Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 86126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“Don’t swear.”
“I’m gonna come to your house and you’re gonna saunter out of there like some rock star, flipping your asshole dad the bird the whole time.”
“Yeah right!” She giggled.
“They won’t be able to stop you,” I whispered, leaning forward to brush my lips over hers. Once, twice, before pulling back to a safe distance. “I’ll fuck up anyone that tries.”
“You promise?”
“I swear it.”
“The day I turn eighteen,” she confirmed, her eyes soft.
“I’ll pick you up at fuckin’ midnight,” I confirmed roughly.
“Don’t swear,” she whispered, reaching out to run her fingers lightly over my wrist. She glanced up at the clock behind me and sighed. “I have to go.”
“I’ll stay here ’til I know you’re gone,” I murmured, swallowing hard. “You know I love you?”
“Yeah.” Her cheeks grew rosy as she tucked her hair back into the bun at the base of her neck.
“No matter what,” I called quietly as she walked away.
Her hand came out at her side, just barely. If I hadn’t been looking for it, I wouldn’t have seen it flashing the ASL sign for love.
As soon as she was out of sight, I scrubbed my hands over my face in frustration. I just wanted one fucking day that we could be alone, really alone, for more than a few minutes. I wanted to be able to talk to her louder than a goddamn whisper. Hold her hand without worrying that someone would see us. Kiss her like I wanted to, long and deep, without worrying that we were about to be caught.
“Three more years,” I murmured under my breath, leaning my head back against the shelf. Three more years until we didn’t have to hide anymore. Three more years until she’d be out of that nightmare of a house. Three more years until I didn’t feel like a complete nut job, sneaking around a library just so I could see the girl I was in love with.
If my parents knew how sure I was about her, they’d lose their fucking minds. My brothers would give me endless shit. Hell, everyone I knew would think I was an idiot. We were teenagers and stupid and immature.
None of that changed the fact that when I looked at her, every part of me lit up. There would never be anyone else for me. Someday, Noel Allen was going to be my wife.
Chapter 1
Titus
“The next time I see you anywhere near her,” I snapped, holding the asshole by the neckband of his shirt. “You’ll be breathin’ through a tube, you nasty fuck.”
“Jesus, Titus,” my little sister Myla hissed, pulling on my arm. “Enough.”
I ignored her.
“You understand?” I asked the guy, wrinkling my nose as his eyes welled with tears.
“Got it,” he rasped, nodding like a bobblehead.
“Good. Get the fuck outta here.”
I stood in the middle of the bar and watched him race out like his ass was on fire.
“He won’t bother you again,” I said cheerfully, turning toward my sister.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” she scoffed, stomping toward our friends in the corner.
“What’s up your ass now? You’re welcome, by the way.”
“You know,” she grouched, turning to face me. “I liked you a whole lot better when you didn’t lose it at every single little thing that pissed you off.”
“I didn’t lose it,” I argued. “He walked out on his own two feet, didn’t he?”
“Yeah, this time.”
“Dude grabbed your ass!”
“And I was handling it, you moron!” she shouted.
Throwing my hands up in surrender, I took a step backward. “I’m sorry, Rambo. Next time I’ll have you escort the creep out. My bad.”
Myla’s hands fisted at her sides just like they’d done when we were kids, and for a second, anticipation shot through me at the thought of her swinging. She had a solid right hook and I wouldn’t mind the split second of adrenaline getting hit in the face would bring me. Of course, it wasn’t as if I’d ever hit her back, so the feeling would be short-lived.
“I’m gonna stop inviting you out if you can’t control yourself,” she growled.
“You didn’t invite me,” I replied dubiously. “I talked to Cian about it on Thursday.”
“Next time I’ll tell him to keep his mouth shut.”
“All good then?” Cian asked, moving in behind Myla to look at me over her head. “Heard my name.”
“Next time, don’t tell him where we’re going,” Myla bitched, pointing her finger at me.
“Oh, alright.” He widened his eyes at me.
“Some asshole grabbed her ass at the bar and she’s upset about how I took care of it,” I mocked.
“He nearly pissed himself!”
“Where is he?” Cian asked, searching the crowd like he’d find the guy.
“He’s gone.” I couldn’t hide the satisfaction in my voice.
“Maybe I liked him grabbing my ass,” Myla spit. “Ever think of that?”
“Yeah, that’s why you shot straight as an arrow and swung around like you were going to tear his throat out with your teeth—because you liked it,” I replied flatly.