Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 107673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Chae’s door jerked open, startling me. Anxiety pumped through my veins, because I was still a big baby about being parked on such a deserted road, fearing the inevitable moment the bogeyman came. My thoughts zipped over me in rapid-fire succession, trying to rapidly plan my escape.
“It’s Beau,” Chae said, all breathy from her own fear.
Normally, if Beau was in the vicinity, I sensed him but not that time.
He bent to look inside the car. Clearly, based on expression, he was as uncomfortable and unsure. “What’s goin’ on?”
His worried stare went to Chae. “Get in the backseat. You’re lettin’ the mosquito’s in.” Her forceful snap put Beau into action. Within seconds, he shut the back door and popped his head through the center console.
I lifted the steering wheel to get more room to adjust in my seat. A consuming need had me staring at him. Hopefully, my words and body language conveyed support as he learned our latest obstacles.
“Chae knows, but she’s known from the beginning. It’s why she introduced us…” I explained into the quiet inside the car.
“How did you know?” he asked, interrupting me.
“He’s got more to say. Let him finish then I’ll answer anything you want to know.” Chae hadn’t turned to look at Beau, instead adjusting her visor mirror to better see him.
“Chae seems intuitive. She knows you well and your lack of engagement with the opposite sex put it all together after I showed interest at the party.”
Beau nodded. His brow wrinkled as he sorted through what I said.
“But that’s not the concern. The neighborhood has noticed me parked here. Apparently, they’ve connected the car to a Richmond. She thought we should know. Also, the townspeople say we’ve gotten close quickly.”
Chae piped into add, “They’re noticin’ y’all together all the time,” she explained. “I don’t know if you’ve heard but the local’s group is filing bankruptcy. Many individuals are too. Your grandmother told me tonight that she had to let me go because she and your paw are goin’ to go to an attorney tomorrow to look at their options.”
In my world, secrets were held close. Down here, everybody told all their life stories to anyone who listened, meaning gossip and speculation would only thrive.
“I’m sorry,” I said, my focus still on Beau.
“We’re for sure movin’ in that house she wants at the end of the summer. You’ll be back in Southlake by then,” he said to me. “With the way everyone around here thinks they’re losing everything, my mom made sure she had extra space for Nana and Paw. I can’t imagine any gossip about me and you can penetrate their worry,” Beau said, then lifted his stare toward Chae’s mirror. “Don’t repeat that.”
“What did you think about the house and the guy?” I asked about the reason for Beau’s late arrival. My guy had stressed about meeting his mom’s new potential boyfriend. I called him a boyfriend because she spent some part of every day with him, like I did with Beau. But he insisted the guy be called Coach, who was only a friend.
My overprotective bear.
“It’s hard to tell about the house. The woman who lives there has way too much stuff for me to see my mom’s vision, but it’s close to school so I can walk. The guy tried his best to be nice to me which seems all right. Never asked me about football. But they seriously need to take it slow. She’s been through a lot.”
“Was he handsome? Your mom’s pretty. She needs a nice-lookin’ guy to be nice to her,” Chae added, finally turning her head as far as she could to see Beau’s response. “She’s just the best and wants more kids. She’s young enough…”
“What? She doesn’t want more kids. I’m fifteen years old. That’d be weird to have a little brother. Or worse, a sister. I know what guys think. No.”
Chae and I both exchanged a smile at his possessiveness before she settled back in her seat.
“I came here early because I mis…” I let the words trail off, not finishing the sentence. The constant devotion tumbling from my lips might embarrass Beau in front of Chae, making me clamp my mouth closed.
“They kept talkin’ at dinner. They wouldn’t stop. And I had no reception on my phone.”
“Did you play Ninja Assault?” Chae asked, knowing something about Beau that I didn’t. “He’s a beast at the game. He’s been playin’ for a while.”
“I had to walk across the street to CC’s Pizza to find the game. All these new restaurants comin’ in are too fancy to have an arcade area,” he explained.
“Did you get top score?” I asked, already knowing the answer in my heart. Being with Beau meant I’d never win anything else for the rest of my life.
“Absolutely, he did, and I wasn’t even there,” Chae clapped out before Beau could answer.