Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
“It’s technically a Save-the-Date.”
His pupils flame.
“Stacy probably sent it. Rylee may not even know I was on the list. Minute details were never her thing.”
“Well, that makes Mom a heartless bitch. She’s out of our lives, too.”
“That won’t be difficult, seeing as I haven’t spoken to her in almost a year.”
The last time I saw my mom flashes in my mind. The way she stood next to Rylee, supporting her relationship with the man who I thought loved me. We had recently broken up and in my heart, I knew it was for the best. But seeing him with my sister and learning they’d had an affair was too much. If it wasn’t for my dad, I’m not sure what would have happened that day. He got me out of the house and straight to Chase as my world crumbled.
Mom called me a few times afterward, trying to settle the peace, but the last straw was when she told me I was making her choose between her daughters.
Like I was the problem.
I informed her she no longer had to worry about making any choices, her statement said it all.
A glass of wine is placed in my hand and I shoot my grandma a grateful grin. “Thanks.”
“Chase is right. We’re all done. I’ll never understand how Sterling stands by this farce.”
“Dad moved out last week.”
Our heads both swing to my brother, who just dropped a bomb. “What?”
“He’s staying in the corporate apartment until he finds something else.”
“Why?”
Chase cuts his eyes to me in repulsion. “Because he finally put his foot down. Asked them to hold off on the wedding, to really think this through. Rylee ignored him. Then he demanded Rylee and Joe attend pre-marital counseling. They refused. Mom went behind his back and is lying to the world about this sham. He gave her a choice. She chose wrong. Siding with Rylee.”
“What does this mean? Is he divorcing her?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Why now? Rylee and Joey came out publicly over a year ago.”
“He was holding out hope. Joe Wynn is a motherfucking piece of shit. Add in his reputation as a cheater, and it was only a matter of time. Cheaters always cheat. He figured it would happen before they went through with the wedding.”
“Dad was hoping Joseph would cheat on Rylee?”
“Or vice versa. Rylee wasn’t innocent. One of them was bound to revert back to their ways.”
“Wow, now I’m responsible for a broken home because they remained faithful?”
“That’s shit and you know it. You’re not responsible for how anyone in this situation acted. Don’t know how you walked away with such class.”
“My dignity is all I had left.”
“That’s bullshit, too. You had us. You’ll always have us.”
“I know that now, but in those few months, I was humiliated.”
“I should beat his ass again for that.” Chase tosses his beer in the trash and gets another.
“Enough of this. Those people don’t get another second of our time tonight. Let’s talk about dinner. Grandpa wants barbeque, but I told him it was Willow’s decision. He’ll pick it up on his way over.”
I grin into my glass. My grandpa’s love for barbeque is in line with his love for family. He jokes that I cut my teeth on baby back ribs. “That sounds good.”
“Psst, don’t agree because you have a soft spot for him. You’re always too giving. How about that fancy Italian restaurant?”
“Had my fill of Italian this week.” This is partly true. I had lasagna last night, even if it was a microwave dinner. But even the temptation of my favorite restaurant doesn’t appeal.
“Chinese? Thai? Burger and fries?” she tries again.
I shake my head, raising my almost empty glass. “The only thing I’m in the mood for is the rest of this bottle.”
Her gaze fills with sympathy and she scoots to my side. “We should have gotten here earlier.”
“Believe it or not, the announcement doesn’t bother me. It just drummed up memories of that stupid, naïve girl who didn’t stick up for herself and have a voice.”
“I’m not sure you’ve found that voice yet. How many hours did you put in this week?” Chase quirks an eyebrow in question.
“Not as many as last week,” I counter.
“And how many people have you covered for?”
“Does it matter? Every minute of experience is invaluable. I’m a few months away from boards.”
“You’ll ace that like you do everything. What about having a life?”
“I have a life! Last weekend I went out with friends.”
“Did this outing involve studying?”
“No, smartass. We went to a charity softball event and then to a bar.”
“A bar, huh? Did it serve alcohol or those frou-frou coffee drinks?”
“Alcohol.”
Grandma wiggles at my side, squealing. “Any cute guys?”
The memory of the gorgeous stranger floods my mind. The way his body surrounded mine protectively, the heat in his touch, the husky deep voice whispering against my lips.