Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
It wasn’t fear of losing Forrest in my life. Our bond, much like our anchor tattoos, is grounded the way only two kids who grew up with neglectful parents could be. I knew he would be upset, but I also knew he would eventually come around. My fear was that Roman would lose interest. I feared that the newness of what we were together would wear off.
I was wrong on both counts.
Every damn day that man sends me a good-morning and good-night text. I get messages all throughout the day telling me about his day, or just telling me he missed me. Even when I left him on read, without fail, his messages never stopped coming.
He’s coming today. They all are.
The guys of Everlasting Ink, my brother and his four best friends, have all been my biggest cheerleaders throughout life. Roman was always different for me. He became more, and today I see him face-to-face for the first time since I returned to school at the end of the Christmas break.
Four months should be enough time for a broken heart to heal, right?
My heart shouldn’t race at the thought of seeing him. I shouldn’t be hoping for a congratulations hug, just to hold him.
I tried. I truly tried to get over him. I even insisted we no longer talk every day on the phone, but he still called. Religiously, every other evening, my phone would ring, and like the lovesick fool I am for him, I answered. Sometimes I’d rush the conversation, and others I would pretend he was still mine.
That’s really what it comes down to. I want him to be mine.
Four months isn’t long enough for my heart to forget what it feels like to be his girl, and I’m almost certain, a lifetime won’t be either.
“Em! We need to go or we’re going to be late,” Monroe calls out.
I stand, grabbing my purse and my phone, and make my way toward the living room. “It’s hard to believe our lives are in these boxes.”
“Right? It’s going to be good to be home, though. We need to get started on looking for a place in Ashby. You know, moving back in with my parents is not my idea of a good time.” She laughs.
“Your parents are awesome. It’s not like they hover over you.”
“I know, and I feel selfish even saying this, but once you’re on your own, and you have to go back, it’s just… different.”
“You have nothing to feel selfish about. You’re lucky to have them, and I know I’m lucky to have Forrest. I don’t mind living with him, but the guys are always there, and some space is definitely going to be needed.”
“Are you sure space is what you need?”
“You think it’s not?”
“I think we’ve talked about this. When we move home, keep an open mind.”
There’s something she’s not saying, but we don’t have time to get into it right now. We’re going to be late.
“Emerson!” Forrest shouts.
I smile as I make my way through the crowd to my brother. As I get closer, I start to move faster until I’m at a dead run. He opens his arms and braces his legs apart to catch me, just as I knew he would.
“I’m so fucking proud of you, kid,” he whispers.
“Love you, Forty.”
“I love you too.” He holds me for a little longer before placing me on my feet.
“Come on over and share some of that love.” Lachlan opens his arms, and I laugh, giving him an enormous hug as well.
“Come on now, don’t hog her.” Maddox tugs on my arm, tearing me from Lachlan. I pull away from Maddox, only to be lifted in the air by Legend. He spins me around, making us all laugh. He puts me back on my feet, hugging me quickly, and with his hand on the small of my back, hands me off to Roman.
Taking a deep breath, I lift my eyes to find his locked on me. Neither one of us says a word. However, when he opens his arms for me, I fall into his embrace. He turns us to hide the intimacy of the moment.
“I fucking missed you, baby girl,” he says huskily. His hands have a slight tremble. As I pull away, I realize my legs are in a similar state.
I missed him too. However, I can’t say that. Not here. So I take a step back, only to watch Monroe take her turn with all the guys, getting her hug of congratulations from each of them as well.
“Where are your parents?” I ask her.
“Oh, they just left to head to the restaurant. We’re all having lunch together,” she tells me.
“All of us?” I ask, looking at each of the guys. My gaze lasting a little longer on Roman than the others.
“Monroe’s mom called yesterday, and I agreed,” Forrest explains. “We’re all here, so we might as well.”