Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 57943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
I badly wanted to believe him.
“Let me run in and pay. Then I’ll follow you back to your place. After we drop off your car, we’ll swing by my place and pick up some of my things so I can stay with you,” he ordered, hopping out of the truck.
Twenty minutes later, we were sitting close together, this time in his truck on the way to his house. I was trying to put thoughts of Sam away and found myself looking forward to seeing a piece of Cale’s life. A smile tugged at my lips as he pulled his truck into the driveway of an adorable duplex not far from my house. It was well kept and the lawn was neatly manicured.
“It’s just temporary till my house is roofed and the drywall’s in. I’m building something new out by the lake,” he told me as he put the vehicle in park.
We stepped out of the truck and with hands intertwined we made our way inside. I was eager to finally see where he lived. Once we passed through the door, I grinned as I looked around. The inside of the duplex was decorated with modern décor and housed chic furniture. It was really nice.
“I’m going to pack a bag, Lia. Make yourself at home.”
I smiled at him as he turned and strode out of the room. After walking over to his end table, I picked up a frame. It had a picture of an older man and woman who were smiling, a definite contrast of the description he’d given of his parents. They didn’t really look like his parents, but the age had to have put them old enough to be.
“That’s Ron and Linda,” he spoke, coming up a few minutes later and wrapping his arms around me from behind. He was studying the picture over my shoulder, and I could feel his smile. “Ron took me in as his apprentice after I quit college and was disowned by my father. He taught me all I know about home building. That man was a true craftsman. His wife, Linda, was awesome too. They allowed me to stay in their garage apartment for next to nothing. She’d always bring me food and we were always together for holidays. Those two people became the parents I never had. Losing them was especially hard on me,” he choked out, his body tense around me.
“Cale, I am so sorry. I had no idea you suffered so much loss. It makes me realize that maybe I am just a weakling for being unable to handle my past when you are such a great guy having been dealt a terrible hand.”
He brought his mouth down to my ear. “Tell me about your past,” he whispered, causing my body to shiver.
“I want to. I really do. Today just doesn’t seem like a good day for that. Are you hungry?” I was attempting to shift his interest from the topic I never really wanted to discuss.
“Whatever you say, babe,” he murmured with a disappointed sigh into my ear before pulling away to grab his bags.
Even though he tried to remain lighthearted, I could sense that he was upset with me. And dammit, I couldn’t help but hate the feeling.
WHAT IS SO bad about her past that she can’t confide in me?
I didn’t want her to know that she’d hurt me with her lack of entrusting me with her story. Truth was, I was pretty upset that she wouldn’t share her past with me so I could try and help her through her pain. Madison had shut me out once before with her secrets and it’d cost me dearly.
When we pulled up to a diner on the way back to her house, I finally looked over to see her. She turned away from the window and captured me in her green eyed gaze.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
Feeling bad for having been upset, I seized her hand in mine and brought it to my lips to kiss it. “No worries, babe. You can tell me when you’re ready. I’ll be here waiting,” I promised her, causing the corners of her lips to turn up into a smile.
“Thank you.” She pecked me on the lips before hopping out of the truck.
The diner was small and empty of patrons. My eyes scanned the dining room until I located a more private booth. Holding her hand, I tugged her behind me over to it. She sat down and I scooted in beside her. After we ordered some greasy food and milkshakes, she spoke.
“A terrible thing happened to me three years ago. I’ve never voiced it to anyone. I fight to keep those memories at bay because, Cale, I swear they’ll consume me. I’m terrified every single day—well, until I met you. And even though all that’s happened with Sam is absolutely frightening, I can’t help but feel that, as long as you’re near, it will be okay.”