Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 52975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
“Yeah, we can hardly keep up. I’ve been working every day, but I shifted some things around so I could come see my wifey-to-be.”
It’s hard to look like you’re smiling casually while grinding your teeth until pain shoots through your jaw. If I had a can of beer in my hand right now, I’d crush it. Full or not. I can’t stand the sound of him calling Lainey his wifey-to-be.
“Oh, that’s right!” Suki smiles brightly. “You’re engaged. Let’s see that ring.”
“You’ll need a microscope to make out the diamond,” I quip. “If you see a speck of dust on it, don’t brush it away because that—”
Lainey silences me with a murderous look. “Bash, you have five seconds to get out of my sight before I clock you. I mean that with every fiber of my being.”
I turn and go, heading for the closest bar. While I don’t like Lainey being pissed at me, I’m not sorry. Eric told me he was floored when he saw Lainey’s engagement ring, a simple silver band with a fleck of a diamond set into it.
She said it’s perfect for her because when she works in a lab, a bigger diamond would only get in the way. Bullshit. She’s just an apologist for her cheap-ass boyfriend.
I slide onto a stool at the bar next to Isaac, our starting goalie.
“How’s it going?” he asks.
I grunt at him as the bartender approaches.
“I’ll take a double shot of whiskey,” I say.
“And there’s my answer,” Isaac says.
“I don’t feel like talking.”
“Fair enough.” He holds his glass up and I clink mine against his.
“Cheers,” he says.
“Yeah, whatever.”
By evening, I’m a little drunk. I drove us to the cookout in my Jeep Wrangler, and Lainey drives it back to my place. I play loud music so I don’t have to listen to Shane. Lainey’s definitely still angry, and even though I’m a happy drunk, I have to fight my urge to turn off the music and start an argument with her over Shane.
I need to wait until I’m sober.
The top down in my jeep, Lainey’s red hair flies all over in the wind. When we’re stopped at a light, she pulls it back into a ponytail, refusing to look at me.
By the time she pulls into my garage, I’m sure she’s going to take me out back and beat me or something. There’s fire in her eyes and her lips are pressed into a thin line.
She storms into the house, Shane smirking. I want to run him over so fucking bad. Just one time, with my truck.
When I follow Shane into the house, Lainey’s petting Bruce, his tail wagging as he burrows the side of his face against her.
“Go to bed, Bash,” Lainey says. “I’ll feed Bruce and take him out.”
I get a bottle of water from the fridge and take a big swig from it. “I’m fine. I’ll take care of him.”
“You’re not fine.”
I lock my gaze onto hers. “I know whether or not I’m fine, Lane.”
“Uh...” Shane clears his throat. “I’m gonna go get my bags.”
“You’re in the last room on the left upstairs,” I say.
Lainey’s jaw comes unhinged. “No, he’s in my room.”
I shake my head, adamant. “It’s my house and I assign rooms. Lainey, you’re in my room tonight and I’m on the couch.”
“Oh, hell no,” Lainey mutters.
No way am I listening to Shitty Shane bang my best friend’s sister all weekend in my own goddamn house. I thought about it as soon as I agreed he could stay here, and this is the solution. Lainey will be in my bedroom on the main level, and from the couch, I’ll be able to see if she leaves the room.
“Shane, go get your bags,” Lainey says.
“Maybe we should just go to a hotel.”
I scowl at him. “I said you can stay here. It just won’t be a fuck fest. You aren’t even married yet. Have some class, man.”
Lainey sounds like a boiling teapot—and she looks like one, too.
“What is wrong with you, Bash?” She launches the words at me. “Why are you being such an asshole?”
“I’m just looking out for you.”
I walk past her to the living room, where I lie down on the couch. Bruce follows, curling up at my feet. She’s on his heels.
“I’m almost twenty-five, you know. I’m an adult and I’m engaged.”
“Good for you. I’m almost twenty-nine. I’m an adult and I’m single.”
I know I’m being obnoxious, but fuck it. Lainey is smart, beautiful and funny. She deserves to be treated like a fucking queen. And if she won’t see reason, I’ll sabotage her shitty relationship however I can.
“You’re just being a mean asshole.” She folds her arms and narrows her eyes at me.
I scramble into a sitting position, Bruce jumping into my lap. “He still had an active Tinder profile three months after you guys started dating, Lane. Good guys don’t do that shit.”