Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Aiden is my past, and my future is without him.
I keep my head ducked as I walk through the lobby, slipping out the sliding doors and past security. Turning right, I head toward the east parking lot, my thoughts still vacillating between Aiden and kittens. My hand jams down into my purse, roots around, and comes up with my keys. My head lifts as I near my car and I come to a dead halt as I see Reed leaning back against the hood. There’s a paper bag on the asphalt at his feet.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I ask, and I know the irritation in my voice is because I’m angry over Kevin bringing up Aiden, which has in turn brought me down.
Reed isn’t fazed and gives me a cocky grin. Bending down, he reaches into the bag and pulls out a six-pack of beer and a box, which he shakes. “Got beer and a new puzzle. You and me, girl…it’s on tonight.”
I look around the parking lot, then back to Reed as I start walking toward him. “Where’s your Tahoe?”
“Had Marek drop me off,” he says as he puts the beer and puzzle back in the bag. “We swung by the store first so I could stock up on essentials. You’re about an hour past quitting time, which is par for the course, so I knew I’d be in for a little bit of a wait.”
I come to a stop before him, looking up with a slight grin over his assumption I’d be free to drink and work on a puzzle tonight. “I could have had plans tonight, you know. Then what would you have done?”
“I’d have Ubered my way home,” he says with a careless shrug, but then I get warmed down to my toes when he adds, “Been thoroughly disappointed, but I’d have survived.”
Reed had been out of town this past weekend. He went to the beach with Marek and Holt for a little sun and relaxation, or as I assume to mean, chasing after hot women in bikinis.
Admittedly, that sort of stuck in my craw a little. Not that it should bother me, because Reed is nothing but a friend.
A friend who for the last two days has texted me constantly while he was away. Funny texts, stupid texts, one butt dial that resulted in an hour-long conversation, and even a late-night text that simply said, Wish you were here. We’re having a blast.
That sort of made me think that he really meant it, but surely just as a friend. Because…we’re friends. Nothing more.
“Give me your keys, Doc,” Reed says as he holds his hand out. “You look exhausted.”
I don’t even think about it, but toss them to him. He catches them easily and then surprises me by stepping past me to the passenger door. He opens it for me and I get in, feeling both awkward and charmed at the same time.
I shamelessly gawk at Reed as he crosses back in front my vehicle. He’s tanned and glowing from a few days at the ocean and walks with the assured grace of someone who is completely confident with not one worry in the world. That’s just one of the things that makes him so damn attractive.
Reed has to adjust the driver’s seat backward before he can slide in, but once he gets settled, he turns to look at me. “I do believe I missed you, Doc.”
I just blink at him, because his tone is light, but his eyes are locked on mine as if he’s trying to convey some type of deep message.
“Overload of Beach Barbies?” I tease, more as a defense mechanism than anything.
He shakes his head. “Not a single one to be had. Well, not by me at least. Marek and Holt weren’t so discerning, though.”
I snort, because as much of a playboy as I know Reed to be, I know Marek and Holt are even worse than he is. We’ve all hung out a time or two, so I’ve observed it. I’ve also had Reed entertain me with stories of their past exploits while we labored over puzzles or lounged by the pool on my days off.
“You up for beer and puzzle or just want a good night’s sleep?” he asks as he starts my car.
“Beer and puzzle,” I tell him without thought.
Because the truth is, I missed him too.
And for the rest of the night and into the next few weeks, Aiden doesn’t cross my mind again.
Chapter 7
Reed
I slow the speed on the treadmill, taking me down from a brisk run to a slow walk so I can cool down. I’m not much of a runner, but I try. Five miles under my belt and I’m ready to hit the weights.
Normally I like to run outside, but mid-July in North Carolina is too brutally hot and humid. So my workouts take place either at the gym at my town home complex or here at the arena. I actually prefer to work out at the arena because not only is the equipment better, but I have an abundance of teammates to work out with.