Total pages in book: 180
Estimated words: 176012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 880(@200wpm)___ 704(@250wpm)___ 587(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 176012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 880(@200wpm)___ 704(@250wpm)___ 587(@300wpm)
“Why are you telling me?”
“Because I think you’re the best at keeping a secret,” I explain, “and I’m too excited to keep quiet.”
She gapes at me, and I feel even happier about that. I surprised her. I don’t surprise anyone.
I called Mace, who called Farrow, who helped me take a look at my very own house. He had his own place, knew the area, and I trusted him to keep quiet, because if he knows something the ruling elite of Shelburne Falls—my brothers—don’t know, then that might amuse him.
I’m still nervous, though. What if it’s a huge mistake? It would take damn near the last of my safety net in the bank, and it needs renovations. At least the mortgage wouldn’t be bad.
I see myself standing at my new living room window, looking at the street outside in my new neighborhood, and I can’t stop feeling this incredible warmth inside my chest and down my arms.
My brothers are going to be so pissed.
“Then I’m excited for you.” She climbs to her feet and helps me up. “A new place to party.”
Oh, that’s right. Jared, Madoc, and Jax won’t worry at all if they’re at my house because Quinn never has parties.
I stop to think. Will I have people over? I’m sure I will, but I can’t say the thought of an alcohol-infused bash with a bunch of people, many of whom are younger than me, is enticing. Images of small get-togethers hit me, and that might be nice. Girls’ nights. Intimate chats with friends. Suddenly, goosebumps break out across my legs, the idea of my own space solidifying in my head. I love it. No more constant questions. Are you home? When will you be home? A little early for work, isn’t it? Who was on the phone?
I draw in a huge breath, so large I didn’t realize my lungs could hold so much. Soon, I’ll be able to cook in a home kitchen and not have someone who’s worried about me or maybe loves me a little too much making a pressuring comment or asking a question that feels like I’m still fifteen. I’ll have empty rooms, all to myself, and I can come home whenever I want, because I’m the only one with a key.
We continue through a tunnel, and I look behind me for Dylan, but she must still be detained by Hunter.
Afraid Aro might pry for more info on my recent purchase, I search for a change of subject. “Have you ever seen an old black Dodge around town?” I call out to her.
I wanted to ask anyway, and now’s a good time to get information without the whole crew on top of us.
“Old?” She sweeps her hair up into a ponytail. “How old?”
“I don’t know cars that well,” I mumble. “Maybe ’60s or ’70s?”
We push our way out and through more inflatable columns.
After a pause, she finally asks, “Why do you want to know?”
Why aren’t you answering the question?
“I was jogging the other night,” I tell her. “It…”
I don’t want to make her worry too.
“I just didn’t recognize it but thought it looked familiar,” I say, side-stepping it. “You all know everyone with a car, so I thought I’d ask.”
She turns, and I can’t tell if she bought that or not. Aro’s smart.
“There’s a ’72 black Dodge from Weston,” she finally tells me. “An auto-shop car at the high school. Lots of people drive it.”
An auto-shop car…
Okay. That makes me feel better, at least. It was just kids pulling a prank.
A crowd comes crashing in behind me, and Aro hops over a little wall to get out of the way.
A blond head rushes me, and a breath catches in my throat, seeing Lucas, but it’s just Noah.
“Wanna jump?” he asks, leaping up and down.
My face has fallen, but I quickly soften my expression to answer.
Farrow walks past, interjecting, “You just want to see boobs bounce,” he tells Noah.
“Are you talking?” Noah gripes. “Again?”
I drop my eyes, double-checking my breasts are still fully in the top. I wasn’t worried till now.
I start to cross my arms over my chest, suddenly self-conscious, but I lower them again, not wanting to be awkward.
Noah must’ve seen my insecurity because he removes his T-shirt and hands it to me.
I look at it. Then him.
His soft smile reaches his eyes, not a single hint of a hidden agenda written on his face. He’s nice, isn’t he?
I take the shirt, gazing at his tanned chest and thick arms. Dylan says he used to chop a lot of wood, but I wasn’t sure if she meant something sexual.
“Thanks,” I tell him.
I slip the shirt over my head and he darts off, catching Codi as she and Mace fall down a wall.
He grips her waist from behind. “Gotcha.”
She looks over her shoulder, that same doe-eyed, silent expression fixed on him as on everyone, including me at the shop all day.