Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
“Five weeks?” I ask.
He swallows hard and nods.
“Where will you go?”
“Hopefully L.A. I applied for a few internships with sports agencies.”
I nod. Five weeks. That’s all we have, and then he’ll move across the country. He’s trying to save me from heartache, but he doesn’t realize it’s too late for that.
His phone buzzes on the couch, and he grabs it. But not before I see the name on the screen. Peony.
Less than fifteen minutes later, he’s heading out the door.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
OLIVER
The house party is packed, and normally that would make me turn around and leave. I’m not in the mood to deal with these people or to pretend keg stands are the best entertainment in town. Normally I would leave, but normally I’m not all tangled up over a girl I should be keeping my distance from.
Eddie called me half an hour ago and told me Savvy was here. “I know I should mind my own business, but she’s in a mood, and I’m a little worried she’s going to do something reckless.”
The in a mood part didn’t surprise me. Savvy has been in a mood since we shared a bed two weeks ago. She’s done her studying at the library instead of at home, cancelled our workouts, and picked up extra shifts to spend more time at the café. I’ve told myself it was a gift. That it’s easier to keep my distance if she’s avoiding me. But mostly I’ve wanted to call her on it and make her tell me what’s wrong.
Thankfully, Eddie had left his car at his place and told me to use it for the night.
“Oliver!” a female voice croons from a dark corner.
I glance over and see Melody—or was it Meredith? She’s sitting on another girl’s lap and crooking a finger at me. We hooked up once last year, and ever since she’s acted like we had some long, drawn-out, kinky affair any time I see her.
“Come here,” she says. “You look lost.”
I cross to her. “Have you seen Savannah Downing?”
“Don’t know her,” Melody/Meredith says. “We’re just partying, but we’d have more fun if you were with us.”
Her friend winks at me then licks Melody/Meredith’s neck while never tearing her gaze from mine.
Normally I wouldn’t care, except that’s the moment Savvy spots me. Shit.
Her eyes shift between me and the pair in the corner before going wide for a beat. She turns on her heel and strides out of the room.
I race to follow her. “Savvy!”
She keeps going. Past the kitchen, down the dark hall, and into a room at the end, closing the door. I grab it before she can lock me out, and I step into the darkness with her, pulling the door shut behind me.
“Jesus. Would you just talk to me for a minute?” I ask into the shadows. We must be in some kind of utility room. I can faintly make out some brooms on the far wall next to a big cylinder I’m guessing is a water heater.
“What’s there to talk about?”
“Why are you avoiding me?”
“I’m not avoiding you. I was just letting you enjoy your friends. I didn’t want to be in the way. Does Peony know about them?”
Peony is my nickname for my sister Rose, but I don’t want to get into that right now. What I want is for Savvy to quit shutting me out. I want to see her face, to look into her eyes while I ask what’s going on with her. But this room is pitch black, and when I search the walls for a light switch, I come up empty. I reach for my phone and stop myself. Maybe she’ll open up in the dark in a way she can’t to my face.
“Would you please talk to me?” I ask. “What’s up with you?” I miss you.
“Nothing is up with me. I just . . .” The silence stretches between us, but I won’t fill it. I want to hear the words she’s trapped on her tongue. The truth that’s waiting there but that she’s decided not to trust me with.
“Savannah.” My voice sounds rough. The need I’ve felt for weeks tangles with the syllables of her name. I give up on finding a light and instead search for her in the darkness. I find her hips and pull her back flush with my front. Her sigh is a surrender as she leans her head against my chest.
“I have totally screwed up your life,” she says.
The idea is so ridiculous that I don’t catch the shocked cough of laughter that springs from my throat. “How do you figure?”
“You lost your car because of me, and I’ll never be able to pay you back. You can’t even have a girl over because I’m there. You can’t even bring a woman home.”
“Savvy,” I growl, tightening my grip on her hips. “Do you really think I give a shit about the money? Do you think I want any woman that isn’t you?” I slide one hand up to her belly, snaking my fingers under her shirt until they come into contact with the soft skin there. I splay my fingers, and my thumb brushes the underside of her breast. She gasps but doesn’t pull away.