Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 119152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
“And what happened?”
“He was still lying. Again, with the clues, like he thought I was dumb. Photos left in my mailbox. Anonymously, of course. Notes on my windshield while I was at work.”
“Oh, Mak.”
“It just all became too much. He couldn’t stay faithful, and I didn’t want to be with someone I couldn’t trust. So, I filed for divorce.”
“It sounds like it was for the best.”
“It was. Until strange things started happening to me. He wouldn’t let it go. He told me he was going to do everything in his power to win me back. There were calls late at night from unknown numbers. That eerie feeling that someone was always watching me. I swore he was stalking me. He denied it, but I knew. He couldn’t let it go—couldn’t let me go. Then he broke into my laptop, which was the final straw for me. Stole all my personal files. Swore he didn’t do it, but all signs pointed to him. What better way to stall me from leaving him for good and moving back home than to steal all the files I needed to get settled at my father’s house, ya know? Not to mention, he smashed my windshield while I was at work. Anyway. I almost didn’t make it back home in time for Hannah’s wedding because I had to get that replaced, along with all the stupid documents he stole.”
“Crazy. Glad you got out of there.”
“Yeah. Sorry, I didn’t mean to unleash all that. I haven’t told anyone about it. Not even Hannah.”
Jenny reaches for my hand. “It’s good to talk about it. Bottling it all up inside just allows your fears to fester. I’m glad you shared this with me.”
“You don’t think I’m a moron for letting a guy fool me twice?”
“Not at all. I think you’re brave for leaving and knowing when enough is enough.”
I return her comfort, squeezing her hand back. “Thank you. I needed that.”
“Any time. So, what happened to the slutty sidepiece?”
I shrug my shoulders. “Who knows? I didn’t ask who she was. Not that it would have made a difference. What if I knew her? Worked with her? God, what if she was a close friend? Chris said she was no one. Not worth even mentioning. Just a mistake he wished had never happened.”
Jenny blows out a sharp breath. “Harsh.”
“Yeah. I mean, she’s human too. Who knows what lies she was fed. Either way, it’s over. Enough about me. What’s your secret?” I chuckle, trying to ease the mood. “You know mine, now spill yours.”
She stares at me, her smile frozen in place. Then blinks. “Um. . . well, nothing as sucky as yours. A bad breakup brought me out here. Thought we were in love. He wasn’t. Had to start fresh, so I literally put my finger on a map, and I was going wherever it landed. Found a housesitting opportunity I couldn’t pass up, and bam, here I am.”
“I’m glad you are. Maybe we can work on healing each other.”
“I’d like that. How about we cheers to it?” She raises her coffee. I lean forward to grab mine and knock it over by accident.
“Oh, shoot.” I jump up, trying to catch the liquid as it drips off the table.
“Let me help.” Jenny stands and runs to the kitchen, returning with a towel. “Clumsy today. How about I go get you a fresh cup—”
“No, it’s okay. Honestly, I just need to lay down. A nap will set me straight.”
Jenny nods. “Cool. I’ll let you be. Call me if you want to hang out later.” I walk her out and stare at her back as she disappears into the house next door, wishing a nap would fix all my problems.
Chapter 16
Ben
“Kipley, please. We just want to play,” Hannah whines by the pool, a pouty-looking Makayla next to her. Whatever it is Hannah wants, Kip doesn’t want to give in. “I won’t tell Mom. One game. Please?”
“Han, you’re supposed to be inside. My friends and I are hangin’ out. Just go inside—”
“No. Just let us play one game. Then I promise, we’ll go inside and leave you alone.”
Makayla steps from foot to foot. I can tell she isn’t onboard with whatever Hannah is forcing Kip to agree to. “Fine, Han. One game, then you both have to go to bed.”
Hannah’s eyes light up, and she hugs Makayla. What the fuck are those two up to? Kip turns to us. “One game of ghosts in the graveyard, then these two pests are gone. The girls are gonna be over about nine, so let’s make this fast.”
“Seriously?” I complain.
“One game, then they leave us alone. You want them hanging around when the—”
“Hell no,” Chase chimes in. “Let’s get this over with. I have big plans with Heather Johnson tonight. . .”
“You two have five minutes to hide. Let’s go inside and get drinks,” Kip says as he heads to the back sliding glass door. The two girls take off. I laugh as they run, bump into one another, and sprint off in different directions. I forfeit the drink and wait, watching Makayla as she heads behind the shed. When the guys return, Kip yells out, “Ready or not!” and we all head in different directions. Lucky for me, no one goes toward the shed. This one’s mine.