Series: The Laws of Opposite Attract Series by Vi Keeland
Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
“Here you go, buddy. Enjoy.”
I took a seat on the grass and looked around for a long time. The cemetery was pretty empty this afternoon, but people wouldn’t have stopped me from talking to my friend anyway.
“I’m not sure if you met him yet, but I’d appreciate it if you could keep a lookout for my little friend Landon.” I pulled a few pieces of grass from the ground and shook my head as I threw them back at the Earth. “Fucking cancer. It’s still kicking people’s asses here. He was just a damn kid.” I didn’t like my visits with Ryan to be completely depressing, so I decided to tell him about my life. A lot had happened since I’d been here.
“So…I have some news. Are you sitting down? You might not believe me, but I met someone. Her name is Alex, and she’s freaking incredible.” I paused and smiled, picturing her beautiful face. “I know, I never thought I’d see the day either. But you’d like her. She’s warm and caring, smart and funny—and of course, smokin’ hot. I’m in love, man.” I took a deep breath. “I’m pretty sure she feels the same way about me, though she won’t admit it. There’s one hell of a crazy story behind why. Actually, before I tell you—let me clarify that this is Brayden speaking and not Holden. Because this shit is gonna sound like something Holden would’ve gotten his ass into—before the lovely Lala, of course.”
For the next half hour, I sat there spilling my guts. I told him the entire story about Caitlin, and even brought him up to date about Lacey. “I wanted to do it, but I just couldn’t. I felt like I was cheating, even though Alex and I weren’t together, and I hadn’t seen her in months. I’m not sure what to do, how to move past it. Maybe you could help me out, give me some guidance, because I have no damn idea which way to turn.”
I scanned the quiet cemetery, searching for some sort of sign from my friend. Finding nothing, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Maybe there wasn’t an answer, and the best I could do was try to find peace within. But then suddenly, a gust of wind stirred, blowing something into my lap. I opened my eyes and looked down, finding the bag of fortune cookies Lala had left behind.
I smiled. “I’m not as gullible as your little sister was, but okay… I’ll give it a try.”
Unfurling the bag, I reached in, pulled out the top cookie, and snapped it in half. The tiny slip of paper had the familiar series of lucky numbers printed on the back, and I flipped it over to read my fortune.
Never let no be the end of your story. Make it a chapter in your journey to yes.
“Seriously?” I looked over at the headstone, a smile tugging at my lips. “How the hell did you do that?”
I wasn’t sure I’d ever get that answer, but Ryan had given me what I needed—a swift kick in the ass. The answer had been obvious the entire time, though, hadn’t it? I’d sat here telling Ryan I was in love, and I thought she loved me, too. Yet I couldn’t figure out what to do. Had my head been up my ass or something? Because the answer was so damn obvious now—never let no be the end of your story.
I climbed to my feet in a hurry, shoving the slip of paper into my pocket. “Thanks, buddy. I know what I need to do now.”
My heart raced as I climbed into my car and took out my phone. I debated calling Alex, but I didn’t want anything to mess up what I was about to do. So I went with a text and jumped right in without any preamble.
Brayden: I’m madly in love with you. Be ready at 8 tonight.
I hit send and then realized she might think I was drunk or be confused about what she was supposed to be ready for. So I tapped out another message.
Brayden: In case you’re wondering, I’m perfectly sober. And dinner is at eight. Wear something sexy.
I hit send again, but then reconsidered telling her how to dress. She was in upstate New York for a construction project. She probably didn’t have anything sexy with her. I’d have to fix that. Some overpriced store must deliver. But first, another text…
Brayden: Something will be delivered for you to wear.
I might’ve lost my mind, but excitement pumped through my veins, so I didn’t give two shits. And screw it—since Alex was likely going to think I’d hit my head on something, I might as well jump in with both feet.
Brayden: And don’t wear anything underneath.
The little dots started to bounce around. Oh shit. Alex was typing back. She might tell me no—which I wasn’t going to accept. So before she could do that, I quickly tapped out one last text.