Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97339 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97339 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
I will never, and I mean never, find another man who can capture my heart the way he has.
Despite putting on a tough exterior, I know I don’t have what it takes to move on from this. My heart is his, every last bit of it belongs to Carter. He took it from me two years ago, claimed it as his own, and refused to give it back, even now. Hell, I don’t want it back. I just want him.
Pushing my way through a fourth door, I finally stumble across my twin brother sprawled out across the living room floor. The sound of the door slamming against the wall startles him awake, and he flies up into a sitting position, his eyes wide. “What the fuck?” he grunts in a panic before taking me in. His face scrunches at my attire, but the moment his gaze lifts to my face and sees the heartache in my eyes, he breaks, and I run to him. “What’s wr—” he starts to ask, but his words cut off as I slam into his chest, my arms flying around his neck and clinging to him like he’s my only lifeline.
The sobs come hard and fast as my brother holds me, his hand awkwardly patting my back. I curl into him, my face firmly against his chest as my tears quickly stain his shirt. His hand comes up to my head and he gently runs his fingers through my hair. “Shhhhh,” he soothes as he rocks me the same way Mom would when we were kids.
We sit for ages as he allows my tears to run their course.
“Are you ready to talk about it?” Bobby questions when the heavy sobs slow down.
“No,” I murmur, wiping the back of my hand across my face, drying up the last of my tears. “I just want to get out of here.”
“Okay,” he says without question, reaching across the living room floor and grabbing his phone, wallet, and keys. “Do I need to beat the shit out of him first?”
“No,” I sigh, knowing damn well Carter would sit there and take every last punch until there’s nothing left of him.
Getting to my feet, I find the closest bathroom and get a good look at myself. I’m a fucking mess.
I do my best to clean myself up, running a hand through my hair and splashing water over my face, but let’s be real, nothing is going to take away the puffy, bloodshot eyes and splotchy cheeks. I’m just going to have to deal with the fact that I’ll be looking like shit for the foreseeable future. Thank fuck for makeup.
Stepping out of the bathroom, I find Bobby waiting in the hallway, holding up a pair of sweatpants, and I silently take them from him before sliding them up my bare legs. I have to roll them over a few times to keep them up before yanking hard on the drawstrings and tying them off.
“Are you ready to go?” Bobby asks, his gaze shifting around the foyer as if preparing for some kind of threat. Though in reality, I know he’s searching for Carter, more than ready to destroy him for hurting his twin sister.
“I should say bye to Cassie first,” I tell him. “They’re leaving on their honeymoon this afternoon, so I probably won’t get a chance to see her before she goes.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” he murmurs before following me through the house, knowing damn well he’d want to take a moment to chat with Jax.
I find myself walking around like a scared little rabbit, constantly searching, praying Carter doesn’t come around the next corner. Hell, just one look in his eyes would have me on my knees, begging him to take me back, and I’m almost certain that would kill me.
We make it to Cassie and Jax’s door, free of any run-ins, and I gently knock before pushing my way in. The curtains are still drawn and they’re both in an alcohol-induced, deep sleep, but I’m not surprised. Neither of them hold their liquor well, not to mention how exhausting yesterday was for them.
Pleased they have a sheet covering what I assume are two very naked bodies, I make my way across the room and bend down beside Cass before gently shaking her shoulder. “Cass,” I whisper into the darkened room as Bobby remains by the door, not wanting to wake Jax just to say goodbye when they’ll probably talk later.
Cassie moans as she rolls over to face me, peering up at me through squinted, sleepy eyes. “Ughhhh, whadayawant?” she mumbles.
“Nothing,” I say with a forced smile. “I just need to get going and wanted to say goodbye in case I don’t see you before you leave.”
“Mmkay,” she sighs as she closes her eyes, unknowingly letting me off the hook so that I don’t have to explain the reason for my current state. After all, I want her to enjoy her honeymoon, and if she knew that Carter had just broken up with me, she’d never get on that plane, and I sure as hell don’t want her worrying about me. She’ll have plenty of time to do that when she gets back. “I’ll text you later.”