Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 98134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
I lose all interest in the movie as I watch Jesse fumble with the scissors. He grips my calf with his free hand, then lifts the fabric of the skate to make as much room between the scissors and my skin as possible.
I wince a little. Just having him move the skate around hurts, but I try to keep my noises to myself. It’s kind of nice being messed with by him.
Five minutes have passed and he’s managed to make a little slit in the softest part of the skate near the top. There’s a plastic buckle he can’t seem to get through. Nolan has taken an interest in the project now, and he’s kneeling on the other side of me, providing commentary and feedback.
Ten minutes later and Maddox has joined, too. They have a small serrated knife and they’re all arguing over the best way to get the plastic straps off. Liam is saying they should just drive me to the doctors, but I think the rest of the guys are too invested in solving the problem to give up now.
After another fifteen minutes, Jake and Carter have joined, too. Jake has one of those long barreled lighters and he’s heating the plastic strap so it’s easier to cut. Nolan has driven into town to try to find a better tool, and Jesse is the man in control while everybody else leans over the skate, trying to guide his efforts.
It’s hilarious, sweet, and endearing.
I can’t say I’ve ever felt more taken care of in my life, and I find myself wishing I could bottle up this moment and hold onto it forever.
Jesse looks up after a while, notices the look on my face, and does a double take. “What?” he asks.
“Nothing,” I say, smiling and covering my yawn.
He smiles, and that smile pretty much threatens to undo me. It’s a lot like the smile we shared in the truck before he drove me here. It’s a conspiratorial smile. A smile that says we’re in on the secret together, but it’s our secret. Nobody else’s.
And wow. I apparently like being Jesse’s secret partner way, way more than I should.
I cover another yawn, watching them work through eyes that are getting heavy.
25
JESSE
For the second time in one day, I find myself carrying Andi. I could tell Jake was wondering the obvious as I scooped her up: “Why are you the one taking charge of all this shit?” Honestly, I’m guessing he heavily suspects something approximating the truth, by now. I wouldn’t be surprised if he confronts me soon. Problems for later.
By the time we got her ice skate off, she was fast asleep. Apparently, she’s a heavy ass sleeper, too. Carter fell, spilled the remains of his popcorn, swore loudly, and nearly knocked over the coffee table. She only snorted a little in her sleep and stirred.
I carry her outside, through the snowy path of cobble stones I can just barely make out, and shoulder the door to the guest cabin open.
Andi isn’t exactly the tidiest houseguest. There is a small pile of shopping bags with clothes in them, tags still attached. There’s a CVS bag full of toiletries, most of which are scattered around the sink. The bed is unmade and there’s a pair of panties dangling from the headboard.
Nice, I think. For some reason, I picture Andi living a little more of a neat and tidy life. But then again, seeing that she’s a bit of a slob doesn’t surprise me, either.
I smile as I carefully set her down on the bed. I take a look at her ankle. Seeing the way it is dark blue on one side makes my heart twinge and my stomach clench. I feel like such an asshole for not just approaching like a normal person when she was out there. If I had, I probably wouldn’t have scared her so suddenly to make her fall and get hurt.
I’m also pissed for a completely selfish reason. I’ve barely managed to make it through today with my sanity. Waiting to get my hands on Andi again has been pure, sweet torture. But I knew the payoff would come once the sun set. I knew she’d be mine. All night, if I wanted.
Then again, I’m not sure how she’ll feel toward me after a day of trying to ignore her. Sure, the ignoring Andi thing kind of went up in smoke when she hurt her ankle, but I doubt that kind of attention counts. Anybody would’ve taken care of her if they were in my position tonight.
My grand plans of letting myself into her guest house tonight to claim her are apparently going to stay in the realm of fantasy for now. She’s out cold, and my hard-on is going to be about as useful as a nail gun on a rubber life raft.