Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
“His other properties were being hit. He freaked out and asked me to leave, thinking this competitor would come after me. I thought it was far-fetched, but now—” I stop.
My heart knots as I come face-to-face again with the incredibly stupid reason why I lost the best man who ever happened to me.
“That what you’re fighting over?” Dad asks with a snort.
I nod.
“Ah, you young folks and your pride. Give me a couple hours and I’ll see what I can do,” he promises.
“Thanks, Dad!” I stand and start for my room.
“Hey, where are you going?” he calls.
“To call Brock.”
Dad jumps up so fast I look back.
“What are you doing?”
“Going down to the docks. It’s about time I see some old friends and if I’m gonna be your mole, it’s better face-to-face.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I ask quietly.
“Babe, I’m not a sick man anymore. Quit your worrying.”
“I know you aren’t sick, but that’s a lot of walking. I was kind of hoping you’d take it easy for a few more weeks. You haven’t even had your physical therapy follow-up yet...”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Could you take Maisy with?”
“Nope. She’s out with Trina at a movie and won’t be back for a little while. I don’t need no babysitter.”
“If you wait, I’ll come,” I offer. “I just need to call him quick.”
He chuckles. “I promise you it won’t be a quick call. Anyhow, I’ll drive down there if it makes you feel better. Won’t do the walking till I have to.”
Oof.
Honestly, it’s better than the long walk, but not ideal. If he has a surprise muscle spasm behind the wheel that might not end well. I start to say as much, but he stops me.
“Piper girl, listen. You’ve taken care of me for ages. Hell of a role reversal when I’m your old man, but you had to, and you went above and beyond. I’ll always appreciate that. But I’m okay now thanks to you.”
I shake my head. “I didn’t do much.”
Dad flashes a knowing grin.
“Sweetheart, your billionaire boy did it for you, not me. That was all you.”
“Brock did the heavy lifting,” I admit. “I can’t take much credit.”
“What you can take the credit for is being the kind of girl who makes a man willing to take on a whole family mess.”
Oh, that hurts.
But I’m not that girl, am I?
I’m the bitch who made him speak to me by penguin.
And isn’t that what this is all about?
Yes, I’m the kind of girl he sleeps with and dresses up real pretty. But not the kind of woman he can ever respect enough to say “I love you” and let me make my own decisions.
I slip inside my room and shut the door.
I have to keep moving before I let these feelings weigh me down.
It takes a few minutes to work up the nerve to reach for the phone.
He usually answers his work number the fastest, but this time it goes straight to voicemail.
What the hell? Brock never turns off his work phone.
I call his personal cell next, but it’s offline too.
Woof.
I can’t believe I’m about to do this. I scroll through the phone and find a number only Fyo, his grandparents, and I have. I call Brock Winthrope’s landline at home that’s mostly used by his staff for housekeeping and deliveries.
Voicemail again.
I’m shocked that I don’t feel relieved when I don’t have to speak to him.
His recorded voice alone leaves goosebumps.
When I pull my phone back, my fingers tremble. I try one more time, wait for the voicemail beep, and then say, “Brock, it’s Piper. I have a few ideas about how to help your situation. Contact me when you can. Thanks.”
Then I collapse on my bed, trying not to bleed out my nerves.
I stare at my phone between naps, wondering if he’ll call back. When he doesn’t, I go to Maisy’s room. She must be home, judging by the soft sound of her singing to herself.
“I did something stupid.”
“What else is new?” She laughs.
“Mais, I’m being serious.”
She drops her phone on the bed beside her. “What now?”
“I called Brock.”
“Finally! Um, why is that stupid again?”
I glare at her. “Because we—you know we’re not a thing anymore.”
Maisy rolls over and laughs harder, wiping her face before she says, “Come on! You know he’d like to be ‘a thing’ again with so many special deliveries. I don’t get why you’re freaking out.”
“He hasn’t come by for a few days, right?”
“His ego can only take so much and he needed a break. Didn’t seem like you were budging and I don’t know how he’ll ever top that penguin.”
“I’m not. I just called because of the food poisoning. He saved Dad’s life and I’m obligated to help—if I can,” I rush out.
She laughs harder. “Wait. So, why are you upset that he hasn’t been around if you’re still ghosting him?”