Total pages in book: 296
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
Liam starts cracking up laughing. “No!”
“Not only that, she shows up wearing an oversized trench coat with a bottle of whiskey.”
“A trench coat?” He looks confused.
“Yep, and when I told her I wasn’t interested, she opened her coat and was completely naked.” I take a pull from my beer, shaking my head at the memory.
“Holy fuck. Naked?” Liam continues to laugh. “How’d you talk your way out of that one?”
I hang my head and shake it.
“No…” he slowly says. “No, mate. Don’t tell me…”
I close my eyes and reluctantly shake my head. “Yep. I blame the whiskey, though.”
“So then what happened? How’d you get rid of her?”
I pinch my lips together, realizing it probably wasn’t the best story to share with a person I barely know, but what the hell. It’s not like I’ll see him ever again once we leave.
“Walked her to the door the next morning, told her I’d call her, and then changed my number.”
Liam is dying with laughter, completely losing control.
“Then when I saw her at the diner in town two months later, she walked up to me with an entire pie and smashed it in my face in front of everyone.”
“Oh, fuck.” Liam continues his fit of laughter.
“Then to top it off, she grabbed my hot cup of coffee and poured it in my lap.”
Dylan finally breaks away from Jessica long enough to show his interest in our conversation. “You talkin’ ’bout Crazy Carly?” He grins, and when I confirm it, he starts laughing along with Liam.
“Crazy Carly?” Liam asks. “Sounds fitting.”
“Way, way too fitting,” I agree, grabbing my beer and finishing it.
We hang out with Liam and Jessica for another hour before we decide to take off and find another bar. Loud music comes from both directions, but we head toward the bar where a live band is playing.
“You’re going to run out of time,” Dylan teases. “However, some girls are probably desperate enough to go back to the room with you tonight.” He chuckles.
“Fuck off.” I push him slightly as we enter the bar. “I don’t need a babysitter, so why don’t you find your own girl for the night.”
“I was trying to get Jessica, but I felt like I’d be stealing her away from Liam.”
“Nah, I don’t think he cared. Seemed like they’d just met anyway.”
“Really?” His brows raise. “Well, then I’m going to go back and find her. You sure you don’t mind if I leave?”
I shoot him an irritated look. “No. Go. Just make sure to check your phone or text me if you head back to the room. I don’t need to see your white ass again.”
“You got it.” And with that, he turns around and heads out.
Relieved I finally have him off my back, I step inside. The live music is loud as fuck, but within a few minutes, my ears adjust, and it’s not so bad. I can’t help it, but I glance around with hopes that my luck changes.
I head up to the bar and order another drink, and just as I turn around to face the band again, I see her. Blinking several times to make sure I’m not imagining it, I take a few steps closer to confirm.
She’s in a short, tight black dress and her beautiful blonde hair is down around her shoulders in loose waves. I only got a glimpse of her side profile, but I’m damn certain it’s her. After a minute, I realize she’s not alone. Natalie and Adam are next to her, and a guy I don’t recognize has his arms around her waist. My heart races and my feet gravitate toward her before I can stop myself.
“River,” I lean down and shout, hoping she can hear me over the music.
Startled, she quickly turns and when she realizes it’s me, her eyes and smile widen.
“Alex!” she shouts back. “Hey!”
Natalie, Adam, and the other guy all turn around at the same time.
“Alex! Yay!” Natalie shouts. She attacks me and wraps her arms around my neck. “Where have you been?”
“We’ve been out exploring and partying,” I respond. “Haven’t seen you guys around in a few days,” I say, hoping I sound casual, but I can feel the energy buzzing between River and me. Lowering my eyes, I keep them locked on her. “What have you guys been doin’?”
“Beachin’!” Natalie offers in her tipsy voice.
I grin and nod. “Can I buy you a drink?” I ask River, keeping my attention on her. The guy’s grip tightens as he pulls her to his side, and my teeth clench.
“She’s with me,” the guy speaks up, his voice weak and pathetic.
Blinking, I take one look at the dweeb before bringing my eyes back to River. She lowers her head as if she’s not sure what to say or do.
“River,” I drawl, grabbing her attention. “Is that right?”