Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 149209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 746(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 746(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
I’ve got so many reasons why this move is a great idea. But if Bethany found out who I actually am, would she see it as anything other than an epically underhanded betrayal?
No.
Shit, my subterfuge is getting deep and difficult. I’m not sure I know how to dig my way out anymore. I’ll have to figure it out soon. I don’t have a choice because, for us to have any sort of future, I’ll eventually have to tell her the truth.
CHAPTER NINE
My feet ache like a bitch. I’ve worked five straight days slinging drinks, each day seemingly busier than the last. Finally, our Saturday night shift is blessedly over. So is the New Year’s rush. Most people who lingered this holiday week will be flying home later today.
In a few hours, Bethany and I will be moving in together. Despite all the secrets and lies between us, I can’t wait to be closer to her.
“Hey.” Ash slaps me on the back as I make my way out of the bathroom, shaking my hands dry because Andy has been too busy playing Candy Crush to order paper towels.
“Hey.” I nod his way. “Crazy night, huh?”
He falls in beside me as we trek down the employees-only hall. “Yeah. I’m really hoping next week isn’t so insane.”
“I’m with you on that, man. You heading out with Samantha for the night?”
“Yep.”
“How’s that going?”
“Well, I’m not getting any, but—”
“Really? Even though you’ve spent the last few nights with her?”
He nods. “Crazy, right? But we talk. A lot. About anything and everything. It’s not like being with Montana. She only wanted to fuck. I actually like that I’m getting to know more about Sam than her erogenous zones.”
This is the first time I’ve ever heard Ash say that waiting for sex isn’t a deal breaker.
“That’s cool. So it’s going well?”
“Yeah. Once she got past the shyness, I found out she has this quirky sense of humor I dig. Her mental Wikipedia of movie knowledge is damn impressive, too. What about you and Beth?”
“We’re moving in together today, so I’ll be off your sofa. Sorry I haven’t had a chance to tell you before now. It happened fast.”
He turns and blocks my path, stopping me. “Are you getting information from her? Or falling for her?”
I can’t bullshit Ash. He’ll see right through me. “Dude, I already fell. I never realized what I wanted or needed in a woman until her.”
“How does she feel about you?”
“She says she’s falling, too. I think she feels something. We haven’t put labels on it yet.” I blow out a breath. “I sound crazy, don’t I?”
“Sound?” He barks out a laugh. “We both know you are.”
I give him a good-natured grin. “True enough.”
“I’ve known you awhile, bro. You wouldn’t have feelings for Beth if she wasn’t worthy of them. Does she know…everything?”
“Who I am?” I shake my head. “I need to figure out how to tell her without killing her trust. She’s been through a lot.”
“What happened to finding your dad’s money and figuring out her role in the scam?”
“I don’t know anything right now.” And I need to for our future. For my brothers’ sanity.
“You can’t just forget about it. I get that you’re really into Beth, but she’s your only hope of learning—”
“The truth. I know, and I’m not letting that go. But if I don’t handle this situation right, I’ll lose her.” I rake a hand through my hair. “I’ve wedged myself between a rock and a hard place, and I don’t know how to get out. Any ideas?”
“No. Just be sure you know what you’re doing. But if it turns out she’s innocent and you want a future with her, my advice is to be as honest as possible—quickly. Every day you wait is just another day she’ll think you’ve betrayed her.”
I hate it, but he’s fucking right.
After he sends me an apologetic shrug, he turns to find Samantha, purse in hand, waiting by the back door.
As Andy shoos everyone out, I notice Montana looking cozy with a buff tourist. Apparently, he’ll be filling Ash’s vacancy beside her tonight. Terry is finally back at work, but his energy flagged as the evening wore on, and he spent the last couple of hours in the back, rather than behind the bar.
I don’t see Bethany anywhere.
With a frown, I poke my head into the break room. Her locker is open and empty, so she probably grabbed her purse and went outside. Sure, it’s a nice evening, but I’ve warned her that Paul Daniels is likely coming back for his pound of flesh. Andy finally addressed the issue today and forced Montana to wait on him, but I worry that roadblock only motivated Bethany’s former client more.
She shouldn’t be alone outside.
Fishing my buddy’s car keys from my pocket, I jog out to the sultry night. Ash and Samantha are already in her car and heading out of the lot. Andy locks up behind me, then makes a beeline for his truck. Montana and the tourist have disappeared already, probably on foot to his hotel nearby. Terry slumps to his beat-up VW, looking nearly ready to fall over in exhaustion.