Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“Are you going to talk to me?” He sighs. “I miss you.”
All sadness dries up as anger ignites in my chest, hot and explosive. He misses me? He’s the one who dumped me days before our wedding. His family had flown in from California. We’d been so happy and eager to get married.
Fuck. Him.
“I guess you saw my relationship status,” Toby says, frustration in his tone. “We’re supposed to get married on Valentine’s Day but…”
But that’s when we were supposed to get married.
Hang up, Dante.
“As it nears, I can’t help but think maybe it’s a bad idea, you know?”
At this, I make a derisive snort. “Maybe you should wait until the week before to let the unlucky bastard know you don’t love him anymore.”
“Dante—”
I press end on the call, hating how weak I am. It’s been almost two years since that fateful day when he ripped my heart out. I’d been doing great until this week.
The phone rings and Toby’s name shows up on the screen. I send it to voicemail. Seconds later, he texts me.
Toby: I thought we could talk about this. About us.
There. Is. No. Us.
Rather than respond, I delete the text and then block his contact.
I sit back in my chair, my hands shaking as I try to compose myself. I’m feeling raw and shredded. It makes me want to call Jax, beg him to cancel the party he’s going to, and stay the night in my bed.
“Hey, Dante,” Zak says from my doorway of my office. “Callan sent me to get you. Shelly ordered pizza and it just got here.”
I force a smile at him. “Thanks. I’ll be in the dining room soon.”
His features pinch into one of concern. “You okay? You look like you’ve been crying.”
“I’m fine,” I lie.
He walks into the office and sits down across from me. “Is it about Jax?”
“No.”
“Look,” he murmurs, keeping his voice low. “I know he’s gay, whether he admits it or not. And I know you two like each other.”
I keep my features impassive. “I said I’m fine, Zak.”
“He’s worth it.” He shoots me a fierce look, much like his older brother.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Jax. He’s a good guy. Because Dad’s an asshole, he’s always been a little sad and afraid. But my brother is also one of the best men I know. When it’s time to fight for what he loves, he does it without hesitation.”
My jaw clenches, but I don’t betray Jax’s secret.
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you,” Zak continues. “He’s going to fall in love with you. Hell, he’s probably already there. And when it’s time to go against Dad in order to keep you, he absolutely will, Dante. I have no doubt.”
I hate that his words have hope swirling in with the despair I’d felt only moments before.
“You think you know everything, kid, don’t you?”
He gives a smug, one-shouldered shrug. “I know a lot more than you think.”
“Does Callan know you want him?”
His confidence melts away as horror flashes in his eyes. “W-What? No.”
“Let me give you some advice,” I say with a sad sigh. “Hooking up with the only gay guy you know when you finally realize you’re not into chicks is a bad idea. It’ll end badly. You’re eighteen. Chances are, you’ll date a helluva lot more men before you settle on the one. Callan needs this friendship a lot more than he needs a fuck buddy.”
Zak’s face burns crimson. “I don’t want to mess up our friendship. He’s one of the few people who understands me.”
“Then don’t fuck it up with sex.”
His body deflates at my words, but he gives me a nod. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“You’re a good guy, Zak. One day, you’ll find the right person to explore that side of yourself. It’ll be worth the wait.”
“I hope so.”
“I know so.”
Jaxson
I can’t believe I’m doing this.
I love Cato, but goddamn does he make me crazy sometimes.
“Let me see,” Cato demands. “You promised you’d show me.”
With a huff, I exit the bathroom of his mom’s condo. Thank fuck she’s staying at her boyfriend’s tonight so she doesn’t have to witness this shit show. “Are you happy?”
“No. You promised pajamas. Those don’t count.”
“I sleep in these all the time,” I argue, motioning at my sweatpants and T-shirt.
“Without the shirt.”
“I’m not going topless.”
“You act like you have tits or something. Damn, Jax. You’re such a party pooper.”
I shrug as I walk past him to the kitchen where he’s laid out a shit ton of snacks and alcoholic drinks.
“I have an extra pair of these, but in teal,” Cato says, pointing at his tiny red briefs that leave nothing to the imagination. “You want to borrow them?”
“I’m not wearing that shit,” I grumble. “Can we get this party started?”
He doesn’t make eye contact as he begins making me a drink. “Sure, but we’re still waiting on my other guest.”