Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 122219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Did he just somehow become less attractive to me?
I swear, earlier that day, I found him much more handsome.
Now, the sound of his voice sounded like nails on a chalkboard.
Oh my gosh, I was engaged to an ugly man!
“Why would we make up the rules as we go? There are already rules to the game,” I remarked. “The whole point of charades is not to speak. That’s the literal definition of charades.”
“Charades can also mean an absurd pretense intended to create a pleasant appearance,” Drew urged with laughter. I was glad she was still having a bang-up time.
“Yeah, well, that’s not what this game is. So you don’t get a point.” I crossed my arms as the whole energy of the room shifted. Instantly, I felt like a jerk because I was the one who caused it. Me and some newly unlocked insecurities that I didn’t know how to deal with. I didn’t even know I could get insecure! Over a man?! How deeply disappointed I was in myself. What was happening to me?
“It’s not that serious, darling,” Wesley said, leaning over to me. The way he said darling came off as condescending to me. Or maybe I was simply overthinking every syllable that fell from his ugly tongue. He kissed my cheek lightly. “I think we just need some more champagne.”
I glanced over at the kitchen counter, where Patrick stood, holding the empty bottles. “Sadly, we are all out of champagne,” he mentioned.
I hopped up from the couch. “I’ll run down to the corner store and get some more. I’ll be back.”
“Oh, you don’t have to—” Lance started.
I shook my head. “No, it’s fine. You all continue the game of talking charades. I’ll be back before you know it.” I didn’t look back toward Wesley because I was almost certain his eyes would be packed with confusion by my oddities. But also, screw him.
Because why was his best friend someone that he used to date? Not only did they date, but they reenacted scenes from Titanic. That was love!
I grabbed my purse and jacket before heading out the door. As the chilled February breeze smacked my cheeks, my overheated body relaxed slightly. Maybe that was all I needed—some fresh air to calm down. I couldn’t imagine what my blood pressure numbers would’ve been from a simple game of charades.
Walking down the semi-snow-covered sidewalk to Jackie’s Beer & Spirits store, I muttered how stupid I was for getting so upset over a game. Did I overreact? Maybe, but Wesley was wrong for never mentioning that his best friend was a woman. A woman he once-upon-a-time dated, nonetheless. I felt as if I had every right to be upset. Yet what bothered me the most was how dramatic I looked in front of his friends. It was a terrible first impression, and now they probably thought I was some kind of psychopath.
As I walked into Jackie’s, I felt a breath of relief as I heard one of my favorite sounds—a sports anchor speaking on the television screen. I grabbed a few bottles of champagne and headed to the front of the store, where Jackie sat behind her counter watching the Super Bowl game.
“Hey, Avery. Kind of surprised you pulled yourself away from this game. Did you see the halftime show? Miley Cyrus came out as a surprise guest!” Jackie said, taking the bottles of champagne from me and ringing them up.
I grumbled to myself and shook my head. “I missed it.”
“You? Miss Sports Lady herself missed it?”
“Yeah, not watching the game tonight,” I muttered, staring at the television. My team was up by three points in the fourth quarter, and I wanted to shit a few bricks trying to figure out how they got to that point. I paid for the champagne, took the three bottles by their necks, and kept my eyes on the screen. The crowd went wild as the opposing team threw the ball, which Jameson intercepted.
“Oh shit!” I shouted, tossing my hands up in victory. I couldn’t believe I made it down to the liquor store to witness one of the greatest interceptions ever. Jameson not only caught the ball but ran down the field as if he were running from a masked murderer, sprinting as if his life depended on it. “Go, go, go!” Jackie and I shouted together. My heart pounded wildly as Jameson crossed into the end zone, scoring another touchdown.
“Oh my gosh!” I said, jumping up and down in glee.
“That was wild!” Jackie said, shaking her head in disbelief.
“You’re right. That was intense,” a deep, velvety voice said from behind me, spooking me back into my body. I turned around and bumped straight into a big, firm body, causing me to lose grip on the bottles in my hands. They began to fall, but the man was quick with his response time to catch all three bottles within his arms.