Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 47191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
“Well, shit, this must be what Beau called about the other day. He said it wasn’t anything pressing though. It seems circumstances have changed. Where are you?”
“I’m in Beau’s truck in the parking lot of Salsa’s. He was adamant I don’t stick around. Should I go back in there?” I ask, knowing it’s wishful thinking.
“Nope. Are you okay to drive to Beau’s? If so, do that and call me when you get there. I’m grabbing my stuff and heading his way now. Whatever you do, Lily, don’t go back in there. Beau knows how to remain calm and be quick on his feet, but that might change if you go back and this whacko says something, then it could get worse, and I may not be able to smooth this shit over.”
“Yeah, I can drive his monstrosity of a beast,” I joke, causing him to laugh with me. “I’m going to get off the phone. I’ll text you when I make it to Beau’s in case you’re in the middle of something. Please try to keep me posted. Darn man wouldn’t even keep his phone with him.”
“Alright, I will. And Lily, not to freak you out, but it’s better if he has less on him in case they take him to jail.” Good golly, if Chad does this, I’m going to comb through every cell phone record, every text, and bring up everything I possibly can to make a restraining order stick.
“Great, I’ll try not to worry too much. Thank you, Graham.”
“No problem. He’ll be home by the morning, if not sooner. Don’t forget to text me.” We hang up. I put the key in the ignition and battle with myself the entire time as I back out of the parking lot. I guess I’m lucky they didn’t make me stay and question me as well, but that doesn’t make leaving the man I love any easier, especially because I didn’t even get to say those three words before he shut me up. The entire drive to Beau’s place, I contemplate if I should call my parents or Vince and come clean with everything. If it weren’t for this whole stupid idea, Beau wouldn’t be what I’m assuming is wearing those ugly silver bracelets, and I wouldn’t be driving with tears rolling down my cheeks.
I make it to Beau’s ranch in record time, probably speeding more than I should have, but the need to get out of these clothes, into a shirt of his, and to pace the floors is calling to me more than anything. As soon as the truck is parked and I’m ready to get out, I take a deep breath, exhaling everything bad, and grab my purse, Beau’s phone to text Graham once I’m inside, and practically slide out of his truck. It’s ridiculous how big it is, but I also know he needs it for the ranch. Still, it isn’t easy climbing in and out of it.
My mind wanders as I let myself in, kicking my shoes off in the mudroom area, hanging up my jacket. The thought of coming home to Beau’s house, maybe with a dog to greet us at the door after work, is something that makes me smile, until that damn sinking feeling in my stomach returns.
“Stupid Chad, stupid me, stupid so many damn things,” I huff out as I text Graham. The message says delivered but not read. I bet he’s the type not to have read receipts on. Without a response, I decide to give my attitude to the floors and all but stomp towards Beau’s bedroom, stripping off my clothes along the way, silently seething that I’ll be burning these clothes and any other reminder of tonight and how Beau has to deal with the fallout.
I turn the shower water on, making sure both phones are right outside the stall, not sure which phone Beau will call or if Graham needs something like money to bail Beau out. I’m huffing and puffing as I get in, soak my body with the water, and grab the bodywash that I left here earlier this week along with shampoo and conditioner, a toothbrush, and a change of clothes. Beau was firm with me leaving it. Sadly, it was the only day this week, a Monday evening, no less, when our schedules aligned and I was able to spend the night. I wash my body, my hair. Usually, I’d luxuriate in the hot water raining down on me. Tonight just isn’t one of those nights. I turn the water off, throw my hair up in a towel turban style, and wrap the other towel around my body until I’m dry enough to snatch the robe that’s hanging on the back of the door. Apparently, a gift from his mom, one of those years she had no idea what to get him, and he never used. It’s coming in handy now as I wrap it around my body, look at the phones one more time before putting them in the pockets of my borrowed robe, and tie the knot tighter.