Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
As a psych major I’d done a few internships over the years and knew well the many varying psychosis of man. I’ve come to the conclusion from everything I’ve seen thus far that Braden is a lone wolf. I just need to figure out why.
“Of course.” It’s textbook behavior. His kind only knows how to keep people at arm’s length; it’s a defense mechanism. I felt better once I assured myself that I was right and no longer felt eviscerated by his harsh words and tone.
I pulled into the sheriff’s station feeling lots better than I did when I left the cabin. I didn’t stop to think about the can of worms I might possibly be opening up when I walk through those doors. All I knew was that I couldn’t just ignore that feeling.
Because all the while he was being obnoxiously rude, the whole time I was sitting out on his porch feeling awkward and out of place, my heart was beating sweeter than it ever has before.
The road ahead promised to be hard, perhaps harder than anything I’ve ever faced, but still, that feeling kept getting ever more persistent.
BRADEN
“What the fuck now?” I looked at the ringing phone tempted to leave it, but conditioning made me reach out and pick it up. It could be my little brother or one of my nieces or nephews.
Don’t let it be my sister in law. One annoying ass female was more than enough for any sane man in one day. Right now it’s a toss up between which of those two is the worst.
One I’ve known for years, the other a few minutes. That’s bad. The fact that I can’t choose which one is my worst fucking nightmare. It’s not looking so good for the princess.
I didn’t even feel bad for thinking that shit. My little sister knows I think she’s a pain in the ass. Doesn’t stop her from meddling in my shit. As to the other…
“What?” I barked into the phone.
“Hello big brother, and how are you this fine day?”
“Asshole, don’t you have a job?”
“Indeed I do, and part of that job is taking care of the safety and welfare of my citizens.”
“What the fuck? Who said I did shit?” Every once in a while some bleeding heart would complain to him that I shot at them or some fuck. The fuck are they doing traipsing around my land?
Not my fault they can’t read the Keep Out signs. Besides, I haven’t done that shit in about a month. “Did you curse at that nice young lady who came out to thank you this morning? You do know there’s a no swearing ordinance in our little town.”
“Fuck you I’m not in your town limits, I’m up here minding my own business. That’s what you get for sending her ass up here.” He sighed like a perturbed grandfather or some shit and started lecturing me. I hung up on his ass.
I should’ve known she’d go sniveling to him, like he could kick my ass, nosy fuck. I ignored the phone when it started ringing again and grabbed my gun as I headed out the door.
I need to pop off a few rounds to let off some steam and there’s no better way to do that than to go on the hunt. The way I’m feeling I’m not sure if I’m going after game or man.
I whistled for my dog whose lazy ass came running from around the side of the house. I saw him high tailing his ass back here a few minutes ago after the neighbor had chased him off no doubt. Fucker better not shoot my dog like he’s been threatening to.
Everybody knows his prize bitch is the neighborhood jump off. Maybe he should keep her well bred ass locked up somewhere. Of course that wouldn’t be a deterrent to my dog, whose trained to get into shit.
“Let’s go you. And the next time you pick sides with someone else you’re on your own. Jackass.” He complained in his way and trotted along beside me, not giving a fuck.
It didn’t work. Two hours spent shooting at shit and I still couldn’t get her off my mind. Only thing is, now, instead of seeing her eyes the way they looked the night before, I saw them filled with unshed tears. Put there by me. Fuck!
A cold beer out on the porch in the hot afternoon sun helped to take the edge off, just a little. And a constant reminder that I don’t owe her shit did the rest. Where is it written that I have to be nice? Wasn’t saving her ass nice enough?
“What’re you looking at?” Damn dog looks half human sometimes. His judgmental ass! “How is it my fault for being honest with her? She doesn’t think before she acts. She doesn’t know me from a hole in the wall, what the hell was she doing driving out here alone?” Damn mutt rolled his eyes at me.