Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
“He was trying to help, Sierra,” Tristan said. “We all were.”
Carter ignored him. “This was on me, and I’m sorry.”
I continued backing away, nearly tripping over the doorstop in front of my room. Then I went inside and closed the door.
The next morning, I was up early. I took a shower before the guys even got up. Drew awoke when Zeus barked and rushed to the door.
I stood in the doorway to my room as Tristan and Carter made their way downstairs. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?” Tristan said when he spotted me.
“I’m better,” I said neutrally. By all objective measures I was. I was clean, dressed, and better hydrated. My voice was no longer a rasp.
And then three heads turned. “What’s that noise,” Drew asked. He peered out the living room window.
“It sounds like…” Carter moved to the other window. “Holy shit, it’s Winston. I can’t believe he got through.”
“But why’s he here?” Tristan wondered out loud. “We didn’t order any groceries. We didn’t know we could.”
“He’s here for me.” I stepped out of the room with my suitcase and a small bag.
All three of them gaped at me. “What?” Drew said, his voice shocked.
“I’ve got to go back home. Do some damage control with my agent.”
“Sweetheart, you can’t leave,” Tristan implored. “With all that’s going on, isn’t out here with us the best place for you to be?”
“It’s my job. I have to go salvage what’s left of my career.”
The engine of Winston’s ATV got louder and louder until it sputtered to a stop outside the cabin. Then the silence grew.
“This is because we watched the video,” Carter said flatly.
The ache in my stomach intensified, but I didn’t let it show on my face. “Of course not. As you said, it wasn’t even me.”
My delivery was strong enough that they seemed to at least consider that I meant what I said.
Then there was a banging knock at the back door, and I went to open it. Zeus, oblivious to the tension in the room, rushed over, excited to finally have a visitor.
“Morning, girlie,” Winston said, his beard as unruly as ever. “Got your things?”
Most of my things were crushed under the other cabin, but I just nodded.
“Wait,” Drew said, jogging toward me. “Take my coat. You’re going to need it out there.”
I looked away but shook my head. “I’ll be okay. I’ve got a lot of layers on.” That was definitely true. Pretty much everything I’d worn this past week was on my body except for the evening gown.
I moved to the door. The three men in the living room looked unhappy but resigned.
“Good luck with Sustainability First,” I said.
Then I left.
27
CARTER
The March air nearly felt like summer as I stepped out of my townhome. It felt amazing after all that time we’d spent in the frigid cold. Drew parked on the street and then jogged up the stairs. He was over here so often that I half thought about inviting him to move in. I had plenty of space in my place, and Tristan was already staying here. It made it easier to work day and night finalizing the plans for our company.
However, it was a bad thing in one way. It was harder not to think about her when we were all together.
“I brought food,” Drew said, holding up a bag.
I knew there was a reason I liked the lad.
Tristan was on the back balcony, also enjoying the sun. He had a sketch pad in front of him and was doodling logos again. He always did that when he was frustrated about something.
Drew unladed the food—takeout from a local India restaurant—while I got plates, silverware, and drinks.
We ate in silence, mostly, enjoying the food, the sun, and the fresh air. But then finally, Tristan got us started.
“Anyone want any more naan?”
Drew and I shook our heads.
“All right then. First order of business… has anyone heard from her?”
The food in my stomach shifted painfully, and Drew looked away.
“I thought we weren’t supposed to start with that anymore?” I pointed out.
“Just checking,” Tristan said. “They’re keeping her under wraps for the press tour. She hasn’t made many appearances.”
“If she’s even on it.”
“She is,” Drew said. “if you look hard enough, you can find evidence online. Pictures of her in the background of the hotel behind Aiden or whatever.”
Right. Because everyone knew that what you saw on the internet couldn’t possibly be fake.
“I miss her,” Tristan said after a while. That wasn’t much of a newsflash.
“What’s next on the agenda? Or maybe I should say, what’s actually on the agenda.”
“The contact with the Hopkins brothers. They’re still holding out on the—”
“Why are we even doing this?” Drew said angrily.
“Because we’re starting a business,” Tristan replied.
“But we’re all distracted. We’re all miserable. We should focus on what really matters.”
I couldn’t argue with his first two statements.