Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 116362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
But I’m stubborn, way more stubborn than he is, and when he finally stops messaging me, then I feel the pinch. The real fear. It never was about our secret coming out and that people might judge us. Losing him has always been my number one worry.
I know he cares for me. I know, especially after talking to Sarah, who told me just how wonderful he was at the party, the things he was saying about me, that he would never intentionally do anything to hurt me. And I know that the manwhore is gone and what’s left is one hell of a sexy man who makes me laugh, makes me come, and worships the ground I walk on.
But I worry it’s too late.
Because it was so easy for me to close myself off again. And after everything that has happened with Rachel, I’m not sure he’d be willing to open up and give me another chance.
I just don’t know anything anymore.
So I go for a run.
It’s Sunday morning and Ana is making turnip pancakes once more, so I head out of the house and decide to run into the city and dodge tourists. She’s been very supportive of my new career. After I was outed, it was only a matter of time before I had to tell both her and Rio. They were shocked, no doubt, and Rio made me promise to write Slammed by the Single Dad one day and that she’d give me detailed descriptions of their escapades. I told her I’d think about it.
Ana, of course, wants some sort of credit in my books for being the world’s best roommate. I told her I’d think about that too.
Then there are my parents, who haven’t called me since that day. I’m fine with it. They’re blood and family, so I know that eventually we’ll reconnect. But I’m in no hurry. I can get by without their money, at least until I graduate and my loan runs out, thanks to the Amazon payments, and I think it’s about time that I put some distance between them and myself. I can’t grow, can’t become the person I am with them holding something over me. Besides, after talking to Dahlia the other day, I know that they’ll come around and be more meddlesome and involved than ever, so I should enjoy this break while I can.
For once the run isn’t burning up my thighs and knees, and the city is still a bit sleepy in the morning sun. I cut down across the Empress Hotel and start jogging along Wharf Street when I hear someone yell my name.
“Amanda!”
The voice belongs to a kid.
I turn around and see a tall, stately looking brunette, very Kate Beckinsale circa her romantic comedy days and Kevin, Blake’s stepbrother. While she’s dressed in a white pant suit like she’s about to board a cruise ship, he’s dressed head to toe in plastic armor and carrying a flag with a yellow crest on it. He waves the flag at me.
“Hi,” I say, feeling awkward as they come toward me.
Kevin looks up at his mom. “Mom, this is Amanda, Blake’s girlfriend.”
I force a smile on my face, not sure if I should correct Kevin or not.
“Hi,” I say, giving her a wave. “Sorry, I’d shake your hand but it’s sweaty.”
She smiles. “I’m Angelica, Blake’s stepmother.”
“Nice shirt,” Kevin says to me with a big smile on his face.
His mother peers at my chest. “Is that Benedict Cumberbatch?” she asks incredulously.
“Mom loves him,” Kevin says, shoving his glasses up on his nose. “Our whole house is a shrine to him.”
“Oh, it is not,” she says, putting her hand on his shoulder and giving me a quick smile.
“Yes it is. Remember when Blake broke your Sherlock shot glass set and you got all mad and made him buy you a new one?”
Oh my god. I see where Kevin’s nerd genes come from. I can also finally see why Blake hates Benedict Cumberbatch so much.
She keeps smiling, nervous now as she tucks her hair behind her ears. “They were a gift, sweetie, that’s the only reason why I was mad.”
“And then you wouldn’t let him touch that mug that says ‘seductively deductive.’”
“That’s enough, Kevin.”
He just keeps smiling, turning his attention to me. “Hey, guess what day it is?”
I frown. “Sunday.”
“No, why I’m dressed like this.” He pats his armor.
“Still figured it was just a Sunday.”
Angelica looks at me. “I’m taking him to Beacon Hill Park to do his…what is it again? Comic con?”
“LAIRE,” Kevin says. He frowns dramatically at me. “Did you forget, Amanda?”
Oh shit. The fucking LARPing shit.
“Blake is doing it with you, right?” I ask him.
“Yeah, he’s meeting me there in a few hours,” he says. “But you also promised.”
I wince, giving Angelica a look. “Well, the thing is…”
They both stare at me. Obviously Blake hasn’t told them anything.