Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Oh well. It was nice while it lasted.
“That’s amazing, Ari. Not the drinking problem, of course.” She slaps a hand to her head. “Sorry. That came out sounding wrong. I meant, you being sober. That’s a big deal. You should be really proud of yourself.”
Warmth glows in my chest. The only other person who’s said that to me is Luke.
“I am.” I smile.
I don’t look at Ares, but I can practically feel him burning holes into my head with his fire eyes.
“Have you celebrated the milestone?” she asks me.
“Um…no. Well, Luke, my sponsor, brought in a cupcake for me when I received my six-month chip, so there was that.”
“Okay, so we’re totally doing something. Oh, I know! We should go to the movies. Have you seen The Greatest Showman?”
I shake my head.
“Me either, but I’ve heard it’s amazing.”
“Honestly, you don’t have to change your plans on my account.”
“She’s right. Listen to her,” Ares says low.
Missy gives him a dirty look. “It’s just a club. It’s not going anywhere. You can use the tickets anytime, right?”
He folds his arms. “It’s not the point.”
“It’s totally the point. But, if it bothers you so much, you still go. Ari and I will go to the movies together.”
His eyes flash to me, a look of distrust in them. Then, he heaves out a sigh. “Fine. We’ll go to the movies.”
He doesn’t trust me with his sister.
That cuts me to the core.
What does he think I’m going to do? Turn her into an alcoholic?
“Really, it’s fine,” I say quietly. “You should totally go to the club.”
“I’m not really in the mood to go clubbing tonight anyway. A date with Zac Efron sounds so much more appealing.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Ares grumbles.
“And I’m guessing you don’t already have plans,” she says to me, ignoring Ares. “Otherwise, you would have said so by now.”
“I don’t have plans,” I admit.
She grins. “Then, it’s settled.” She claps her hands together. “We’re going to the movies.”
I’m standing outside the movie theater where I arranged to meet Missy and, unfortunately, Mr. Perfect at seven thirty. My hair is down and wavy. I’m wearing a little makeup, my black skinny jeans with ripped knees, a gray sweater, my leather jacket, and my pink Dr. Martens. I have my bag slung over my shoulder, containing all the usual stuff, plus an umbrella because my luck with rain recently has not been good.
I’m stupidly excited for this evening. I spent way too much time getting ready for a night at the cinema. But, when you get out as little as I do, you have to make the most of it.
I got here a bit early, so I’ve been waiting a while. But they are a little late. I check the time on my phone again. Seven forty.
The movie starts at seven forty-five; that’s why we agreed to meet at seven thirty. Give us time to get tickets and food.
A sinking feeling of being stood up starts to take root.
Maybe Ares told Missy what I did. The drunk-driving, crashing my ex’s car into that wall. I wouldn’t be surprised if he did tell her. It’s no secret that he hates me, and I got the distinct impression he doesn’t want me spending time with his sister.
Maybe he told her all the bad things about me, and she changed her mind about coming. I wouldn’t blame her.
No. She’s a good person. She wouldn’t do that—stand me up like this. Ares would. But not Missy.
And she’s only ten minutes late, for goodness’ sake. Chill out, Ari.
A gust of wind blows past, kicking up my hair. I wrap my arms around my chest and shift on my feet, trying to ward off the chill.
“Jailbird.”
I turn at the sound of Ares’s voice saying my name. Christ, not my name! The jerk even has me responding to it now.
“Please don’t call me that.” I frown at him, not even able to feel relief that he’s here and I haven’t been stood up, like I feared.
He doesn’t say anything, just stands there in front of me like a big tree.
I glance past him. “Where’s Missy?”
“She’s not coming. She had me come tell you that she’s sorry, but her best friend’s having a baby, and she went into early labor a few hours ago. She tried to call you on your work phone, but it went straight to voice mail.”
“Oh…” Disappointment swells inside me. “My dad told me to turn it off when I’m not working, so I don’t get calls from any of the players at stupid times of the day.”
“Well, whatever. She left you a voice mail, explaining.”
“Oh. Okay. Well, thank you for coming to tell me. I know you probably didn’t want to. But I appreciate it all the same.”
He’s staring down at me, arms folded over his chest.
“Well”—I step back away from him—“bye then.”