Total pages in book: 180
Estimated words: 176012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 880(@200wpm)___ 704(@250wpm)___ 587(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 176012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 880(@200wpm)___ 704(@250wpm)___ 587(@300wpm)
But still… “Why do I want to own a run-down, old building before I own a house?”
“This is a house.”
“It’s our house, Lucas.” But it wasn’t Lance who said it. I glanced at Drew, his hands still in his pockets and his shoulders relaxed.
He approached and gripped my shoulder where it connected to my neck, squeezing with a light in his eyes.
I’d known these two since we started college two-and-a-half years ago. Now, here we were, last half of our third year, and we’d kept our circle small and close. I liked my friends, and for the first time, I had people I chose rather than people who were obligated to care about me. Not that I’d ever felt like a burden to my mom, but it was nice to create my own circle. Madoc would never tell me I wasn’t welcome anymore, but his life was very different from when it was just us. I was a responsibility he didn’t need anymore.
“What do you want to do here?” I teased.
“Oh, I plan on being my own worst enemy,” Drew replied with a smirk. “And you can handle security.”
Security?
I pinch my brow. “You want cameras outside?”
I’d installed them for my mom a few months ago.
“And in my room,” he added.
Lance snorted, and I just drew in a breath that felt heavy already. He said shit like that to make me nervous, but I knew he wouldn’t film girls in his bed.
And definitely not without their knowledge.
Drew headed to the back, toward a staircase, and spun around. “First dibs!” he called.
Lance darted after him, and I followed, joining them in exploring and daydreaming of the possibilities. My mom would freak if she found out I spent money on something like this. Madoc, on the other hand, would want in. He never really grew up, in all the right ways.
Staring out an upstairs window, I spotted a little girl, maybe eight, with a ski cap covering the top of her head and dressed in an oversized hoodie as she carried a backpack. She trudged through the snow in what looked like broken Doc Martens and stopped in front of a darkened shop window. Quickly surveying the area, she jammed her elbow into the glass. It broke, and she reached in, unlocking the door before she opened it and disappeared inside.
Drew and Lance were in another room, no one but me seeing her. And to my surprise, I didn’t move. Didn’t call the police. Didn’t run to stop her.
Madoc has showed up for me for years. Made sure I was seen. Remembered.
No one in the Falls remembers that Weston is still here. It’s my turn to show up for others.
Weston became my cause, like I had been Madoc’s. I had the best of intentions, but in the end, my intentions weren’t the legacy.
Hours later, and I wake up in my teenage bed for the last time. Tonight, I’ll be on a plane.
I check my phone. 9:48 a.m.
I haven’t slept that late in years, but I blame the jet lag. And the fact that I didn’t get to sleep until almost five. Quinn was already at the bakery. I saw a small light on when I passed by. After our conversation on the phone last night, I couldn’t sleep. Even when I got into bed, I struggled.
It wasn’t so much her words, but her tone. Playful. Inviting.
Promising.
Like she had a world of adventure in front of her, and she finally realized it. What I wouldn’t give for that feeling again.
She was toying with me, but fuck, if I were Noah or Farrow…
Where would I take her? I’m lost in my head, dreaming a pointless dream where I’m younger. A different man with a different life and a pretty young woman like that is talking to me.
Heat rushes to my groin, and I shut my eyes. Shit.
Climbing out of bed, I grab the compass off my nightstand and walk to the window. I find north-northwest.
What would my life be like if Green Street never started? If I’d never met Drew Reeves, or fucked up in a way that altered my life in one moment?
I would’ve stayed.
The summer looms ahead, warm rain and lake days and eating outside on Madoc’s patio…
I had it good.
My phone rings, and I jerk my head, on alert for Hugo Navarre. I’d ignored the call last night, too worried about Quinn, but I wanted to talk to him.
He’s not worried about the trouble that sent me away. He’s worried, because I still own that building. After a while, Lance hadn’t wanted any part of it, so I bought his half. I should’ve went with him.
I don’t give a shit about the building. I want nothing to do with any of it.
I pick up my phone, seeing the real estate agent’s name, instead.