Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 74022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
I shake my head. “Look, we can both go over this, a million times over, but the truth is you asked me, and back then, I honestly thought I was fine with it, until I started seeing you coming around, and suddenly, I wasn’t okay with it, and that’s not your fault. I told you there was nothing there, if anyone has something to be sorry about it’s me. But in the end, as I said, we can both go over this a million times over. It doesn’t change facts. I told him to make a choice. Or to let us both go. I also said if he lets us go, he needs to let us go for good. We can’t be friends.”
Chantelle nods, and her eyes look a little sad. “No, we can’t be friends.”
“I told him I’d move out, and he’d need to find a new carer for Cassie if he decided on you, or neither of us. It’s up to you what you do. But I hope we’ll all finally get some peace, because right now, I feel like I’m hanging by a thread.”
Chantelle nods.
“Yeah,” she whispers. “Me too.”
And I know she means it.
We’re both done.
We’ve both just had enough.
~17~
NOW – CHANTELLE
Banging at my door wakes me up from a very restless sleep.
I blink and rub my eyes, glancing over at the time. It’s two am. What in the ever-loving hell? With a groan, I push myself up and listen further. More banging. Loud, boisterous banging. Someone wants me. I can take a wild guess at who that someone is, too. I sigh and run a hand down my face.
Penelope left just before midnight after we were done talking. I appreciated her visit, and her honesty, and I respect the hell out of her for having the courage to do it, but now I’m exhausted and I don’t need round two. But the banging isn’t going to stop, and so I throw my legs out of the bed and walk toward the bedroom door, running my fingers through my hair as I move.
I’m tired.
This better be damned good.
My patience is basically non-existent right now.
I reach the front door and swing it open to see Boston about to bang again. His hand drops down when he sees me, and one good look at him tells me he’s been drinking. I wouldn’t say he’s completely wasted, he’s steady on his feet, but he’s most certainly indulged in more than a few drinks.
“Boston, seriously, I’m not in the mood for this,” I murmur, holding the door frame.
“Yeah, well, neither fuckin’ am I.”
I close my eyes for calm. “You got yourself into this mess. Now,” I open my eyes and hold his, “I figured I made myself pretty damned clear, so what the hell are you doing here?”
“Need to talk with you.”
“About what?” I mutter, my voice impatient. “What exactly is there to discuss. You have a choice to make. You treated me like I didn’t exist tonight. That hurt. I didn’t fucking deserve it. So, I ask again, why in the hell are you here?”
“You got someone in there?”
His question startles me, and I jerk my head back, blinking. “Pardon me?”
“Is that why you want me gone?”
Good lord.
“What would it matter?” I throw at him. “I told you I was done, I’m not being a part of this little love triangle anymore. So, why the hell would it matter if I’ve been fucking another man all night long?”
His eyes flare and he takes a step. I drop my arm without thought, then curse when he strides past me and down the hall. That man has lost it, but damn, he looks so god damned sexy striding down my hall with a purpose. He shoves my door open and flicks the light on, glancing around, then turns back to me. “Why the fuck are you doin’ this to me?”
His voice sounds pained, and that sucks.
Even though I shouldn’t feel sorry for him, I do. Because it must suck for him, even if I hate admitting that.
“I’m doing nothing to you.”
“Saw you there tonight, talkin’ to Damon, leanin’ against him, didn’t fuckin’ like it.”
“Ditto, Boston. I saw the same with Penny. But remember, this is on you. You could have had me, all to yourself, but I wasn’t good enough. If I move on, you’re going to have to deal with that, because it’s your choice, it is not mine.”
“Stop fuckin’ sayin’ you weren’t good enough, you are,” he growls, frustrated, running his hands through his hair.
“Ah, but I’m not. Or there wouldn’t have been a choice.”
“You don’t fuckin’ understand,” he barks, tossing his hand out and then curling it into a fist. “Fuck, you don’t fuckin’ get it. I want you so bad I can’t fuckin’ think, I’m here because I can’t stand to be away from you, I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.”