Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
“Yeah, eleven years ago!” I groan. “I haven’t seen him once since then! He didn’t groom me or any of that shit! He’s just being dumb!”
Angrily, I shove the car door open and march up the walkway to the door of Alyssa’s apartment. She follows quickly after me.
“I dunno, Nick,” she says, taking out her keys. “I think you oughta give the guy a break. Give him some time to think it over.”
“Think what over? Me?”
“Yeah,” she laughs as she lets us into her apartment. “You’re a hot chick now. Give him some time. I bet he comes around.”
6
Russell
Two weeks later…
I don’t think I’ve ever had to make a more difficult decision in my life. No, I’m sure of it. Every day for the last two weeks I’ve woken up, gone to school, taught my class, come home, and thought about getting in touch with Eric to get a message to Nikki. Not being able to be with her is just torturous. But at the same time, part of me still feels that giving in and going back to her would be the wrong thing to do.
She must hate me by now too for what I did. I’m the man who took her virginity, her innocence, and then in the same night completely blew it with her. I didn’t take her into my arms and cuddle her. I didn’t make her a nice warm tea or lie in bed with her and watch a movie and fall asleep with her. What did I do? I got caught up in my emotions like a fool and let us get wrapped up in a fight that ruined the night completely.
That is not what a man should let happen, especially on the night of a girl’s first time. I should have been more responsible, been there for her, no matter what I was feeling.
What’s even worse is I can’t stop thinking about the fact that she’s not with me. At least she’s not working at the mansion, though. With the money that I paid to her, I covered her father’s debts, which means she no longer has to go dance for those sons of bitches anymore. But I can’t even picture her swaying her hips in that room full of men without anger rising up within me.
Growling, I grab my keys and head for the car. If I can’t have Nikki tonight, a stiff drink ought to do.
A few minutes later, I’m down at Hillshine Pub ordering a whiskey ginger from the bartender. Eric doesn’t work here, and I’ve got none of the boys with me tonight. I just want some time alone with myself and my thoughts. Probably not the best idea, since as soon as I take my first sip, my mind is filled with images of Nikki and all the things she could be up to right now.
Surely she’s not out with another guy right now. I mean, it’s only been two weeks, and she just lost her virginity to me. Why would she be on a date with another guy? That just wouldn’t make any sense.
She could be back working at the mansion though. But again, why? I paid off her father’s debts, so why not go get another job where she doesn’t have to be around men she clearly doesn’t want to be around?
No. She’s not doing either of those things. She’s probably just hanging out with a friend doing whatever it is girls do when they hang out.
“You look miserable, Mr. Hartford.” A girl’s voice from behind me causes me to jump as I’m raising my glass to my lips. I know right away that it’s not Nikki and spin around on my stool to see another good-looking girl, not as good as Nikki but still pretty, standing behind me.
She has her arms crossed over her chest with her lips pursed and is looking at me with a somewhat amused and somewhat judgmental look on her face.
“Who are you?” I ask.
“Don’t recognize me?” the girl replies with a slight giggle. “I guess that shouldn’t surprise me. You don’t seem to recognize any of your old students.”
Without being asked, she takes a seat and focuses her eyes on me with much more intensity. I feel as though I’m being scrutinized, almost like this is my new boss debating on whether to hire me for a job I don’t even remember applying for.
After a long moment, when I’m just about to say something, she nods. “I can see why she likes you.”
“What? Who?”
She smirks. “Come on, Russ. Have you really had that many girls lining up for you in the last couple of weeks?”
I’m about to get offended, but then I realize who she’s talking about.
“Nikki. You’re Nikki’s friend.”
“Alyssa Henry.” She smiles, extending a hand. “Nice to re-meet you, Mr. Hartford.”