Read Online Reality Ever After by Cami Checketts - Free Book Online Page B

his direction and anger swelled at his expectant gaze. She wouldn’t allow him to kiss her. She wouldn’t betray Crew again. She jerked free from Josh and scurried away.
    “Don’t touch me. I love Crew.”
    She loved Crew so much, this guy meant nothing to her, and she had been able to choose differently than last time. Bless Granny, maybe this could work.
    At that enlightening moment the roar of a vehicle could be heard. A door popped open and then slammed. Size twelve hiking boots stormed in their direction.
    “Crew!” she cried out happily. He was here. She could tell him how much she loved him.
    He didn’t even look at her, but grabbed Josh’s arm and spun him around. A solid jab to the nose sent Josh reeling backward.
    “Stay away from my fiancé!”
    “Crew, no!” Sydney tugged on his arm. “What are you doing?”
    “What am I doing?” Crew screamed at her. “What are you doing? I would never have imagined you would cheat on me, but then you send me that stupid letter and I came here to find you, and you’re kissing him!”
    “I wasn’t kissing him.”
    “She wasn’t kissing me,” Josh interjected, holding his nose.
    “Shut up!” Crew yelled at Josh. “I don’t want to hear anything from you.”
    “I flirted with Sydney, but she didn’t do anything wrong,” Josh said.
    “You lying piece of trash!” Crew’s broad shoulders heaved.
    “This isn’t his fault,” Sydney interjected.
    “I don’t want to hear it from you either.” Crew flung at her, his eyes burning with incrimination. “How long have you been with him? I thought you just needed some time—” Crew’s voice broke.
    “Listen to me.” Josh placed a hand on Crew’s arm.
    Crew flung the hand off.
    Josh held up his hands. “I don’t want to fight you. Why don’t you grow up and listen for a minute?”
    Crew didn’t respond. He stood rigid, unbending.
    “I hit on Sydney,” Josh admitted. “She never returned my interest. Every time I made a move, she refused me. You don’t even realize how lucky you are. Goodbye, Sydney.” Josh walked away.
    “Bye,” she murmured, turning quickly to Crew. This wasn’t a perfect scenario, but it was better than last time when Crew had already left.
    Crew pulled her to him and captured her mouth with his own, kissing all cares away. He pulled back abruptly, looking into her eyes. His intense look frightened Sydney. He was angry. No angry wasn’t strong enough. He was furious.
    “You can’t really believe this?”
    “I...I...” Sydney stuttered. Believe what?
    “What kind of bull is this?” He jerked an envelope from his pocket. “How could you write this? You can’t believe any of it is true.”
    “ What are you talking about?”
    He pulled a short note from the envelope. The handwriting was close to her own.
    Dear Crew,
    I’m sorry, but we both need some time. Even though you don’t want to admit it, you asked me to marry you for the baby. You don’t need to fulfill that commitment now. My parents have convinced me to postpone the wedding at least a year. Please don’t ask me about it, it’s too hard. I know you love me too much to make me feel bad about this.
    Love,
    Sydney
    She crumpled the note in her hand. “My mother.”
    “Your mom wrote this?” He brushed a hand through his hair. “Oh, Syd. So you don’t think…”
    Sydney stared up into his handsome face, blurred by her tears. She loved him so much.
    “No, but do you…” She shook her head. “Maybe you’d be better off without me. Without all this drama.” Sydney prayed he’d tell her how wrong she was.
    “What have I ever done to make you think I didn’t want you?”
    “You didn’t do anything, but if you were only marrying me for the baby…” She scrubbed at the wetness on her face with her palm.
    “How many times am I going to have to tell you that I want to marry you because I love you ?”
    “Maybe a hundred more.” Sydney swallowed.
    Crew’s features softened. He wiped a tear from