Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“He wants you.” Sloane grins, bouncing her eyebrows.
“Stop.” I push at her shoulder, and she laughs. “Chaz was hounding me, and Landry noticed. He walked up to me and put his arm around me, and before either of us knew what was happening, he was telling Chaz that he and I were dating. He even went as far as to offer Chaz his hand and thank him for screwing up with me and letting him have his chance.”
“Damn, Reynolds is bringing his A game.” Sloane nods approvingly.
“Good. I’m glad he’s helping you. But, as his sister who only wants to see her big brother happy, keep an open mind, yeah?”
“Trust me, that’s not where this is going.”
“She’s all loved up with her new hubby, and now she wants everyone around her to be in the same boat,” Sloane explains.
“I don’t know that being loved up is anywhere in my future.”
“Count me in. If I ever find a man who looks at me the way Knox looks at our girl here, I’m all in,” Sloane says.
“Just be careful,” I warn her. “Make sure those looks are real, and—never mind. I know I’m jaded, and I hope one day that will change. I ignored so many signs because I didn’t want to be alone. It took him sending me to the hospital to realize I wasn’t living and that bad attention isn’t better than no attention. I wasn’t getting comfort and affection, but it was all that I knew, so I put up with it. Please, just make sure, before you take the leap, that he’s truly one of the good ones. Like them.” I nod to where the guys are as they head in our direction.
“You’ll find him,” Corie tells me. “And when you do, give yourself the freedom to try again. To put your trust and your love in someone who deserves it.”
I nod because there’s a knot in my throat, making it impossible to speak.
“You ladies about ready to head out?” Knox asks. He walks over to stand behind Corie and places his hands on her shoulders.
I feel two strong hands on mine as well and tilt my head back to see Landry standing behind me. “You ready to head home?”
“I drove.” We’re not together, but he’s pulling this off. I’ll give him that.
“I know, but you aren’t leaving here when he can follow you. As far as we know, he doesn’t know what you’re driving. I’ll drive you back to my place. We’re all headed there anyway to swim and chill. I’ll bring you back later.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“You’re my girl.” Landry shrugs as if those three words don’t send my heart racing.
“I agree with him,” Baker speaks up. “We don’t know if he’s watching, and it wouldn’t make sense for you to leave without each other. I rode with Foster, so I’ll just drive your car back to Landry’s place. Easy fix.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Honestly, you’re saving me. Have you ever ridden with this guy?” He points to Foster, who just chuckles.
“Thank you, Baker.”
“You’re welcome. So, we’re all heading back to Landry’s. Do we need any supplies?” Baker asks.
“Nope. I’m all stocked up. We have food for the grill, snacks, drinks, and beer. If I don’t have it, we don’t need it,” Landry jokes. “I even got that fruity shit you ladies love so much. We’re doing Fourth of July right,” he says with excitement.
“Bro, are you hungry again?” Foster asks.
“Is that a real question?” Landry grins at him.
Foster shakes his head, amusement lining his features. “Let’s get out of here.”
Landry offers me his hand, and I take it, allowing him to help me to my feet. Together, our fingers laced, we head out of the stadium with our heads held high. We made it through today, but I know this isn’t the last I’ll hear from Chaz. I could feel his eyes on us all day, and I’m sure he was seething but trying to maintain his composure to protect his image and his new position on the team.
He’ll get to me sooner or later, and when he does, that’s when I’ll have to leave.
Chapter Eleven
Landry
“Run it again!” Coach Warner calls out.
We meet on the line of scrimmage. Thomas Keen, our center, hikes the ball, and I take off like a rocket. Swinging my arms, I run as fast as I can to get there. Looking over my shoulder, I see the ball headed straight for me, just as the play calls for, and I also see that fuck face, Brown, and his slow ass trying to get to me in time. Joke’s on him. My feet have had wheels on them every day since camp started. I’m fast on any given day, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t motivated to outrun that motherfucker.