Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 86052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“I’m calling the cops after this to make a statement,” I explain. “I’ll report the truck stolen. I’ll probably have to call the insurance company too.”
“No, the truck’s in my name. I’ll have to do that,” he mutters, the irritation loud and clear in his tone. “I’ll get the bank to send you out some new cards. You’ll need new identification as well,” he reminds me.
“I’m on it, Dad,” I tell him.
“Right. Well, I’ll speak with you soon,” he says before promptly hanging up and not bothering to check in on my wellbeing, even after I just told him I’d been mugged. I mean, shit. Is it really that hard to ask how the fuck I’m doing? Hell, considering this could potentially fuck up hockey for me, one would think he’d be all over it.
Putting the phone down beside me, I take the painkillers that Charli has set out on the coffee table and quickly swallow them, not bothering with water. “That sounded like fun,” she comments, pointing toward the phone on the couch.
“Oh, yeah. It was the time of my life,” I scoff, watching as she yawns. “Why don’t you go to bed,” I suggest as I reach out and give her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’ll be a while on the phone with the cops and then I need to take a shower.”
“No,” she says, shaking her head. “I’m right where I need to be.”
“Okay,” I murmur. She’s not the only one who can see a losing battle. I lean back on the couch and draw Charli into me, internalizing the pain so she won’t worry about me.
Half an hour later, I already called the cops and spoke to Officer Samuels, who took my statement and reported my truck stolen. Unlike my dad, I told her exactly what happened and why. She mentioned that as it was near an ATM, there may be CCTV footage to help nail a charge. Wanting to give her as much information as possible, Charli took the phone and was able to help with their identities from my descriptions. Despite that, Officer Samuels said she would need to compare it to the footage to make a positive ID.
Following that, I call my own bank and make sure they cancel my bank card that holds my whole future. I’m so fucking grateful that I deposited that cash before they jumped me.
Not having the energy for more calls, I place Micky’s phone down on the couch. Seeing that I’m finished, Charli helps me to my feet. She maneuvers me into the bathroom and strips me of my bloodied clothes before stepping out of her sleep shorts and peeling her cropped tank over her head.
Seeing her so confident in front of me has me reaching out to touch her, unable to help myself. “Don’t even think about it,” she scolds, pushing my hand away. “Not until you’re better.”
“You’ve got to be kidding,” I groan as I watch her lean into the shower and turn the taps, putting that perfect ass of hers on display. My cock twitches to life, but it also fights with the exhaustion from the day.
“Not kidding, Xander,” she says. “Now get your ass in the shower so I can take you to bed.”
Goddamn. I’m more than just falling for this woman.
Chapter 12
CHARLI
There’s nothing more satisfying than playing nurse to Xander Phillips.
When Micky came pounding at my door last night, I’d been all snuggled up in my bed, fast asleep. He had gotten only halfway through his explanation before I bolted down the stairs, desperate to check on Xander.
His shirt was off, and I noticed the cuts and bruising to his chest first, then of course, the devastating bruising across his ribs. I don’t doubt there’s a broken bone in there somewhere, but Xander is a stubborn asshat and refuses to get checked out, saying he’s had more than enough broken ribs to know how to care for them.
My eyes traveled up to his face and took in the lump on the side of his temple, and it was clear someone had done a number on him.
Seeing him like that took me by surprise. After seeing him fight all those weeks ago, I’ve seen Xander as invincible. Untouchable. No one could take him down. Until I learned he was up against four of them and a baseball bat. I mean, he’s incredible, but he’s still human.
Anger tore through me. Without even hearing the explanation, I knew what had happened. I was so stupid to assume it was over. I can’t help but feel this is all my fault. If I hadn’t flushed the pills, they wouldn’t have come after me. I could have just left and that would have been it. I never would have seen them again. Or maybe if I’d just stayed there and never met Xander in the first place, he’d be safe and sound in his own bed, pain free. But instead, I brought this down on him.