Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138844 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138844 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
We’d explored a level of TPE I’d never experienced before. Neither had he. We’d reached heights together that’d introduced us to mental and emotional orgasms. With him, I’d found out what Top space was all about.
Fuck my life. He had to be so lost. And it was my fault.
I returned to the den, where Noa was cuddled up on KC’s lap in his lounger. They were watching some comedy special on Netflix and seemingly enjoying it.
I slumped down on the couch with a new cup of decaf coffee and checked my phone.
Nine new messages, but none of them was from Cam.
The whole goddamn community knew now.
I opened my group chat with the other Tops who were planning the next Game, and I scowled.
Reese: Copy that. Penelope told me earlier. Lucian’s been removed from the list. Rest up, buddy.
Nathan: Damn. Just heard from Greer’s sub. I hope you’ll recover fast, Lucian. Let me know if you need to talk.
Kingsley: Tate asked if he could get a care package to Lucian. Is anyone heading over there anytime soon?
Lucas: I called KC a while ago, and Kit and I will visit after work tomorrow with Gael and Santiago. Are you available for lunch tomorrow, Kingsley?
Kingsley: Edy’s at noon?
Colt: Fuck. Now I want Edy’s. Luke, remember that I love their rotisserie chicken with fries. I’d head over there myself if Ty weren’t a dictator at work. I might file a restraining order.
Ty: Get back to work, you lazy fuck.
Colt: I forgot you were here. Fuck off, I’m getting Edy’s.
Reese: This is legit the only reason I haven’t turned off notifications on this chat. Never change, Colt.
I tossed the phone back onto the table and folded my arms over my chest.
So now I’d been removed as a volunteer for the event too.
And everyone was getting Edy’s chicken without me.
Noa lifted his head from KC’s shoulder. “Are you mad, Uncle Fragile?”
I scowled again.
He just laughed.
“It’s annoying to have so many people concerned about you, isn’t it?” KC drawled. He didn’t look away from the TV. “The only victims here are Noa and me. We’ve had to listen to your phone vibrate the table to pieces while you were moping in the kitchen.”
My glare would be much more impressive if he fucking faced me.
Bastard.
For the record, I hadn’t moped in the kitchen. I’d…simply tried to get the new coffee machine to work.
Cam had given it to KC and me for Christmas, among a few other thoughtful gifts that made our lives taste much better. But we’d been spoiled to the point where Cam was the one managing those devices for us. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d made my own coffee.
I blew out a breath and rubbed at my chest. Every now and then, twinges of discomfort traveled through me like the most annoying reminders that I had to rest.
I’d practiced a speech in my head to justify driving out to Winchester tonight, and every damn time I delivered it, KC shot me down. So did Noa. It wasn’t even worth trying. As much as it hurt to admit, I didn’t have rhyme and reason on my side. If the doctors told me to rest and I didn’t…I’d hurt Cam and the other two yahoos more than I already had.
Plus, Greer wouldn’t let me see my boy anyway. Greer and I could be like night and day, but we were two peas in a pod when it came to TPE, so I knew exactly what he’d say if I tried to bargain with him.
Motherfucker.
I grabbed my phone once more.
KC had spoken to Lucas, Penelope, and River today. Noa had told…I didn’t even know how many. Maybe Gael had shared the news with one or two as well. In short, everyone knew, and my phone had blown up with get-well wishes. A handful of threats too.
Penelope didn’t mince words.
Fuck it. Greer couldn’t blame me for at least calling.
I got up with a grunt that made me feel older than I was, and I felt KC and Noa watching me as I left the den.
“Don’t do anything stupid, baby,” KC said.
“Yeah, don’t do anything stupid, baby!” Noa hollered.
I snorted softly under my breath and returned to the kitchen. It was where I felt closest to Cam. This was where he cooked, where he danced, where he essentially ran the household.
My gaze landed on the natural patterns in the marble across the floor, and I remembered the day Cam had told me he’d thought one of the natural “stains” was food, so he’d tried to clean it up. To no avail.
I’d gotten the impression he wasn’t the biggest fan of the cupboards either. He’d never say that out loud, but I could read my boy well. I’d just been high on my own delusions about how much I could manage. Christ. My life was a mess. I opened one of the cupboards to grab a glass, and I saw it now. How the dark wood looked smudgy in the spotlights. That’d been his only comment—they were a menace to keep clean.