Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 102834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
“Sure,” Milly replied, a faint flush staining her cheeks.
For the next two months, that was how it went. Most days after school, I’d pick Milly up in my car, we’d spend a couple minutes chatting, and then I’d drop her off at her house. The best days were when she had to run some errand or other for her parents, and I got to drive her wherever she needed to go, prolonging our time together. We developed a comfort with one another, but oddly, every time I invited her to spend time with me outside of the daily drives, she had some excuse as to why she couldn’t go. Whether she had a big test to study for, a chore to do at home or babysitting her kid sisters, there was always something.
Then, devastatingly, the school year ended, and I no longer had cause to run into her. I’d texted and invited her to several parties and hangouts at the beach, but like always, Milly was busy. I’d almost given up hope and decided I needed to face the facts; the girl just wasn’t interested in me. At the very worst, she might’ve been using me for the convenient car rides and nothing more. There was a line of others who would jump at the chance to go out with me, but I didn’t want them.
I wanted Milly.
She’d wheedled her way under my skin with her shy smiles, quiet intelligence and stunning blue eyes that I often found myself getting lost in. No other girl could compare. I mean, it wasn’t simply that she was pretty. There were lots of pretty girls in town. There was just something about Milly’s energy and presence that I craved. Being around her felt right somehow. It was like we instinctively understood each other without really needing to try. Perhaps it was because we were both the eldest in our families, and we both felt a similar responsibility to set a good example for our younger siblings.
Ever since I could remember I’d had this need to protect Nuala and Tristan, to look out for them and make sure they were safe. I could tell Milly felt the same about her sisters, Jane and Donna.
It was a couple weeks into summer when my friend Aidan announced he was having a big party at his house to celebrate his birthday. Aidan’s parties could get a little wild, but I decided this would be my last try with Milly. I’d invite her to the party, and if she said no, then that would be it. I’d leave her alone for good.
But then the unexpected happened, and only a couple minutes after I texted her, I received a reply.
Milly: Okay, that sounds like fun. What time should I meet you there?
My heart raced. I couldn’t believe it. It took immense effort not to go overboard with my response as I forced myself to remain cool.
Derek: I can pick you up at your house around eight?
Milly: Great, see you then :-)
I hopped in the shower immediately, and when I got out, my best friend, Rhys, was in my room playing on the game console. He was staying with us for a couple weeks over the summer. My dad had been the one to offer for him to stay, and the official story was that his house was undergoing renovations; however, I had a feeling the real reason was that there was something going on with his parents. Rhys’ father was a bit of a dickhead and could be very domineering with him, kicking him out of the house for the most minor offense.
“Hey,” I said, heading for my closet to find something to wear.
“Hey,” Rhys echoed, his attention fixed on the screen.
I selected my best black shirt and dark navy jeans. Rhys arched an eyebrow when he saw me set them down on the bed.
“Getting dressed up for the party?”
I lifted my chin. “Milly’s coming.”
Rhys chuckled low. “Ah, that explains it.” He was one of the few people I’d confided in about my crush on Milly, so he knew her coming to the party was a big deal.
“You’re one to talk. You can barely keep your eyes off Charli whenever the two of you are in the same room.”
My cousin from America, Charli, had come to stay with us for the summer. From the moment Rhys had laid eyes on her, I could tell he was smitten. I had a feeling Charli might like him back, but I was worried that once she headed home at the end of the summer, she’d leave Rhys heartbroken. He was my best friend, but he’d never been with a girl before. He also had a soft, open heart, and I didn’t want him to get hurt. Hell, maybe I should be heeding my own advice because how I felt for Milly was unlike how I’d felt for any girl. I wasn’t inexperienced like Rhys, but I felt just as in danger of getting my heart broken, especially considering how amped up I was to bring her to the party tonight.