Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 63702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Unknown – I want money. When you sell that house, I will take everything you get from it. Every single cent. Plus more.
I shake my head. “Is that all this is about? Money?”
“Money makes the fuckin’ world go round,” Colt growls, typing out a response.
M – I thought this was about Jeannie. Sounds more like you’re in it for the money.
Unknown – It is whatever I say it’s about. I want money. You will give me what I want.
M – If I say no?
Unknown – The police will enjoy that photo.
Colt hisses a curse as I take the phone from his hand.
“This fucker, I’m goin’ to find out who he is.”
“Do you know the man Jeannie was with the night she got hit?” I ask.
Colt nods. “Can’t even remember his name, but he had nothin’ to do with anythin’. It wouldn’t be him doin’ this – she barely knew him. They had only just met.”
“Are you sure about that?”
He glances at me. “Well, we’re sure as shit goin’ to find out.”
Indeed, we are.
If he wants to play his little games, we’ll play right back.
Only we’ll win.
I’ll make sure of it.
“YOU SEEM DISTRACTED.”
Staring across the table at Anthony, guilt consumes me.
I shouldn’t have agreed to come on a date with him, but he kept messaging, and I didn’t want to sound like a horrible person for not even giving him a chance. So, I agreed. He is easy to talk to, and seems friendly enough, but I already know it’ll never be anything more than a casual date. I should tell him that, instead of wasting his time, he is trying so hard.
I’ll at least get through this date, and then I’ll break it to him.
I offer him the best smile I can muster up. “I’m sorry. I do have a lot on my mind.”
He tips his head to the side, offering me a compassionate look. “Something I can help with?”
“No, I’ll manage. I just found out some news about family that has been hard to process. I’ll get there.”
He nods. “I’m sorry to hear that. It’s always hard receiving bad news. Do you want to take our food to the lake? It might be nicer there.”
“Sure.”
We stand and he asks the waitress to get our burgers takeaway, then we get into his car and drive to the local lake. It’s busy today with families on their boats, fishing and swimming, the smell of food being grilled tickles my nose. It is a lot nicer here, and I do hate that I haven’t taken the time to come down and see it yet. I’ve been so wrapped up in the house, Chloe, and Colt, that I haven’t taken any time to enjoy my surrounds.
“This is great,” I tell Anthony as we find a nice shady spot by the water and sit on the grass.
It’s soft, and I can’t help but run my fingers through it. I’ve missed grass. The urge to lay on it and just close my eyes, facing the sun, is overwhelming. I wouldn’t mind the peace for just a moment. It would be amazing to act like the world wasn’t still spinning around me, and it was just me and the grass.
Anthony watches me, his face soft and relaxed. “I do like it here.”
“Have you lived in the area long?”
“A few years. I come and go. I don’t have family here, but I was dating a woman that lived here and grew to love the area, so I stayed.”
“It didn’t work out?” I ask, taking the package of food he hands me.
The delicious scent of burger assaults my nose, and my mouth waters. I’m hungry.
“No, she and I wanted different things. We’re still friends, though.”
“That’s always important.”
“What about you? Have you met any men since you’ve been here that have taken your fancy?”
I snort. “No. I’m here to do what I have to do, then I’m leaving. There seems to be too much pain in this town for me.”
He frowns. “I’m sorry you see it that way. Maybe I can change your mind?”
I like that he’s trying so hard, but this is never going to happen.
I don’t answer him, instead I tuck into my burger and watch the water. I must admit, I do feel relaxed, and it has been a while since I’ve enjoyed that feeling. Once we’re finished eating, Anthony takes me for a walk on a trail that leads around the lake. We talk casually, but nothing that gets my blood pumping. A man like Anthony would probably make an incredible husband, supportive and loving, but I can’t seem to get my mind off the rugged biker that is, without a doubt, no good for me.
“Do you want to do dinner tonight?” Anthony asks when we get back to his car.
“Oh, I’d love to, but I have other plans. Maybe another night?”