Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83236 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83236 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“Kyla,” Carlos whispers warmly. Before I realize what he has planned, he takes me in his arms and hugs me tightly. “I’m so glad you came today,” he whispers in my ear.
“Hey,” I respond, looking around in a panic, praying Torin doesn’t see us.
“Will you sit with me at the funeral?” he asks, and my heart runs away with me.
“Carlos, it wouldn’t be right. That’s for family,” I instantly respond. Sitting with him would be bad. Way bad.
“He’s my brother and I want you there. Please?” he asks.
Fuck, fuck, fuck! I’m trapped. Torin is going to kill me. “I really would feel weird.”
“You shouldn’t. I want you there and that’s all that matters.” He puts his hand against the small of my back, and I try not to cringe. “Are you guys done here?” he asks, turning around to face Gabby.
“You two go ahead. I’ll meet you there. I’m going to go check on Mom,” Gabby responds. I bite my tongue to keep from begging her to stay with me.
“They’re already outside, Sis, waiting for the service to start.”
“I guess I’ll go too, then. Besides, the food is ready except for the things that need to stay in the fridge until it’s time for everyone to come in and eat. I had Tug fill up the coolers. We should be set.”
I step back, hoping Gabby takes the hint and gets between us. She doesn’t. Unfortunately, she doesn’t even get on the other side of Carlos. She follows behind us. I feel my face heat with discomfort. It looks even more like the two of us are together. Shit.
I know this is a mistake. Torin is going to be pissed. The problem is that I have no idea how to get out of it. I mean, he’s not asking me out. He wants me to sit with them at a funeral for his dead brother. How do you turn that down without sounding like a bitch? I need to find time to talk to Torin.
Carlos takes my hand in his and leads me toward the area outside where the service will be held. I feel my heartbeat running away with me. I don’t know how my body knows, but I can tell that Torin is looking at me. Quickly looking around, I try to find him. When I do, my heart drops to my feet. He’s standing by a storage shed, leaning against it and talking to Raze. His eyes are all but drilling into me. I can see the anger on his face, but it’s more than that. He’s hurt. Fuck.
On the other side of us, I notice Dom, King, and my sister standing and talking. I open my mouth to tell Carlos that I need to go stay with my sister because it’s clear she’s upset. I don’t get the words out before Carlos leans down and whispers close to my ear so I can hear him. “I really appreciate you staying with me, Kyla. I’m having a really hard time with all of this. I just might make it through the service with you close by.”
I snap my mouth shut. I’m well and truly screwed. I just smile at Carlos and nod. “That’s what friends are for,” I answer lamely. I say it a little louder than I normally would. I’m praying that Torin hears me. I want him to know that there’s nothing to any of this. It won’t help a lot, but I’m hoping it will keep him from going caveman and carrying me away, bent over his shoulder. As we turn and walk toward our seats, I look over my shoulder to smile at Torin.
He doesn’t return it.
Chapter 35
Joker
As if the past three days haven’t been a living hell, I stand still like a fucking schmuck as the woman I love walks by, holding hands with an asshole who wants her in his bed. Doubts begin to arise again that she’s having second thoughts about what I have to offer her. Shit, maybe someone like this Carlos loser is exactly what she wants. Just the thought of it is enough to cause a burning in my gut that is physically painful.
When she looks at me, I see guilt written on her face. Motherfucker. It takes everything I am not to go over there and beat the fuck out of that asshole and carry Skylar away. I don’t do that shit. I know it’s not the time. It still pisses me off that I’m even in this situation.
“Dude, are you listening?” Raze asks and I want to look at him and say fuck no, I’m not listening. I don’t, mostly because I’m so angry I’d probably scream it. I look at him blankly and Raze just shakes his head. “I said we need to move to our seats. Our club is all sitting together in the back three rows.”