Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71303 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71303 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Thoughts swirling like a cyclone in my head, I drive to Jessie’s school and join the line of cars. In the moments when I’m not being hard on myself, I rationalize that not having a sex life for so many years probably led to me making poor choices.
I knew Cam and Wyatt were all wrong for me, but I kissed them, and, well, everything spiraled from there. And I was starting to fall for them, too. Maybe I already have, but at least things haven’t gone too far.
I’ve had fun with them, but I need to put an abrupt stop to it, so I don’t get hurt.
Somehow, I didn’t realize they were players, and I feel so dumb. I wonder if those women who hang out in front of their house are there for more than just catching a glimpse of the men. Maybe Cam and Wyatt invite them in when Trish isn’t there to gatekeep.
I was probably just the convenient girl next door for them. Someone to have fun with when they’re not busy with other women.
My heart squeezes when I catch sight of Jessie waiting on the curb for her turn to be picked up. I hope I can somehow wise up in time to teach my daughter to make better choices when it comes to men.
CHAPTER 31
WYATT
“When did you get this beer?”
Cam pulls his head out of the cupboard to look my way. “What beer?”
“The six-pack of Sapporo.” When I lift the carton out of the refrigerator and hold it up to show him, he frowns and shrugs.
“I’ve never seen that before.”
“Would Trish put beer in here? She’s the only other person who’s been here,” I say.
“The videographer was here too, but I’m sure he didn’t bring it.”
“I’ll text Trish.”
Her response comes right away. “I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you. Your neighbor Stella dropped that off yesterday. Said it was a thank-you for a favor you did for her.”
It’s early, and Cam’s still groggy, but when I relay this message, it perks him up more than coffee ever could. “Stella was here?”
“I know. Must have been when we were filming yesterday.”
“Well, shit.”
We’ve texted her a few times, but we’ve been intentionally taking things slow. Assuming that more happened on our date than she may have originally intended, we haven’t wanted to scare her off. But if she’s bringing a gift over, maybe that’s a sign that she’s ready for more.
“We should go see her today,” Cam says.
“My thoughts exactly.”
An hour later, while we’re working on a new build out back, we hear Goldfish barking. Random dogs bark in the neighborhood all the time, but we happen to be especially attuned to the sound of Stella’s dog.
Our ears perk up, and a moment later, we hear the lovely woman herself calling for him to come back inside their house.
I rush over to the back fence faster than if I were shot out of the toy cannon I’m constructing. Cam’s right behind me, and both of us peer over into her yard, waving to get our gorgeous neighbor’s attention.
She doesn’t see us at first, then she gives a small wave from the back door.
She’s still focused on getting the dog to come to her, and it’s hard to tell from this distance, but it seems like something’s wrong.
“Everything okay?” I call out.
“Yeah, everything’s fine.” Her tone is stiff. Maybe Goldfish got into something? We’ve only been messing around with water lately. I hope we didn’t accidentally create a muddy spot in her yard.
“Do you have a minute to talk?” Cam asks.
She hesitates, then slides into her shoes and comes out, closing the door behind her.
“Okay if we come over?”
Instead of waiting for her to answer my question, Cam vaults over the fence, so I go after him.
Stella’s standing in the center of the lawn, arms wrapped around herself, covering most of the pale pink shirt she’s wearing. Her hair is piled up on her head, and her face looks so soft and fresh that I have an overwhelming urge to kiss her.
But first, I need to find out what’s wrong. I pull my eyes away from her and assess the yard. Nothing seems to be amiss. Goldfish is running around between Cam and me, wagging his tail.
“Everything okay?” I repeat.
“Everything’s fine.” She still doesn’t sound fine, and she’s not smiling, but maybe something’s going on that she doesn’t want to talk about.
“You look nice this morning. I like your hair like this.” Cam must be having the same urges I am, because he goes straight over to her, touches her hair, and slides an arm around her waist. He tries to hug her, but she pulls back.
“We shouldn’t do that,” she says.
Shit. There’s a wall up. And it’s higher than the fence we just cleared.
“Stella, what’s wrong? Did something happen?” I want to touch her so much my fingers ache, but I stay back.