Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
I press a hand to the small of her back, guiding her toward the door. “Let me set the alarm real quick.”
I arm the system, and it emits three rapid chirps, letting me know it's set. “That’s our cue.” I usher her out the door, locking it before hitting the remote start for my truck.
Scarlet immediately commandeers the radio, connecting her phone to my Bluetooth so she can blast some nineties girl-power country anthems.
She hums along to every song, but when “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” comes on, I belt it out at the top of my lungs right alongside her.
“Parking lot's full,” she says as The Creek comes into view. “I was expecting it to be a small crowd since it's invite-only.”
I shrug scanning the lot until I find Atlas’s truck. “Atlas and Nora are already here.”
“Who's watching James again?” she asks, angling her body toward mine.
“Sydney from her foundations of learning class.”
“That's right.” Scarlet's shoulders curl in, putting me on high alert.
“What's wrong?”
“Nothing.” She turns back to me. “I promise. I'm just caught up in my own head about stupid things.”
I reach across the console and cup her cheek. “Nothing you think or feel is stupid, Scarlet.”
She presses her cheek into my palm, nuzzling me sweetly “I’m just nervous about meeting her school friends. It's dumb. I know...” She blinks rapidly before forcing herself to continue. “I know I'm a lot and that not everyone likes—”
My chest tightens as the realization that I'm the reason she thinks she’s unlikeable crashes into me with the force of a tsunami. “Fucking hell, baby girl. I am so, so sorry.” Fitting, since the guilt might actually drown me.
Her eyebrows squish together. “For what?”
“I know I'm the reason you feel that way. But, I need you to listen to me right now, okay? To really hear me...” I wait until she nods. “Yeah, okay, I'm listening.”
“You are fucking likeable. You're more than likeable. You’re—” I almost tell her she’s loveable but manage to catch myself in time. “You’re a good person who deserves good things. You’re smart, loyal, kind, and fierce. I'm so damn sorry I ever made you feel any way other than that.”
“It’s fine.” She tries to downplay all of it, including my role in it. “It's fine. And it's not like it was just you. I chose to internalize it.” She fluffs her hair. “No hard feelings.”
I scoff. “Lots of hard feelings, but I swear I'll make it up to you, any way you want.”
“Any way?” she wags her brows. “Because I can certainly think of a few.”
“Any way,” I confirm. “Starting tonight. But we better head inside before Atlas starts blowing up my phone asking where we are.”
“If we don’t hurry, Nora will decide she misses James too much and bail.”
“Wouldn’t want that.” I kill the engine, and we both hop down, meeting at the tailgate.
I grab her hand, twining our fingers together without hesitation before heading for the door.
Loud music and the scent of sizzling steak meets us about halfway to the door.
“Smells good,” she murmurs.
“Important question... how do you like your steak?” I look down at her, my eyes wide. “Your answer here might be a deal breaker.”
“Medium rare,” she says, the duh all but implied.
“Good girl.” I grip the handle and pull, holding the door open for her.
She shakes her head as she strides past me, all sass as she says, “That’s my line.”
“Fuck yeah, it is,” I crowd her from behind, slipping my arms around her middle. “And I’m looking forward to being your good boy when we get home.”
“Jesus fucking Christ,” Atlas gags, making us jump apart. “Don’t think I’m ever gonna get used to that.”
I glare at him as I loop two fingers through her belt loops, tugging her closer. “Better get used to it… and fast.”
He pinches the bridge of his nose. “Got us a table in the back,” he says, giving us his back as he stomps off.
“Off to a great start,” Scarlet murmurs, her shoulders rounding in.
“Fuck him.” She whips around to face me as I go on, “Yeah, yeah. He’s like a brother to me, but part of being a good friend is calling your friends on their shit. And he is most definitely on some shit when it comes to you. And, yes, I am well aware I bought into said shit for far too long.”
We fall into step behind him, walking single file to a rectangular high-top table, where Nora’s chatting with two woman I don’t know.
“Oh, Cara, you’re here,” Scarlet says, rushing forward to greet the short, but curvy brunette.
“I am.” She beams. “This is Sophie.”
“Hi, it’s so nice to meet you.” She reaches out and shakes Sophie’s hand. “You know Nora already, Cara, and I’m sure y’all already did your own introductions.” She grabs my hand and yanks me forward. “This is Ellis.”