Total pages in book: 176
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
“I just don’t want you getting all swept up in her. Trust me, it isn’t fun having feelings for someone you can’t be with.”
I glanced at him, curious. “Are you talking about Milly?”
Derek’s expression clouded before he nodded. “I asked her to go out with me, and she said no.”
“Really?” I frowned. “But she seemed so into you tonight.”
“She is into me, I think, but she won’t be my girlfriend. She said she won’t be anyone’s girlfriend because she has to get into Trinity next year, and she can’t allow anything to distract her from that. She wants to be a doctor, so she needs a crazy high amount of points to get into the course, plus a bunch of extracurricular stuff. So, dating anyone is off the cards for her.” He paused and let out a groan. “She is, however, prepared to be my friend. Fuck, I think that might be worse.”
“That’s shite, man. I’m sorry.”
He waved me away. “Don’t worry about it. And I’m happy for you and Charli, really. Just don’t go falling in love with her or anything. She’ll be going home in August.”
“I won’t fall in love with her.” Even as I said it, there was a faint twist in my stomach because I was a little bit besotted already. “Besides, I have my own plans for the end of summer.”
“Oh yeah? Dad mentioned something about you possibly going full-time at the hotel,” Derek replied.
“That’s a possibility, but only if I don’t get accepted into the French Foreign Legion.”
At this, he sat up straight. “The French Foreign what?”
“It’s an elite corps of the French army that allows foreign citizens to join,” I began when Derek cut me off.
“I know what it is, dickhead, but why is this the first I’m hearing of you joining? I thought we were going to work for my dad. I got accepted into that business course so I can help run the hotels when I’m older, and I wanted you with me. We’d both be working there together.”
“Well, that still might happen. I need to get into much better shape for them to accept me into the legion, which isn’t likely by the end of summer. I was wondering if I could start exercising with you. I know you run most days and use the gym at the hotel, so I thought—”
“You do realise how fucking dangerous it will be, right? You’ll have to fight in actual wars. You could die, Rhys.”
“I could die anytime.”
“Right, but this will up your chances significantly. Why are you doing it? I don’t understand.”
I swallowed thickly, a pain in my chest because I wasn’t too keen on explaining my reasons. But Derek just kept looking at me like I’d told him I had a terminal illness, and he was my best friend. I felt I owed him an explanation. “I want to be strong,” I told him, my voice even. “I want to be the kind of man who can take care of the people he loves. The kind of man violent bastards won’t mess with. And I’ll never become that man if I stay here.”
There was a flicker of pity in his eyes like he understood things about me I hadn’t ever told him, things about my dad. Derek blew out a breath, his gaze meeting mine. “What about the Irish army? Or the navy, even? There’s also the Army Rangers. They’re supposed to be some hard motherfuckers.”
“I know about the Rangers. I’ve looked into them, but I kind of want to be away from Ireland for a while. I need to get away.”
“Get away from your old man, you mean?” Derek said perceptively.
I exhaled, feeling weighed down just from the mention of my dad. “He and Mam are getting a divorce. Once that’s final and I have Mam squared away safely, I’m going. That might take longer than a couple months, but I can delay my plans until everything’s settled.”
“Bloody hell, I can tell by that determined face you mean it.”
“So, can I train with you?”
Derek looked me up and down. “Sure, but you’re really not that out of shape, Rhys. You could lose a stone or two, but you might shift that having sex with my cousin all summer, which is clearly what you’re both intending.”
I stared at him. “We’re not—”
“Oh, don’t even bother. Charli is into you, big time. It’s obvious to everyone. Besides, Aidan told us he found the two of you almost doing it during hide and seek.”
“That lying prick. We weren’t doing it.”
Derek smirked. “I said almost, didn’t I?”
I picked up a pillow and launched it at his head. Derek chuckled as he ducked out of the way. “If you’re serious about running with me, set your alarm for six tomorrow morning.”
I didn’t complain because I knew it was necessary. Besides, I was used to early starts working at the hotel. I’d have just enough time to run with Derek in the morning then grab a quick shower before I had to clock in for my shift.