Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
SKYLA
I t’s only been two days since I said goodbye to Beckett and his amazing farm, but it feels like it’s been weeks.
I miss him.
“And isn’t that ridiculous?” I ask the dog, who lifts his head from his bed and tilts it to the side. “It’s only been two days, and I’ve had plenty to keep me busy, haven’t I?”
In fact, right now, I’m alone in my studio after two back-to-back modern dance classes that went so well. I haven’t even advertised them yet. I simply mentioned them to a few of the mums after rehearsal, and they jumped on it. We laughed and moved and enjoyed the music, and I think these classes will be a highlight of my week.
“I have plenty to occupy my time, and I don’t have to be with a certain dirty farmer every minute of the bleeding day.”
I jump when my phone pings with an incoming text.
Beckett: I can’t stop thinking about you.
I sag in relief. Thank the gods that I’m not the only one feeling this way.
Me: What are you doing right now?
Beckett: Does that mean you’re not thinking about me?
Me: Of course, I’m thinking about you. You’re texting me.
Beckett: *pouty emoji*
Me: If you must know, I miss you, too. I was just telling Riley about it, actually.
Beckett: You’re talking about me?
Laughing, I walk to my water dispenser and fill my bottle as another text comes in.
Beckett: *photo of chickens* I was just collecting the eggs from the girls.
Me: And how many did you get?
Beckett: About a dozen. How is your day going, Irish?
My skin tingles every time he calls me that.
Me: It’s been a good day. New dance classes with the mums! Hard workouts but fun.
Beckett: Good. I have to go deal with a sick cow, but I’ll talk to you later.
Me: *kissy face emoji*
* * *
Me: What are you doing right now?
It’s Wednesday night. I’ve just finished putting the dishes away after dinner, and I’m curled up on the couch with Riley by my side, ready to read more Dom, but I’m missing Beckett. He replies faster than I expected.
Beckett: *photo of himself, no shirt, with a paperback copy of Dom open and lying on his stomach*
I drop my phone with a gasp.
“Holy fecking hell.”
Me: Did you seriously just send me a thirst trap photo?
Beckett: What’s a thirst trap photo?
Me: Exactly what you just sent me! Jesus, warn a girl, Beck.
Beckett: So you’re saying that you like my…book?
He’s funny. With a laugh, I settle deeper into the couch.
Me: Yeah, I like your…book. You bought it?
Beckett: Yes, from Bee. Are you still reading it?
Me: Of course. What part are you on?
I take a drink of sparkling water as the bubbles bounce on my screen.
Beckett: They’re married and at his penthouse. And it’s the following morning, and she just woke up.
He’s not too far behind me.
Me: Poor Val. He tricked her!
Beckett: Yeah, kind of an asshole move.
I smirk and sip more water.
Me: Would you ever tattoo your name on someone while they’re out cold because you drugged them?
Beckett: I’m intense, but I’m not THAT intense, Irish.
Me: THANK FUCK! Talk about red flags. I do like your level of intensity, though.
Beckett: I’m relieved to hear that. I’ll show you more intensity as soon as possible.
Me: Okay, you go read, and I will, too.
Beckett: Good night, beautiful.
Me: Good night.
* * *
“Well, don’t you look … happy.” Bee smirks at me and bites her lip, and I can feel my cheeks darken.
“Why wouldn’t I be happy, then?”
“Oh, I’m sure you’re thrilled, friend. Beckett looked pleased with himself when I saw him, too.”
“You saw him? Oh right, when he bought the book.”
Bee pauses, then lets out a laugh. “Yeah, when he bought the spicy romance book that my friend recommended to him.”
“We’re both reading it.” I shrug as if it’s no big deal, but it’s a big fecking deal. My phone pings in my pocket, and I pull it out immediately and read the text from Beckett.
Beckett: Tell me something good.
I grin. Dom sends the same text to Val in the book.
Me: I’m hanging out with your sister right now.
“Come here,” I say to Bee as I open my camera. “Selfie time.”
She wraps her arm around my shoulders, we tip our heads together, and I snap the photo.
“I’m sending this to Beck.”
She’s quiet as I type the message.
Me: *sends selfie* She says hi!
When I glance up, Bee’s staring at me.
“What?”
“So you guys are definitely a thing now, huh?”
Nibbling my lip, I fiddle with the stickers she’s organizing on the counter. “Yes. As far as I’m concerned, we definitely are a thing. I spent last weekend with him.”
Her eyebrows climb as another text comes in.
Beckett: You’re so fucking beautiful, Irish.
I show her the message, and she smiles.
“Okay, that’s swoony.”
“I know.”
“You know, my brother doesn’t invite girls to the farm. Ever.”
“Ever?”
“No. Well, he did once, and that turned into a disaster, so he’s always avoided it. The fact that he took you there means it’s serious for him, too.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “And he’s reading spicy books for you.”
“He read to me last weekend.”
“Now, I hate you.”
* * *
Beckett: I’m sorry we can’t spend the weekend together, baby.
I sigh and set my Kindle aside. It’s Friday night, one week since I first went with Beck to his place. I haven’t seen him all week, and I know he’s had a rough time of it with work.
Me: I don’t expect an invitation every weekend.
Beckett: You should. I think I’ve turned the corner with this sick cow. It’s been rough for her.
Me: I’m sorry. What do you do while you sit with her?
Beckett: I read. Text you. Do paperwork. The part when Dom punched his way through that guy’s chest…
Me: Stop! I’m not that far yet! You read ahead of me.
Beckett: Oops. Better catch up, Irish.
Suddenly, the phone rings, but it’s not Beckett. It’s my mother.
“Hello?”
“Hullo, darlin’,” she says. “And what are you about this evening?”
“Wait. It’s the middle of the night for you. What are you about? Is Da all right?”
“He’s fine, and he’s snoring in his bed. I couldn’t sleep,” she admits with a soft sigh. “Are you ready for the benefit dinner in LA next week?”
Scowling, I pick at a string on my leggings. “I’m not going to a benefit dinner.”
“Aye, you are. Your father emailed you about it a month ago.”
“Ma, I can’t just leave. I have a business.”
“It’s only for two days, Skyla. You need to go. Now that you’re not dancing, you can have a bigger presence regarding the charities we’re involved in—especially this one. Dreams for Kids was your idea in the first place, so you should be there. We’ll be raising a lot of money.”
“When next week?” I close my eyes, resigned to having to leave for this. “And can I take Riley?”
“We’ll be in the private jet, so of course you can. It’s next Friday night. We’ll pick you up Friday morning and take you home on Saturday. Connor will be with us, of course.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“You’ll go. I already have an haute couture dress from Dior for you,” Ma says, leaving no room to argue, and I admit, the idea of a custom dress sends a zip through me. “And it’s happy I am that I get to see my girl. It’s been too long, my darlin’.”
“I know. I miss you guys, too. Go get some sleep, Ma. Kiss Da for me.”
“I’ll try, and I will. See you soon, a stór. ”
She hangs up, and I see that I have seven texts from Beckett.
Beckett: How was your day?
Beckett: Do you believe in aliens?
Beckett: There’s a position described in this book that I want to try ASAP. With some modifications, of course.
Beckett: Blink twice if you’re okay.
Beckett: Irish, don’t make me come over there.
Beckett: Are you okay? I’m actually worried that you fell and hit your head. Or, you’ve decided to ghost me.
Beckett: I will spank your ass if you don’t answer me.
I’ve just finished reading the last message when my phone rings.
“Hey, sorry about that. I’m not ghosting you.”
“You’re okay?”
“Yeah, my mum called right in the middle of texting with you. I didn’t mean to make you worry.”
“Okay, good. As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters. How’s your mom?”
“She couldn’t sleep, so she was calling me. I guess there’s a charity benefit dinner that I have to go to next week in LA.”
He’s quiet for a minute.
“Did I lose you?”
“No, just processing that you’ll be out of town for a few days.”
I grin and pet Riley’s back. “You could go with us. It’s only one night. And it’s for a children’s charity.”
He’s quiet again, and I realize I’m a bloody idiot.
“Forget I said that. Christ, we’ve only just started seeing each other. You don’t need to meet my family and go to a bloody charity event with me. I’m just going to go jump off a bridge now. It was nice knowing you, Mr. Blackwell.”
He’s laughing in my ear, and I cover my face with my hand.
“Take a breath, Irish.”
“I’d like to die now.”
“If you die, I won’t have a beautiful date for a fancy dinner thing next week.”
My eyes snap open in surprise. “You’d actually go with me?”
“Are you under the impression that I can say no to you about literally anything? If you want me there, I’ll be there.”
“I’d love for you to go, but only if you feel comfortable. And if you can get away from the farm.”
“I can. I have enough help.” He sighs on the other end of the line. “I miss you, Skyla.”
“I can come out there if you’d like. Riley and I could wait for you at the house.”
“I’ll be out here all night. I have the night shift with Bessy. But I’d like to take you out for dinner tomorrow night.”
“What if Bessy isn’t feeling better?”
“We’re not putting that out into the universe. She’s going to feel like a champ, and I’m going to hang out with my girl.”
My girl.
“Yes, please.”
“Good. I’ll pick you up at six.”
“Beck, do you need anything? I know it’s been a rough week. I could bring something out and drop it off to you. How can I help?”
He sighs, and I can hear the weariness in it. I want to wrap myself around him and hug him close, push my fingers in his whiskers.
I want to comfort him.
“You’re helping. Trust me on that, okay?”
“Okay then. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Sleep well, baby.”