Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33281 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33281 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
I didn't even know she wanted to go. It's like my best friend is this whole other person I never knew, one who takes big risks, even if they end in disaster. When have I ever done that? Never. I've always played it safe and done what was expected of me.
I'm disappointed that she lied to me. I'm disappointed that she thought she couldn't tell me the truth. But I'm not mad. I…envy her. She went after what she wanted. Maybe she didn't do it the right way. Maybe she made a mess of everything along the way, but she tried. That takes courage.
I've never had that.
"I could never hate you," I whisper fiercely.
She sobs on my shoulder. "Your b-brother is going to h-hate me when he f-finds out the truth."
Maybe. Maybe not. I don't know. Jordan is his own person. I think he's in love with Hollie and has been for a while, but he's never acted on it…unless he did. He has a rigid sense of right and wrong and a steadfast sense of loyalty. The fact that she's so much younger than he is and is my best friend probably weighs on him. But he hasn't been on a single date since he met her. Is it possible he knew who she was in the club?
I don't know.
All I know is that they need to work this out because I don't want to be caught in the middle of my best friend and my brother. I don't want to be stuck between two of the people I love most in this world, keeping secrets for both of them. My brothers mean the world to me. They've been my heroes for my entire life. But Hollie is the sister I always wanted.
"Talk to him, Hollie," I encourage her, knowing nothing will ever be solved if she doesn't confess. "You owe it to yourself and to him."
"I will," she sniffles. "Eventually."
I sigh, deciding not to push. She made a huge mistake, but she's one of the best people I know. She'll make the right decision in due time.
"How mad is Atlas?" she asks after a moment, dabbing her eyes with the corner of the blanket. "Does he hate me?"
"I think he's more confused than mad."
"I'm such a jerk."
"If you're a jerk, I'm a bigger jerk." I cringe. "I basically verbally assaulted him."
"What did you say?"
"Don't ask."
"What did he say?"
"He gave me his coat and told me to put a password on my phone."
"Oh." Her eyes grow wide. "He likes you."
"What? No, he doesn't."
"Oh my gosh! You like him too!"
"What?" I rapidly shake my head, denying it. "I don't."
"You do. It's written all over your face. You like him."
"I do," I groan, admitting it to her and to myself. I hide my face in my hands, my cheeks hot as the truth washes through me. I do like him. More than I should. "I so do!"
She laughs quietly. "Good for you. He's a good guy. Um, a little crazy."
"Yeah, I'm getting that." I drag my hands away from my face, peeking over at her. "He says the most ridiculous things." Like telling me I'd melt when he called me baby. Or asking where the rest of my dress is. Or telling me that his balls hurt. I'm pretty sure he knew exactly what he was saying yesterday, but he said it anyway. He's ridiculous, and I kind of love it.
"You're blushing."
I sigh. "It doesn't matter if I like him or not. Jordan owns the team. He'll kill us both. And Roman will help." They're both overprotective to a fault. I've never dated because it's virtually impossible when your brothers are billionaires with unlimited resources at their fingertips.
The one—and only—time I told them I got asked out, they had his entire life story in five minutes flat and threatened to send me to a convent if I even thought about going out with him simply because he'd been arrested once for public intoxication. He got drunk on Spring Break when he was eighteen.
Hollie's face falls, but she doesn't disagree with my assessment.
Chapter Four
Gabbi
I wait until Hollie is in bed to text Atlas to apologize. Except he didn't put himself in my phone as Atlas. He listed himself as my future husband. He even added himself to my emergency contacts.
He's shameless, really.
I shake my head, a stupid smile on my face as I set it aside to crawl into my bed. I settle against the pillows, dragging my fuchsia Patina Vie duvet up over my lap. Once I'm snuggled in, I grab my phone again to type out a quick text.
Me: Did you seriously add yourself to my emergency contacts?
Not My Future Husband: Who me?
Me: Yes, you.
Not My Future Husband: IDK. I guess people can do anything when you DON'T HAVE A PASSWORD ON YOUR PHONE.