Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“I want Zariah back. I want her here with me. I need to fix this.”
“Okay, so we fix you first. That’s not going to work until you deal and can see her needs too. I heard what happened.
“She’s not wrong. I know you and I’m sure I can tell you how you fucked things up. I promise, you pull it together, I’ll help you get her back,” he replies.
“He was my best friend, my dad. This shit fucking hurts. I’m trying to see past that, man. I’m trying real hard, but all I can see right now is how I’m fucking everything up. I just don’t know how to stop.”
“You breathe, big bro. You breathe. You’re not alone. You can do this, breathe.”
I cling to his words. He isn’t wrong. I’m not going to keep shitting on Zah’s feelings just for my own comfort.
I’m bleeding out, and when she’s around, I seem to keep bleeding all over her. I need her, but I love her more than myself. I want to be whole for her so I can be there when she needs me. This reminds me of what my father once said.
There will be a time when you’ll know she has to come first. That one time when you’re asking too much of her love and you have to be the one to make a sacrifice ... You’ll know what needs to be done when that day comes.
This is it. It’s that moment. It’s time for me to make a sacrifice.
So I breathe just like Garret is telling me to. I breathe and promise myself that I’m not going to go after Zah until I’m ready to be the man she deserves.
CHAPTER 27
Reunion
Zahirah
Eight years and four months later …
“You look hot as fuck. My brother is going to lose his shit.”
“Are you sure this isn’t doing too much? I mean, I don’t want to send any mixed signals.”
I wasn’t going to come out for this game at all. However, Bentley called and asked me to come. I was surprised to hear from him. We haven’t spoken in almost eight and a half years.
I’ll admit, hearing his voice rumble through the line did something to me. I’ve missed him so much. It has taken everything in me to keep my distance.
However, mid-season of his second season, he started to look more like himself. Healthier mentally and physically. I hadn’t wanted to get in the way of that progress, so I was extremely happy when he reached out first.
Now here we are in Vegas for one of his away games. I’m so nervous and don’t know what to expect. Because he has a bye week next weekend, he doesn’t plan to return with the team after.
We’re spending the weekend here. Bentley, his older siblings, his best friend, Baker, and me. I nervously fidget with the hem of my dress, then reach for the teddy bear charm on my necklace and bring it to my lips.
“No, you’re not doing too much. I think it’s just enough to remind him what he’s missing and keep him on his toes.”
“But I’m not trying to do any of that.”
“Why not? The man is still crazy about you and you’re both miserable without each other.”
“Whatever, fine. We’re going to be late.”
I grab my little purse and fur and head out with my best friend to meet the rest of her siblings and Baker in the lobby so we can head to the stadium. Yes, a fur. It was waiting for me when we arrived at our suite.
A late birthday gift from Bentley. I’ve been trying not to read too much into that. The card was sweet.
Something to keep you warm. Thank you for coming.
Happy belated birthday.
Love,
Bent
I smile as I think about finding the gift waiting for me. Erica packed this minidress and heels for me. I had jeans and a jersey prepared to wear tonight.
Now looking around at everyone else, I see I would have been out of place. All the Coswells have dressed up for this. Eddy and Tara are the only ones not here as they’re still not old enough.
When we get to our box at the arena, I get the dress code. There’s a little party happening. Garret and Baker remain close to my side the entire game. There’s this one guy who’s been trying to get a little too close.
I blame Erica and this tight little dress with the fuck-me patent leather heels. The right side of the dress, under my arm and across my stomach, is bare. I had to be out of my mind to agree to wear this.
The champagne has been flowing, loosening my nerves a bit. I can’t help but wonder what Bentley is going to say when he sees me. We have so much we should say to one another.