Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 88936 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88936 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
“If you are full of shit, then you are really good at the delivery,” I told him.
The corner of his mouth lifted into a crooked grin. “Thanks. I think. But I’m not full of shit. Just so we are clear.”
Whatever. My head was starting to hurt. I had to accept he’d been there at the right time and gotten me out of a bad situation even if it was temporarily.
“I’m not going to go to the next class. My head is pounding, my heart is still racing, and I need to think. Thanks for coming and for what you did back there. I can’t imagine I am worth the effort you are putting into trying to get me to go out with you. I must warn you that I’ll probably be a disappointment. Whatever you think about me is a lot less interesting than the reality. But you did save me, and I owe you one. So, text me later—tomorrow, whenever—and I’ll give you that date so you can see that chasing me isn’t worth your time.”
His smile deepened, and it was hard not to simply gaze at the man. He was gorgeous. Over six feet tall, muscular, broad shoulders, a square jawline that made his aristocratic features seem more masculine. Otherwise, he’d be entirely too pretty.
“Deal. I’ll walk with you to your Vespa,” he replied.
Since he was parked near me, there was no reason to argue with him about it. We were going in the same direction.
“Sure you don’t want that coffee milkshake thing you like to drink?”
I glanced up at him. “How do you know about that?”
He winked. “Stalker, remember?”
A laugh bubbled out of me, and the tension slowly eased. Maybe this wasn’t the end of my college career. He sure seemed to believe his dad would help me out with this. I was struggling with it, but then, with a father like the one I had, I didn’t have much faith in parental figures.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I stopped walking to pull it out. I’d put it on silent for class, but I had to keep it on me in case something happened with Grams. A number I didn’t recognize lit up the screen. That was never good.
“Hello?” I said into the phone, trying not to jump to the worst-case scenario.
Dad was home with Grams until I got back today. It was fine. She was okay.
“Is the Royal Shelton?” a man asked.
I tensed up, gripping the phone tightly. My eyes lifted to meet Amory’s.
“Yes,” I replied.
“This is Sergeant Phillips, down at the police station. One of my officers brought in your father, Vinson Shelton, about twenty minutes ago for driving with a suspended license. He asked that we call you. Your grandmother is home alone, and he is saying she has dementia. He is being, uh, rather difficult, or he’d have called you himself. There is a fine for him to be released if you want to come here and pay that.”
I was already walking toward the parking lot again, almost at a run. How long had Grams been home alone? When had he left her? Why had he been driving? I should have taken the car, not my Vespa. This was what I got for saving money on gas. Damn him.
“How much is it?” I asked, realizing I hadn’t said anything.
“It’s one thousand for this offense. The next time, it will be higher with jail time included.”
Shit! We didn’t have that kind of money to blow on this right now. Bills were coming due. I had enough to cover them all, but not that much left over.
“Okay, he’ll have to stay there for the time being. I need to get to my Grams. I’ll figure something out,” I told him as my Vespa came into view.
“Yes, ma’am,” the officer replied.
I ended the call, shoving my phone into my pocket, then glanced over to see Amory was beside me. He still had my books.
“I have to go. I need those,” I told him, reaching for them.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, concern etching his face.
I might as well tell him. He was the one coming here, doing all he could to get me to go on a date. If he saw what a shit show my life was, he should back down quick enough.
He didn’t hand me my books.
“My dad has a suspended license and was pulled over, then arrested. He was supposed to be with my Grams, who is home alone and has been alone for God knows how long. I need to get to her, then figure out how I’m going to come up with a grand to get him out, although I’d like to just leave him in there. I would if it wasn’t because Grams needs someone with her when I’m not home.” I reached out for my books. “Please, I need to go. I have to hurry.”