Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 131209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
For Brooke.
<>B<>
Ysabelle walked into my condo looking disheveled, her dog, Chance, was driving me insane. She didn’t say much, and I didn’t ask, but I could tell that something was wrong. I didn’t want to pry myself into her business, unless she wanted to tell me. I let her be, as she leashed her dog and told me she was taking him to the dog park near my place.
I nodded, and held in my tongue for the questions I wanted to ask. She left. Sebastian’s name lit up my phone, maybe ten, fifteen minutes later. He asked me where she was, and I told him…
I never imagined what would happen next.
Ysabelle came barreling through my condo with Chance.
“Oh my God, what’s going on?” I asked, watching her frantically try to take off Chance’s leash.
“Sebastian! He’s on his way to Devon’s! I have to get over there.”
“What? Why is he going over there?” I questioned, confused.
She shook her head while standing. “Because I’m a fucking idiot! Can you please watch Chance?”
I nodded. “Of course.”
“Fuck… Brooke,” she breathed out, placing her hand on my kitchen counter for support, and finally looking at me. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know. I would never hurt you, I’m so fucking sorry. Please... I need you to know that I love you,” she urgently apologized.
“I know that, Bella,” I coaxed, trying to keep up with the chaos in front of me.
“Just remember that okay? I have to go.” She hugged me and ran out my door.
I spent the next hour pacing my condo with Chance at my heels. I was a nervous wreck, and I ended up passing out on my couch. The next morning, I took Chance for a long walk, hoping that when I got back Ysabelle would be there. She wasn’t.
Before I knew it, I was standing at his front door.
Devon.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
<>B<>
“Jesus Christ!” I yelled, when he opened the door, shocked by the black eye, busted lip, and bruises on his torso. “What the fuck happened?”
He took a deep breath, both of us caught off guard that I was there, but there was something else in his eyes that I couldn’t put my finger on. “Long night,” was all he said.
“Is Ysabelle here?” I nervously asked.
He shook his head no. “She just left.”
I lowered my eyebrows and pointed from his face to his body. “Is that Sebastian’s handy work?”
He nodded, remorseful.
Why wasn’t he talking?
And just like that… it clicked, all the blood drained from my face. I suddenly felt cold and detached like I was there, but I wasn’t. By the look on his face, he knew it too.
“I get it…” I whispered loud enough for him to hear. “Wow… that’s why she was apologizing to me, and that’s why you look like you’ve been in a boxing match. Wow…” I repeated, torn, confused, shocked, and hurt… really hurt.
“It’s not what you think,” he simply stated.
“It’s not?” I asked, cocking my head to the side.
He shook his head no, still not being able to find the words to say to me, but his composure and eyes did the talking for him.
He hated himself.
“Was this payback? Were you trying to get even with me? Leaving me wasn’t enough for you?”
He winced, and opened his mouth to say something, but I put my hand up, stopping him. I didn’t want to hear what he had to say.
It wouldn’t have changed anything.
It wouldn’t have made it better.
It was pointless to beat a dead horse… when it was lying in front of you, lifeless.
“No, don’t answer that. You don’t owe me any explanations,” I paused. “I guess we’re even,” I said not being able to stop myself.
“That’s not what it was about, Bambi.”
Hearing him call me that was the worst pain of all. It didn’t make me feel special; it made me feel sick. I placed my hand on my stomach to control the uneasiness of the situation we found ourselves in.
How the fuck did it come to this?
“Was she good? Was she better than me?” I blurted without thinking.
His eyes widened, he was shaken and stunned.
“Fuck…” I placed my hand on my forehead in distress. “I came looking for Bella, I knew she was coming here. I just never… I didn’t think… I don’t know what I thought,” I rambled and he stepped closer to me.
“Don’t,” I stated, backing away. “It’s fine. I’m fine. I’m sure everything will work itself out. I’m sorry to have bothered you.” I turned and left, trying to control my breathing, and the tears that were at bay. I could feel my composure shattering, and the last thing I wanted or needed was for him to see it. He had seen me fall apart enough for one lifetime.
“Bambi, don’t leave like this. Let me explain! It’s not what you think!” he pleadingly hollered. The pure desperation in the sound of his voice pissed me off. He wasn’t allowed to feel sorry for me.