Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 71198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
“You made it!”
We both turn to see who’s arrived, and I know immediately that the guy who looks like he just walked out of a college frat house must be Jake. No wonder Ozzie doesn’t want to share a tent with him. The arrogant look on his face screams that he’s used to getting what he wants, and his pink polo is tucked into his shorts with his collar popped, screaming pompous jerk.
“I would have been here earlier, but no one woke me up.” He scans the room, and I see him focus on Ozzie, who looks less than happy about his presence. Obviously not feeling the love, he takes his eyes off her and looks around, smiling at the other people in the group, who all smile back. As Oliver joins him and motions for him to go make himself something to eat, I glance to where Maverick is standing. If I hadn’t gotten to know him over the last few weeks, I wouldn’t notice the tight set of his jaw as he watches Jake.
“While everyone’s eating, I’m going to run to the office to grab the stuff I laminated,” I tell Blake, hearing him say “Sure” before I quickly make my exit. As I get to my desk, I notice my cell phone is lit up, so I grab it to check and make sure I don’t have a missed call from my mom or any messages from her. When I look at the screen, I find a message from a number I don’t recognize. I slide my finger across the screen to open it up, and my heart sinks as I read a text from Lex’s mother. It informs me that she has spoken with a lawyer, and they will be in contact, since she is going to be filing for grandparents’ rights.
It takes me a few minutes to gather my composure, and once I’m sure I won’t break down, I collect the box I came to retrieve with all the pamphlets and safety information for the retreat. I’m holding on by a thread as I head back to the main room, and with my head spinning, I hurry down the hall in a rush, really wanting to get back to Blake.
I know now isn’t the time to tell him everything that’s happened, but being near him seems to always make me feel better, and now more than ever, I could use his strength.
Just before I turn the corner into the main room, the box I’m carrying is shoved into my chest, causing the air to leave my lungs in a rush and me to stumble back a step.
“Darn, I’m so sorry,” a man says, taking hold of my arms holding the box, and I blink as I come face-to-face with Jake. “Or maybe I’m not sorry.” His eyes roam over me while he grins.
Fighting the curl of my lip, I take a step back from him, and thankfully he lets me go. “It’s okay.” I step to the left to go around him, and he moves into my path.
“Do you need help?” He reaches for the box, and I shake my head.
“Thanks, I got it.” I step to the right, and he follows, blocking my way once more.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” I plaster a fake smile on my face, because he is a guest, then tip my head to the side. “Can you please move?”
He doesn’t move. Instead, he takes a step toward me, making me really understand why Ozzie doesn’t want to be around him. “What’s your name?”
“No guests are allowed back here,” Blake says sharply, and I breathe a sigh of relief when he comes into view, his face a mask of thunder.
“Sorry, man, I was looking for the restroom,” Jake tells him, then turns to me and winks. Barf. “See you around.” He turns and saunters off, and the tension in my shoulders relaxes.
“Are you okay?” Blake comes to stand in front of me, taking the box from my hold, and I nod, then shake my head. “Did he touch you?” The anger in his tone is like a physical thing swirling in the air around us.
“No, he just wouldn’t get out of my way,” I assure him, knowing right then that even if the answer were yes, I would still say no, because he looks ready to kill someone. And as much as I don’t like Jake right now, I really do not like the idea of Blake going to jail for kicking his ass, especially when I don’t have enough money to bail him out.
“Okay.” His entire being seems to relax. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m sure,” I lie, because I might be okay about what just happened, but I’m definitely not all right. The fact that I might be forced to let Lex’s mother spend time with my baby is like a knife to my gut.