Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 71396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
But after those two calls, I was able to focus a bit and work became a welcome distraction—CAD files and zoning regulations don’t require emotional energy, and I got lost in my job. I love what I do and I’m especially grateful that I can work remote.
But what really made my day was watching the practice session on TV. And to be honest, I watched Reid and that sent my heart racing for other reasons.
He was magnificent out there. Smooth. Aggressive when he needed to be, patient when it counted. My years of cheering on Reid and Lance as they progressed through their racing careers has made me a savvy spectator, and I know a good run when I see it. When the session ended, I found myself grinning like an idiot.
The shower shuts off and a few minutes later, Reid reemerges, his hair damp, a Matterhorn team tee stretched across his broad shoulders, loose joggers riding low on his hips.
He flops down onto the couch beside me with a groan, grabbing one of the throw pillows to hug to his chest.
“I’m glad today is over,” he mumbles.
I laugh. “You were great though.”
Reid cocks an eyebrow. “I fishtailed in gravel.”
“You recovered well. Very graceful fishtail. I’d call it a flourish.”
He chuckles and tosses the pillow aside, lacing his fingers across his tight abs. “Thanks for sugarcoating it.”
We fall into an easy silence for a moment, the kind that only comes with years of knowing each other.
Finally, he says, “I had a run-in with Lance today.”
My heart lurches and I sit up straight on the couch before angling to face him. “What happened?”
Reid leans back, resting his head on the cushion and staring at the ceiling. “He was just… there. Said he wanted to talk about you but then he started blaming you.”
I can’t help the whimper of distress that comes out of my mouth.
Reid’s head rolls my way, his eyes narrowed. “I shut that shit down. Told him don’t ever blame you and to stay the fuck away.”
“And he accepted that?” I ask hopefully.
“Not quite. He then turned it on me. Said I was pissed because he got you and I didn’t.”
“Oh,” I murmur but immediately dismiss that accusation. Reid doesn’t want me like that. “What happened next?”
“I almost punched him, but Carlos pulled me back.”
I settle into the cushion beside Reid. “At least we know he’s still in Melbourne,” I say.
“Yeah,” Reid mutters. “But I don’t think he’s going to walk away from you without trying to get you back.”
I nod, swallowing hard. “He texted me several times today. No threats. Just apologies. Promises to do better. To change.”
Reid’s gaze sharpens. “Are you entertaining any of it?”
The question isn’t accusatory. It’s careful. Protective.
I bark a bitter laugh. “No. God, no. He hit me and I’ll never give him another chance.” Reid studies me, silent, waiting for more. I push my hair off my forehead and exhale. “I stayed too long. I knew it. I regretted it for months. I was done with that relationship long before he smacked me. But our families are so close, and I didn’t know how to end it without hurting everyone.”
“You wouldn’t have hurt anyone,” Reid says gently. “Only Lance. Did he have any clue you were thinking of breaking it off?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think so. I mean… I just sort of fell in line and kept my mouth shut most of the time so he wouldn’t be provoked. I was trying to come up with a good exit plan, but I just couldn’t figure it out.”
“I don’t know how you did it,” he says and then nudges my shoulder. “I mean… you were playing a game. Acting to keep the peace until you could figure a way out.”
“It was hard, especially as he got more controlling and verbally abusive. And… we weren’t even intimate anymore. He didn’t seem to care, so that was a relief.”
Reid’s eyebrows lift slightly, and my cheeks flame hot that I just said that.
I give him a sheepish smile. “I’m sorry if that was too much information. I mean… especially since we…”
The words trail off. Reid and I had our chance but it didn’t work, and I should have never mentioned anything about such private moments between Lance and me.
“It’s okay,” he says, reaching over and taking my hand. “I’m a big boy and I know exactly what I lost when you started dating my brother.”
I know what I lost too, because try as I might to love Lance the way I did Reid at one time, it never reached that level of complete and total adoration. Nothing was as good… the affection, the talks, the sex. But I keep that to myself.
“I couldn’t stand it,” I say instead. “Finding out he was cheating almost felt like relief. Like I finally had an excuse strong enough to leave without the guilt.”