Total pages in book: 191
Estimated words: 182070 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182070 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Like my cousin had said, he wouldn’t say something and he wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t completely serious. I knew Zac as a jokester as much as I knew him as the man who usually had incredible self-discipline and dreams bigger than anything. He was a man who earned people’s friendship and devotion.
He knew what he wanted out of life more often than he didn’t. But sometimes we all just needed a little push. Whether it was a gentle one or a hard shove was the question though.
And his smile in that moment was as wide as Texas. “And here I was thinkin’ I’d have to make you a list of reasons why I am,” he said with amusement, with so much affection it threatened to break my heart in half.
But only threatened, because I didn’t spook easily. I was used to being given these tiny microscopic chances and running with them. All I ever needed in anything was an opportunity and my greedy ass would take it all.
Because he cared for me.
He was here on this night, before his game, because he’d missed me.
Because he said he loved me.
Because I mattered.
They were all things I had known but in a different way. A very different way. And I had wanted this so badly, I had just never seriously hoped of thinking it was a possibility.
But of course it was. It should have always been. He could do a hell of a lot worse than me.
“Nah,” I told him, reaching across the console and booping him on the nose with my free hand even though it shook. “I believe you.”
And just as quickly as that subtle joy had risen inside of me, it went away.
Because I remembered.
I remembered what the hell had driven me to come all the way here. To spend two weeks looking at apartments. To have spent my Thanksgiving missing him. To have my favorite people badgering me in my sister’s kitchen.
My mood dropped just. Like. That.
I drew my hand back like he’d burned me, and his happy expression instantly disappeared. “What is it?”
Tucking my hand back beneath my leg, I told myself to be an adult and just… say it. “You’re being all nice and sweet to me and saying all this, and… and… it’s bullshit.”
“What’s bullshit?”
“This. What you’re saying.”
That blue-eyed gaze narrowed. “No, it’s not.”
I nodded a little sarcastically, a little mean. “Well, yeah, it kind of is.”
“Tell me why you think that.”
“Because… two, three weeks ago, you let some girl sit on your lap and push her titties in front of your face. If that’s how you think you’re supposed to love someone, then you’re doing something wrong. I know you said you’re new to it, but you’re not dumb.”
He blinked once. “No, I didn’t.”
“Yes, you did. I saw the picture, Zac.”
His forehead creased, and he was straight-up frowning as both of his hands held mine. That handsome Disney prince face was pulled into a deep frown, probably the deepest frown I’d ever seen on him. “No, I didn’t.”
He was denying it.
I eyed him, knowing in my bones that he wouldn’t lie. Not to me. Not over something like this. I knew it.
So what the hell did that mean? I knew what I’d seen. I hadn’t imagined that shit. I’d seen the date she posted it.
“I did no such thing, darlin’. I don’t even know what you’re talkin’ about. I haven’t had any girls anywhere near my lap in… I don’t know how long. Forever.” His frown got even more fierce. “Not since before you showed up. Longer than that.”
I wanted to frown at him or think this was bullshit or at least claim that it was, but… I knew this person. I knew him well. Better than anyone.
I looked at his face, at his handsome, perfect face, looking confused and worried, and that sharp edge of jealousy and anger wavered big-time.
“What picture are you talkin’ about?”
I held my breath a little. “This woman posted a picture of herself sitting on your lap.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know. Some girl on Picturegram.”
He didn’t even seem to think about it. “Show me.”
I thought about it, pondered it and shook my head. “I didn’t save it or anything, old man. I’m not a masochist. It came out the day after your friends showed up. Trevor saw it too.”
He thought about it. “The day I went over to Amari’s? After we hung out with Aiden and Vanny?”
Went over to Amari’s? “Yes.” Yes to the time we hung out with Aiden, Vanessa, and their kids. But Amari’s?
Zac was still thinking about it even as he shook his head. “Bibi, we watched film at his place. I went to the store to buy some new underwear and went to his place right after. That’s why he called while we were with Van and the kids, to invite us over. I asked you, remember? His mom made us food. I was tired and passed out on the couch. His mom was the only woman there, and she’d probably slap me if I asked her to sit in my lap.”