Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77857 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77857 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
She looked up from her phone, smiling like a woman in love.
“Garrett?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
She nodded. “Thanks for staying tonight. I miss him.”
She had seen him yesterday, but I didn’t point that out.
The car pulled through the entrance to Hughes Farm, and she leaned forward, like she was ready to jump out of the car and run to the man. I looked out of the window at the stables we passed. They were as impressive as the house. A few horses were out in the fenced-in areas. I was curious about the horses. I’d never been around them, but they were beautiful. I’d like to get a chance to see them up close and maybe ride one before I left Ocala.
When the car stopped, Mom was beaming. She had the door open before the driver could get out and open it for her. I watched her, knowing I had to figure out a way to let her have this life without being a part of it. My situation would put them all in danger.
The driver closed Mom’s door and started to my side. I let him open my door simply because it gave me time to prepare for facing Trev. He had been a complete gentleman all week. Every time I was with him, he took the friend thing to a new level. We had laughed, learned a lot about each other. Tonight, we were playing some stupid video game that he loved. He was twenty-one and still played video games. He could be cute, sexy, charming, and sometimes a little dark. Or maybe that last one was my imagination. Tyde had made me paranoid. Trusting a man would be hard for me to ever do again.
I expected Ms. Jimmie to open the door, but it was Garrett who stepped out. His gaze locked on Mom, and a smile spread slowly across his face. He’d been watching for her. He took off the brown cowboy hat on his head and ran a hand through his hair as she reached him.
When he lowered his head to kiss her, I looked away. Watching my mom make out wasn’t on my list of things I wanted to see. Not sure if I should go inside or not, I stood there, looking out over the property.
“Lol—Gypsi.” Trev called my name, and I shifted my gaze to see him walking up from a building out to the far right of the stables.
I smiled at him almost calling me Lollipop in front of my mom and his dad. A black cowboy hat was on his head and he was wearing jeans with black combat boots. The black T-shirt he was wearing was stretched tight across his, chest. Trev Hughes was droolworthy.
“Things handled?” Garrett asked.
Trev gave his father a nod, then turned his attention back to me as he approached the steps. “You hungry? I was thinking pizza. I can get some ordered before I get a shower.”
I glanced back at my mom. She was whispering to Garrett with her hand on his chest as he held her against him. They were in their own little world.
I turned back to him. “Sounds good,” I agreed.
He looked behind me and rolled his eyes, then grinned. “Come on,” he told me, then reached for the bag in my hands with my overnight things. I let him take it and then followed him into the house.
Neither Mom nor Garrett seemed to notice. I wondered what that felt like. To be so wrapped up in another person that the rest of the world faded away when you were with them.
“He’s been fucking irritable all damn day. Maybe she will chill him out,” Trev said, glancing back at me.
Looked like he was pretty happy to me.
“Hang on,” he said to me when we reached the stairs.
I watched as he walked over to the arched doorway.
“Ms. Jimmie!” he called out and waited.
“Yes?” I heard her reply.
“Can you order up some pizza?” Then, he looked at me. “What kind do you like?”
I shrugged. “I like all of it.”
He frowned as if he didn’t believe me. “So, if I order anchovies and pineapple, you’re good with that?”
“You like that?” I asked, horrified.
He chuckled. “Fuck no. I was just making a point.” Then, he turned his head back in the direction of the kitchen. “Order a meat lovers, buffalo chicken, and a cheese,” he called out.
“Will do!”
When he turned and started back toward me, he reached up and took his hat off. The messy, sweaty mop of dark hair made me want to run my fingers through it. I tucked my hands in the pockets of my shorts to keep from reaching out.
“Are you inviting more friends?” I asked, trying not to sound disappointed.
He shook his head. “Did you want me to?”
“You ordered three pizzas.”