Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“Sounds about right.”
“I can’t remember the last time I was that mad.” She shook her head. “You try to do something fun, and they just can’t handle it… They don’t respect anything anymore. I don’t…”
Her words trailed off, and suddenly she wasn’t walking next to me anymore. I glanced back and found her standing there with a shocked look on her face. “Liv?”
“Who is that?”
“Who are you talking about?”
I followed her line of sight, and my stomach took a nosedive when I spotted him leaning against my car. My steps faltered for half a second, but somehow, I managed to keep my footing. He was wearing jeans that rested low on his hips, a black fitted t-shirt, and boots.
Nothing at all scandalous.
But I felt an unexplainable urge to shield him from onlookers.
His eyes met mine, calm and steady. He looked completely unbothered by the fact that teachers and students were rushing about, and that pulled at something deep in my chest.
Liv leaned in and whispered, “Please tell me he’s here for you.”
“He is.”
“Who is he?” Before I could answer, she gasped, “Is that the guy from the diner?”
“Yes, it’s him.”
“Girl,” she muttered under her breath. “He is all kinds of hot.”
“Oh, I’m aware.” I swallowed. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“You better. I’m gonna expect all the deets first thing tomorrow.”
I didn’t respond. I just turned and started walking toward my car. Walker’s eyes remained on mine as I made my way over to him. As soon as I was close, he smiled and said, “Hey.”
“Hey.” I could only imagine how surprised I must have sounded when I asked, “What are you doing here?”
“Came to see you.” He gave me a slight shrug. “Sorry to show up unannounced, but I forgot to get your number.”
“Forgot?” I’d never been one to be brazen, but the words just slipped from my mouth. “I thought it was intentional.”
“Maybe,” he admitted. “I figured it was for the best.”
“And you changed your mind?”
“It would appear so,” he chuckled. “I’m a little rusty at this sort of thing.”
“You and me both.”
“You look great, by the way.”
“Thank you.” I nervously straightened my top. “I’m surprised I’m still standing. It’s been a crazy day.”
I glanced around and couldn’t help but notice several of the teachers staring at us. I had no doubt that I would be heavy on the rumor mill for days to come, but I couldn’t have cared less. He was there, and he was there to see me. That was the only thing that mattered.
“I won’t keep you. I know you’re eager to get out of here.”
“Yes, and I have to go pick up the boys and get them to practice.”
“Okay, I’ll let you get to it… But how about that number first?”
“Sure.” He offered me his phone, and after I added my number, I handed it back to him. “There ya go.”
I started to turn, already feeling the pull of everything from ball practice to the groceries I’d yet to buy, but his voice stopped me before I opened my car door. “Rae?”
I glanced back over my shoulder. “Yes?”
“Would you be up for grabbing dinner sometime?”
My stomach did a little somersault, and a smile crept across my lips as I said, “Dinner would be nice.”
Something shifted in his expression. It was subtle, but he looked relieved as he said, “Alright, good. I’ll give you a call soon, and we can figure it out.”
“Sounds good.”
For a second, neither of us moved. He just stood there looking at me, but after a moment, he finally said, “Go take care of your boys.”
It might have seemed like nothing to him, but it meant the world to me that he understood that my boys came first. I gave him one last smile and said, “Hope to hear from you soon.”
“You will.”
With that, I turned and started to put my things in my car. I glanced back and watched as he made his way back over to his bike. He didn’t rush. Instead, he moved like a man who knew exactly who he was and where he was going. When he started the engine and pulled out of the lot, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
As I started to get into my car, I spotted CeeCee standing by her car. She was watching me with a look on her face that could only be described as oh, I cannot wait to tell Dan about this.
CeeCee’s scowl followed me all the way inside my car. I could feel it, burning against my skin, as I backed out of my parking spot and all the way into traffic. She was waiting for a reaction, but I didn’t give her one.
Not today.
Not ever again.
It wasn’t easy. My old instincts were there. I still felt the need to explain myself, to defend myself, like I’d done something wrong, but I hadn’t. That was all her.