Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 46733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
“Yeah,” I reply, knowing I’ll have to tell him soon.
How much longer can this go on?
I was a fool for thinking I could come to this wedding and not claim my woman. I was a fool for thinking I could fight this.
Quickly pulling on a fresh shirt, I answer the door.
Gil smiles tightly, gesturing outside.
“Up for taking a walk?”
I almost tell him, no, but then I catch myself, and I hate myself. I have no right to tell him no about anything, especially on his wedding weekend, especially after what I just did.
“Sure.”
Together, we head down the walkway toward the beach.
“Are you okay?” I ask as he stares at the sand, his shoulders slumped.
“Yeah,” he mutters. “I just need to know…I was a good husband, wasn’t I? The first time around?”
I pause, and so does he. Reaching over, I clap him on the shoulder, looking at him firmly. For a few moments, it’s like I can forget about Brooke.
I never can, will never be able to. But it’s how badly Gil needs to hear this, allowing me to distance myself for a second.
And it hurts, even this tiny distance.
It feels good to be a friend, even if that’s a complete contradiction. He probably wouldn’t value my words if he knew the truth.
“Gil, you were an incredible husband. You were always supportive. You always did the right thing. You were patient. You were exactly how I’d want to be if I ever got married.”
Gil smiles, nodding. “Thanks, Banner. I needed to hear that. It’s all starting to feel real now.”
I let his shoulder go, and we walk on.
“That’s not like you talking about getting married,” Gil says. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
He says it in a joking tone, but suddenly I know I can’t lie anymore. I can’t keep going like this.
He needs the truth…
“Gil!” Sonya calls from across the beach, completely saving my ass.
He turns. “Yeah?”
“Something’s wrong with Mila.”
CHAPTER 15
Brooke
I stand in Mila’s room, tantalizingly aware of Banner standing in the corner. He looms like a giant, his muscles nearly tearing through his T-shirt, his eyes fixed on Mila as if stubbornly not looking at me.
The medically trained guide tells us Mila is exhausted from all the heat and exercise.
“She needs to rest for the evening and drink plenty of fluids. But I’m certain she’ll…,” the guide, Charlotte, smiles tightly and looks at Mila. “You’ll be back to normal tomorrow. Try to take it a little easier in the sun.”
“I will,” Mila says, sitting up and rolling her eyes. “It’s so beautiful out here. It’s silly, but I forgot to drink water.”
“It’s not silly,” Sonya says, reaching over and taking her hand. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
Mila grins at me. “Looks like we’re both determined to ruin this weekend, huh?”
“What?”
I snap at her like I never do, like I never have, and then I realize I’ve completely misinterpreted it.
I thought she was talking about Banner and me, but no.
She must be talking about when I fell into the water.
Everybody turns to me, even Banner, which makes this worth it in some perverse sense.
Why hasn’t he looked at me until now? He didn’t even reply about the virginity thing.
Maybe I’ve put him off.
“Sorry.” I shake my head, laughing awkwardly. “Maybe the sun’s getting to me too.”
When Sonya and dad exchange a look, Mila stares at me, mouthing sorry. She knows what happened. I shake my head quickly at her, silently telling her it’s okay. It’s not her fault.
“Do you want me to stay with you?” Sonya asks.
“No,” Mila replies. “Honestly – and I don’t mean to be rude – I think I just need a nice long nap.”
“Just make sure to drink plenty of water,” Charlotte says, nodding. “Otherwise, you should be fine.”
“I will,” Mila says.
“I’ll check,” Sonya adds. “Don’t worry.”
After giving Mila a quick hug, I leave the room with the others.
Banner’s back to not looking at me, his fists clenched, his jaw pulsing. It’s hard to think that my mind was all fireworks and brightness only fifteen minutes ago as I touched myself to his words.
The four of us walk out together, dad and Sonya naturally close, leaving Banner and me to walk behind.
I can feel his shoulder almost brushing mine, sensing how close he is, like any second he’s going to wrap his arm around me.
I try to imagine dad turning around, seeing it, and smiling supportively. I try to imagine him looking at us and being happy that we found each other, that we don’t have to face this world alone.
And sure, it’s a little awkward for him, but he forgives us.
In my head, in my dreams, anyway.
“Have you decided what you’re doing this evening?” Sonya asks, turning when we’re at the beach, looking at me, then Banner.
My mind is spinning into crazy mode.
I find myself thinking….