Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
The thought has me adjusting myself and trying to name baseball players. Why am I here again?
“Vaughn snuck out last night to go get Berkley.” My voice is low and it sounds like I’ve been eating rocks because it’s so unused.
“I thought that might be what would happen.” She hums as she walks over to a chair and puts it in front of one of the tall shelves.
“You knew he would leave?” Why does everything I say to her sound like an accusation?
“Well, yeah.” She looks over her shoulder and her eyes pierce me right in the chest, but I lose my breath as she shrugs. “It’s pretty clear he’s in love with her.”
“He doesn’t even know what that is.” I dismiss my brother’s attraction to Berkley just like I did with Kade and Collins.
She smiles at me like I’m a child she’s trying to explain something to. “Did you ever think maybe you’re the one that’s mistaken?”
“No.” My answer is too quick and she sees right through it.
She turns away as she positions the chair in front of the shelf and proceeds to climb on top of it. I’m across the room in half a second and my anger flares as I stand behind it.
“What the fuck are you doing? This stool isn’t meant to be stood on.” I grab the wobbly wooden seat as she goes up on her tiptoes.
“If these shelves weren’t so tall I wouldn’t need it.” As soon as I see her lift one foot I freak out and grab her leg.
“You’re going to fall!” I shout at her as she wobbles in the air.
“Stop! You’re going to make me fall!” she shouts back and my blood boils.
Who the hell does she think she is coming in here, climbing on this fucking rickety chair, and then shouting at me not to save her? I swear to God, if she falls it will be because of her own doing. And how did she even become a doctor without the slightest bit of self-preservation?
“Xander, let go of me!” Her other foot tries to kick out just as I grab it but my arms are too strong and she loses her balance. “Ahhh!”
She screams as she topples backwards but I’m right there to catch her in my arms. She lands with an oomph and suddenly her face changes from fear to outrage.
“Put me down, you big grumpy ox.” She shoves at my chest as I put her on her feet and take a step back.
“I didn’t exactly come in here to save you,” I snap back at her and she pokes my chest.
“The only reason you ever come here is to scowl at me like I’m stealing gauze.”
“You might be!” I shout and I know it’s ridiculous, but I can’t take it back.
“Do you have any idea how much your brother is paying me to stay here? Why the hell would I steal medical supplies?”
“I don’t trust you,” I say, leaning in closer. The scent of lemons and fruit invades my senses and I hate how much the familiar smell drives me crazy.
“The feeling is mutual.” Her voice is so cold she might as well have slapped me. Why do I care so much about what she thinks of me?
I open my mouth to tell her she’s not welcome, but the sound of her stomach growling interrupts me. She slides her hand over her waist, and as our eyes meet I see there’s a glint of humor in them at me hearing the noise too.
“I guess time got away from me and I forgot to eat.”
“You’re supposed to eat.” It’s the only thing I can manage to say, even though I want to tell her to get off this island and never come back. I want to tell her about how much I hate what she does to me, but instead my mouth has other ideas. “Come with me to the kitchen.”
“I can find my own way there.” She crosses her arms over her chest and it’s a protective stance.
“I’m on the way there, and I want to keep an eye on you.” I use the lie to cover for wanting to see what she likes to eat.
“Fine.” She rolls her eyes as she pushes past me, and I hate the way my body warms at her slightest touch. “There’s no use in arguing with you, it’s a waste of time.”
“Glad you see things my way.”
CHAPTER TWO
LULA
See things his way? Okay, I guess we can call it that. Whatever gets me food at this point. I follow him back up toward the main houses. It’s lovely how they have them set up. Each brother has a home of their own but in the center sits a fourth house that everyone tends to linger around in. It’s where most meals are shared, but afterward everyone goes back to their own space.