Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN
Sterling
It’s Saturday afternoon, and I’m on my way to Alyssa’s house. She had plans with her friend Kristy last night, a girls’ night, so I didn’t get to see her. I stayed up until I knew she was home safe. When she called, she said she had something she wanted to talk to me about. She sounded serious, and I slept like shit worried about her.
I’m pulling into her driveway when my cell phone rings. Maverick's name flashes across the dash. I don’t answer; instead, I let it go to voice mail. I need to see Alyssa and set eyes on her. Grabbing my phone, I climb out of the truck and make my way to the front door. Alyssa pushes it open and smiles. She seems hesitant, but when she wraps her arms around me and I return her hug, her body relaxes into mine.
“You good?” I ask her, not letting her go just yet.
Tilting her head back, she keeps her arms locked around my waist. “I’m good. How are you? Is something wrong?”
“No. You said you needed to talk to me about something, and I didn’t sleep well. I was worried about you.”
“I’m sorry.” Regret crosses her features. “I didn’t mean to worry you. I just had something I wanted to run by you.” She smiles, and every muscle in my body relaxes seeing that smile.
My phone rings again, and she steps back, letting me check it. “It’s Maverick. He’s called me once already when I pulled in, and I didn’t answer because I needed to see you. I better make sure everything is okay.”
Keeping one arm around her, because I’m not ready to let her go, I tap the Answer button and raise the phone to my ear. “Hey, man.”
“Where are you?”
My body stiffens at his tone of voice. Alyssa senses it and begins to run her hands up and down my back. Her touch instantly calms me so that I can reply to my little brother. “At Alyssa’s. What’s going on?”
“Ryder’s not doing so hot.”
“Explain that, Mav. What do you mean he’s not doing so hot?”
“Jordyn’s gone.”
“Maverick,” I snap. “Details, brother. What the fuck is going on?” Worry for my little brother and his girl wash over me.
“Sorry.” He takes a deep breath. “Ryder went to see Jordyn, and her roommate, Gianna, told him that she was gone. Her flight left early this morning. She’s headed to Paris.”
“He knew she was going to Paris for the internship.”
“He knew she was going. Not when she was going.”
“Oh, shit,” I breathe, pulling Alyssa a little tighter.
“Exactly. He’s breaking down. He called me on his way home. Told me that if I wanted to get trashed tonight, to head to his place.”
“Where are you now?”
“Merrick just got home from work. As soon as he’s out of the shower, we’re heading over.”
“Have you called the others?”
“Archer is on his way there too.”
“I’ll call the others,” I tell him. I look down at Alyssa with apology in my eyes. “I’ll be there.”
“Thanks, man. See you soon.”
“See ya.” I end the call, slide my phone back into my pocket, and hug Alyssa tightly with both arms. “I’m sorry,” I tell her. Regret washes over me. “I know there’s something that you wanted to talk about or run by me. Want to tell me now, and I can run to check on Ryder and then come back, and we can talk it out?” I offer.
“What’s going on?” she asks.
I quickly explain my conversation with Maverick. “I have to go check on him.”
“Of course you do. He needs his brothers.”
“You need me too.”
Her smile is soft. “I promise what I have to talk about can wait. Ryder needs you. He really cared about her. And for what it’s worth, I think she really cared about him too.”
I nod. “I’ll come back as soon as I can.”
“Sterling, don’t worry about me. I’m sure you’ll all be there. I think I’ll call Palmer and see if she needs a nap or help with the baby or anything. Kristy is with her parents tonight.”
“I— Thank you, Tink. You’re the best.” I hug her one more time, kiss her temple, and release her. “I’ll call as soon as I can.” I just about told her that I loved her.
Fuck this. I’m not doing this anymore. I’m telling her.
I’m going to plan a night for us. I’m going to make it special, as it should be the first time you tell a woman that she’s the love of your life. I’m going to tell her, and I’m going to do whatever I have to do to convince her that us together makes sense.
“You don’t have to spend every minute of your life with me, Sterling. Go be with your brothers. I’ll be fine.”
“I know I don’t have to. I want to.” I want every day of forever with her.