Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 86199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“Yup.” I don’t mention the familiar floral scent tinging the air in my room. I can’t be certain, but it smelled like the same one that clung to the blonde from Saturday night.
Unfortunately, as soon as I’d caught a whiff, it sent my senses into overdrive and my cock had stiffened right up.
And since I didn’t want to sport a hard-on for the rest of the evening, I’d gotten myself off in record speed.
This is definitely getting out of hand.
Pun intended.
I stare out the passenger side window and watch the landscape roll by as we head home for dinner with my parents.
I really need to move on from this girl. Scenting her perfume in my space and catching glimpses of her all over campus is really starting to fuck with my head. My fingers brush over the necklace that hangs around my neck. I’d thought I lost it the other day and panicked, tearing my room apart.
Turns out I’d left it in the bathroom before hitting the shower.
It’s only after I fastened it around my neck that everything settled within me.
Juliette twists toward the back seat. “Have you talked with Mom lately?”
My eyes slice from the landscape to my sister. Her brow is furrowed. “A couple days ago, why?” I hate the suspicious tone that enters my voice.
It’s like I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop.
It’s exhausting.
“She went for a checkup yesterday.”
Her words are like a gut punch.
“No, she never mentioned it,” I mumble, fingers drifting to the necklace before tightening around the silver W pendant that hangs from it. For some odd reason, it makes the tension attempting to flood my system dissipate. Maybe not completely, but enough to stop my brain from spiraling with fear.
“I’m sure she’ll mention it at dinner.”
I can’t help but notice the way Ryder wraps his hand around my sister’s fingers before giving them a gentle squeeze. She glances at him, and some of the concern marring her expression melts away.
It only makes me feel lonelier.
Isolated.
With an irritated huff, I close my eyes and allow my head to fall back against the seat. I just want to forget about the crap that’s been swirling around inside my brain like a chaotic storm.
The constant concern I have that Mom is one step away from a relapse.
If that happens, it’s doubtful we’ll come out of another battle unscathed.
Then there’s my changing relationship with Ryder.
And my English grade that’s now in the shitter, jeopardizing whether I get ice time, which in turn could affect my future.
Last but not least, there’s the elusive girl who continues to haunt my thoughts like a specter.
The very same one who belongs to River fucking Thompson.
17
Willow
“Good job, Eric. I think you’re really starting to understand the concepts. Same time next week?”
“Thanks. But that’s only because you’re amazing at analyzing text and explaining it in a way that makes sense. Dr. Moore could take a few pointers from you.”
Heat floods my cheeks as I tuck an errant lock of hair behind my ear. “Yeah…you probably shouldn’t tell him that. I doubt it would end well for either of us.”
With a snort, he flashes a grin. “It can be our little secret.” With his books held tightly against his chest, he sidles closer. “Um, I was wondering—”
Stacie pokes her head into the room where we’ve been working. “Hey, Willow. Are you busy?”
Eric shoots her a frown.
“Nope. We were just finishing up. Right, Eric?”
His shoulders sink. “Yeah. We’re done here.” He takes a step toward Stacie, one of the other students who works at the tutoring center, before shooting me another look. “See you next week, Willow.”
I lift my hand in a wave. “Bye.”
Stacie smirks as he slides past. We both wait a beat or two until the outside door closes with a resounding thud.
“One of these days, you’re going to have to rip the Band-Aid off and admit that you’re not interested.”
A sigh escapes from me as I massage my temples. “I know.”
“It’s been a month and he still hasn’t lost interest. And didn’t he show up to your session last week with your favorite iced coffee?”
“Yeah. The weird thing is that I don’t even remember mentioning how much I love iced mochas.” The edges of my lips wilt. “It would be so much easier if he found someone else. That’s going to be such an awkward convo.”
A chuckle escapes from her. “Boo hoo. Let me get out my tiny violin. Someone has a crush on Willow.”
More heat rushes to my cheeks as I clear my throat, only wanting to change the subject. “Did you need me for something, or were you just trying to help me out?”
“Both.” She flashes a grin. “Aren’t I a good friend? One you wouldn’t mind doing a favor for?”
Uh-oh.
With raised brows, I wait expectantly.
She glances at the pink sports watch wrapped around her left wrist. “I’m supposed to meet a student at the library and didn’t realize I double booked myself. Any chance you can fill in?”