Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 79553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Camden nods. “Speaking of not talking to anyone. Have you heard from Kendall? Mom and Dad said she’s contacted them, and they know she’s okay, but she isn’t posting on social media and hasn’t reached out to anyone else. I’m worried. She’s one of the strongest people I know on the outside, but deep down… ” He sighs. “She’s great at putting on a good front, but I think she’s hurting and doesn’t want anyone to see it.”
“I haven’t heard from her,” Kaylee says with a frown. “But we’re not all that close. She hasn’t spoken to Layla? They’re good friends.”
Camden shakes his head. “Aside from a call to our mom and a few texts that she’s okay, nobody’s heard from her since she dipped out on her wedding.”
“She’s okay,” I confirm.
“You’ve spoken to her?” he asks, his eyes wide.
“She’s okay,” I repeat, hoping he gets what I’m saying. I promised Kendall I wouldn’t say anything, and I don’t want to go back on that, but I can’t just sit here and let her brother worry.
Camden looks like he wants to ask more questions, but thankfully, he doesn’t.
We bullshit for a few more minutes, avoiding the topic of Raging Chaos since we’ve silently agreed not to discuss it until we have Gage back, and then everyone hangs up after saying we’ll talk soon.
I throw my phone on the counter and go in search of Kendall, finding her lying out on a lounge chair on the expansive back deck. She’s lost in thought, scribbling in her notebook, and doesn’t notice I’m there until I drop down next to her.
“Your brother asked if I’ve spoken to you.”
Her hand stills, but she doesn’t look up.
“Said you haven’t contacted anyone but your parents…” When she doesn’t say anything, I continue. “I told him you were okay.”
Her head pops up. “You—”
“Just said you were okay. Nothing more.”
She nods.
“Why haven’t you reached out to your brother and sisters?”
She shrugs, but I refuse to let her get away with that shit. Grabbing the notebook and pen from her, I drop them onto the end of the chair and then pull her into my lap so she’s straddling my thighs. “Baby, talk to me.”
Her gaze drops, refusing to look at me, so I lift her chin and kiss the tip of her nose. “Kendall…”
“I was embarrassed,” she admits softly. “Still am… Bailey and Camden are both so perfect. They have the perfect relationships and make perfect decisions. They both told me I was rushing things, but I didn’t listen. They probably think I’m such an irresponsible idiot.”
“First of all,” I say, meeting her eyes. “Nobody is perfect. And they might’ve said that to you, but it’s only because they love you. You should’ve seen the look in his eyes. He’s so damn worried about you. Nobody thinks you’re irresponsible or an idiot. They only want you to be happy.”
“I think this is the happiest I’ve been in a long time,” she admits, making my heart swell. “I love our little bubble and didn’t want to pop it.”
“I love our bubble too,” I tell her, kissing her pillow-soft lips. “But those people are a part of our big bubble, and in a few weeks, when we return, they’ll be there because they’re not going anywhere.”
She nods in understanding. “How is he?”
“Good. Braxton and Kaylee got married in Vegas and are now in Paris for a few weeks on their honeymoon. Marianna is starting to crawl and driving Felix nuts. Camden said he wants to trade her in for a brother.”
Kendall barks out a laugh. “I miss them.” Her eyes water, and when a tear escapes, I wipe it away with my thumb.
“We can go home anytime you want.”
“Not yet.” She leans her head against my chest and wraps her arms around me. “I need a little more time with you. Is that okay?”
“Of course, it is,” I tell her, kissing the crown of her head. “I just need to be back before Gage gets out.”
We spend the rest of the day lounging outside. We write for a few hours, then hit the hot tub. When it gets dark out, we light the bonfire and roast hot dogs and s’mores.
One day at the lake turns into two, and before we know it, a week has passed, and we’re packing up to head to our next destination.
“Where are we going?” Kendall asks as we drive down the highway toward the industrial airport, where a private plane is waiting to take us to our next stop.
“Surprise,” I tell her. “Make sure you get everything of yours from the car.”
“What? Why?” she asks as I pull into the airport.
“Someone’s coming to pick it up and drive it back to Calabasas.”
She glances around, her eyes going wide when she realizes where we are. “We’re taking a plane?”