Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88225 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88225 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“Where’s your car, Saga?” he asks.
I blink a few times. He just said my name. A name I never gave him. This one is a quick one. He downloaded all of that information in a matter of moments.
I like men who pay attention to details.
I’m not even going to go there. The last thing I need in my life is another man. The last one didn’t do me any good.
“It’s in the lot. I made it here before it gave out,” I murmur.
“Keys,” he says, holding out his hand.
I eye his long fingers warily. I don’t have many options. I can’t afford to call a tow.
Reluctantly, I reach into my purse and retrieve my key. I hand it over and his smile broadens. He looks at the emblem and gives a whistle.
“Mercedes. Nice. Jared, can you check out her car and see what’s going on?” he says to the guy he called over.
“Got it, boss.”
“Do they all wait on you hand and foot?” I ask as the guy rushes off with my key.
“Nope. We’re a family. I take care of them. They take care of me,” he replies.
“Must be nice,” I say, looking over to the group watching us.
I mean it. I haven’t had family to look out for me in so long. I wanted to live the big life in New York and I ran off to do just that. I don’t know how to go home with my tail between my legs.
I mean, that’s where I’m headed, but I don’t know what I’m going to do once I arrive in Cali. Daddy will be so disappointed. He never wanted me to leave in the first place.
“The wings are getting cold. Come on. Let’s eat. Then we can talk some more,” he says, watching me.
I stare at the food before us and get ready to decline, but my stomach tightens and warns me not to pull any stupid shit. Fixing my car may leave me starving for real after tonight.
“Thank you,” I say, reaching for a fry.
Soon, I’ve placed food on one of the extra plates and I’m devouring fries and the wings he offers me. It doesn’t take long before I notice he’s not eating much with me. I pause and push my plate away.
“Why’d you stop? You’re adorable when you eat,” he says with a smile.
“Why aren’t you eating?”
“I had a burger and fries. I’m good for now,” he says.
“So why order all of this?”
He sits back, assessing me. Those eyes, probing and searching for more. I look away, not sure what I might reveal.
“I watched you before I came over. I could tell you were hungry. Now eat up,” he says.
“I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Hey, boss. Her ride is busted. It’s not moving anywhere without some major attention. I wouldn’t be able to patch her up, not out there anyway,” Jared says as he returns.
That’s it. That’s the final straw. I cover my face and start to silently sob. I feel the weight of the last six months deep down in my soul.
“Hey,” he whispers in my ear as he wraps an arm around me. I can feel his warmth seep into me now that he’s seated beside me. “It’s going to be fine. We’ll take care of it. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not your problem,” I sniffle.
“It’s no problem at all. Where were you headed? Maybe we can drop you off,” he says soothingly.
“Cali.”
“All right. My tour ends in Cali. We’re a ways out from the end, but we’ll figure something out. Let’s go get your things onto the bus,” he says.
“What? I can’t just get on your bus. I don’t know you,” I say through my tears.
“Give me your phone,” he says.
I look at him curiously. He has that hand out again. I hand over the phone and watch him.
“Unlock it,” he says, handing it back.
Dummy.
I chide myself and unlock the phone for him. He takes it back, grinning at me. Reaching up with his free hand, he wipes the tears from my cheeks.
“Ah, look at this. You talk to your dad. I’ll just call him and let him know you’ll be with me—”
“Oh, hell no,” I say and go to snatch my phone back.
“Okay, okay, not your dad,” he chuckles and looks back at the phone. “Is Isha a safer bet?”
I bite my lip and think for a moment. Isha was my first friend in New York. We lived together for my second year there. We’ve become best friends.
“Yes, she’s safe,” I reply.
He dials the number and places it on speaker. I don’t realize I’m holding my breath until Isha picks up. I look up into those blue eyes and they’re twinkling at me.
“About time you checked in. How’s the drive going?” Isha answers.
“Hey, Isha. This is Saga’s new friend. My name is Bishop Love—”
“What the fuck? You’re lying. Where’s Saga?” Isha gasps into the phone, cutting him off.