force the word past my lips, and my voice cracks. “No,” I say again, losing my battle with the tears as they flood my eyes and race unchecked down my cheeks. It’s bad. Chandler brought everyone with him. All of my closest friends are standing behind him. He wouldn’t have done that unless it was bad. My heart feels as though it’s going to crack inside my chest.
No, this can’t be happening. Please God, no.
My sisters stand and stare. They know it’s always been Copeland for me. They also know that if Chandler is here, it’s not to report good news. I see him and his family around town. We’re cordial, and I still talk to his mom every week. She’s the sweetest lady, and this is a small town. It’s not like I can ignore them.
Besides, I don’t want to.
His mom was always good to me, and when we lost our parents, she checked on us, made us countless dinners, and so much more. She was my rock during those first few months.
“Ellie,” Kinzie says, rushing past the guys to wrap me in a hug. “What’s wrong?” she asks.
I pull out of her hold and stare at her incredulously. “What’s wrong? Really, Kinz?” I ask, wiping at my eyes.
“Why are you crying?” she asks, her brow furrowing.
I ignore my best friend and my sisters as they gather around me. I ignore everyone but Chandler. “Just say it,” I demand.
Chandler tilts his head to the side. “Ellison—” he starts, but another sob falls from my lips.
Bowen is on the move. He steps around the guys, and within a few long strides, he’s standing in front of me. “Ellie, it’s not what you think,” he says, trying to calm me down.
“Oh, shit,” I hear Kinzie mutter.
“I can’t see,” Baylor announces. I can feel my sisters shift to give her a better view.
“It’s not,” Kinzie says, shaking her head.
“Then why?” I ask, wiping at my wet cheeks. “Why are all of you here if—” I can’t even bring myself to say the words. My chest feels tight. I’m thirty-two and in good health, but I might be having a heart attack, because the pain is too intense.
“Ellison, listen to me.” Bowen cups my cheeks in his hands. “He’s okay,” he assures me.
It takes a few heartbeats for his words to sink in. “What?” I ask.
“He’s okay, Ellie. Copeland is fine. He’s not hurt.” Bowen’s green eyes hold my stare as he pulls in a deep breath and slowly exhales. “Breathe with me, Ellison,” he says calmly.
I do as I’m told, keeping my eyes locked with his, and after a few rounds, I feel myself start to calm down.
“I’m sorry, Ellison,” Chandler says, stepping forward. “I didn’t even think about all of us showing up like this and what you might think.” He pauses. “I just thought— Well, I do have news, but like they said, Copeland’s okay,” he assures me, but the look on his face is full of confusion. I suppose, after all these years, he assumed I’d moved on from his younger brother.
“Why are you here?” Baylor asks from the computer screen. Everyone turns to look at the screen, and she waves.
“I have some news, and I thought having a support system here would be helpful. For all of you,” Chandler says, his eyes moving from mine to Leighton, to Courtlynn, and then to Baylor behind the screen.
I open my mouth to ask, but no words come out. I swallow hard, then try again. “Copeland?” There’s a quiver in my voice. I’m not sure if it’s the fear I felt for him or the fact that, after all of these years, I’ve said his name out loud. I’ve tried so hard to forget my first love, but I’ve failed miserably.
“Let’s all sit down,” Macklin suggests.
“No.” I shake my head, as if my words are not enough. “Just tell me what’s going on,” I demand, my voice growing stronger.
“Maybe sitting down is best,” Chandler says.
“Get on with it, James,” Courtlynn says.
He nods. “I promise you, Copeland is fine.” He pauses, and he looks pained as he speaks the next words. “My mom—she’s sick. Cancer.”