Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“So true, Wes,” one girl says, nodding at him.
I loop around behind him and pull up an empty chair, sitting on it backwards and looking over.
“It’s actually a fabrication that she said let them eat cake,” I correct Weston. “A rumor that started after her death.”
He glares at me. “Well, she might not have said it, but she acted like it.”
“Very true. The third question on the worksheet goes into that, discussing why public opinion of her was so volatile.”
“Dude. Sevan,” Noah says, blinking at me like he’s finally waking up. He holds out a hand to fist bump me. “Going to come to our party on Saturday?”
“Not sure yet. Wes tends to throw me out of Onyx parties.”
“I only threw you out once, when you tried to deck one of my friends in the face. The rules are pretty simple, Sev. I don’t like fights.”
“Maybe you’d like a fight with me. We should try sometime.”
“We’re in the middle of class. Fuck off,” he says, a flare of anger flashing behind his eyes.
I stand up quickly, the chair making a bad sound on the hardwood floor.
“I think you guys have this worksheet figured out.”
I head over and help other people out, but when I look back to Weston, he’s watching me.
I blow him a tiny kiss and he scowls at me, but I see a pink blush fall over his cheekbones when he turns away.
Left foot.
Right foot.
Every muscle firing, coming back to life.
It’s been a few hours since class. The sky is overcast and the air is only a little above freezing today, but my skin is hot and my thighs burn in the best possible way as my running shoes hit the pavement. I keep my breathing even as my lungs expand, and I turn back toward Niko.
“You’re slower than me, and my legs didn’t even work a month ago,” I say.
Niko gives me the finger and starts trying to catch up.
My phone buzzes from where I have it tucked in the pocket of my running shorts. I pull it out and I’m disappointed that it isn’t Weston replying to one of my messages from last night.
Kieran: You went to dinner with Onyx guys last night?
I did.
AND??? Did you find anything out?
How many pills does it take before you start typing every word in caps?
You know why it matters to me.
I didn’t find anything out, because there’s probably nothing to find out. See you later, Kier.
Right as I’m about to slide my phone away, the screen lights up again and this time, it’s at least a call from a person I don’t mind speaking to.
“Hey, Mom,” I say.
“Hi, Angie,” Niko says loud enough that she’ll hear.
“How’s it going, boys?” she asks.
“Niko and I are on a run,” I tell her. “You doing okay, Mom?”
“My water heater is out. But Sheri’s coming over to help me out with it.”
“Mom, you’ve got to check if the pilot light is on at the bottom. Make sure no gas is spilling out into the house, okay?”
She laughs. “That was the first thing Sheri told me to do, too. Pilot light is fine, sweetie.”
“Good. And you’re fine?”
Her sigh alone is enough to make my chest tighten. “I’ll be okay, Sevvie. I just… well, you already know. I wish I had a partner at times like these.”
“Sheri knows how to fix things even better than I do. She’ll help you more than anyone could.”
She chats with me a little more about my plans to drive back home for one night sometime in the near future, and I’m relieved when I hear that she’s been seeing Sheri and a few other friends more.
“I’ll let you go. Enjoy the rest of your run,” she says.
“Bye, Mom. Remember, you’re strong. And I’d say you’re better off alone, but I know you don’t agree.”
She laughs. “Talk to you later.”
Niko slaps me on the arm as I shove my phone back into my pocket.
“What?” I protest.
“You don’t have to try to sell everyone else on being a lone wolf just because you are.”
I roll my eyes. “Just because you’re in a happy couple doesn’t mean I want to be.”
“Someday, some lucky woman will be the one to change your mind.”
I pick up the pace of my jog. “My mom just got divorced for the fourth time. There are only so many weddings you can sit through before you start to picture the awful ending each time. I want nothing to do with that shit. I like being alone, Niko.”
“Maybe your mom just believes in love.”
“Well, maybe her life would be a lot less hollow if she gave that up,” I say, bitterness creeping into my tone.
“Damn. Who hurt you, Sev?”
I pull in a long breath. “I just don’t need anyone else to make me feel whole.”
We run in a comfortable silence for a while.