Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Did she just say work funny or am I imagining things? “I’m here now. I ordered the pizza, and it should be on its way. Let me get the popcorn ready.”
“You know, you don’t have to watch the show with me.”
I put my coat on the hook and slowly turn toward Sunny. “You kicking me out?” I try to make it sound like a joke, but we both know I’m dead serious.
She makes a small smile that isn’t really happy either. “No, but I don’t want you to be doing things with me out of duty or because that’s how we’ve always done things. I’m a big girl. I can watch TV by myself.”
“The hell you can.” I stalk forward until my boots are touching the tips of her slippers. “Big Brother is our thing and has been since it first aired. Who else are you going to talk strategy with? Who else is going to have the right chocolate on hand when you’re getting frustrated with the contestants? It’s me.” I thump my chest. “That’s my job, and you better not be thinking of giving it to Brad—”
“Brian.”
“Whatever his name is or he’s going to be looking for a new job.” I’m practically yelling now. I know I sound ridiculous getting worked up over this small shit, but this small shit leads to bigger things. First it’s the TV show, and then it’s dinners out and then it’s her moving into Brad’s place, and that is not happening, not while I’m still alive.
“You can’t fire him for dating me,” she exclaims. “That’s asking for a lawsuit!”
“Then have the asshole sue me!” I bellow. The doorbell rings. “Fuck, our food is here.”
“Good because the show is about to start, but once it’s over, we’re talking about Brian because you seriously can’t fire him. The school would be hit with really bad publicity, and your dad would be so mad.”
I cannot believe she’s defending this prick. Tomorrow I’m going to figure out a way to fire him if that’s the last thing I do. Until then, I’ll pretend like all’s well so Sunny doesn’t try to warn him off. This will be a surprise attack from the side which she doesn’t see coming, and once I’ve gotten rid of him, she’ll forget his existence right quick. I bang over to the door, grab the pizza, shove a tip in the delivery guy’s chest, and slam the door shut. “Big Brother time,” I say between clenched teeth.
4
SUNNY
“Let me.” Mack takes the controller from my hand to find our show on the DVR. “See? You need me,” he points out.
“That’s only because you never let me learn how to use any electronics around here,” I huff. “You’ve enabled me.” I tease, but I’m not sure it’s actually a joke.
“Why does it matter? I’m here to do it for you.” He flips on our show before dropping the remote back down onto the coffee table. Until he’s not here one day. That’s something he’s not realizing. What if he finds some girl and goes and falls in love? Then what am I supposed to do? I’ll not only be heartbroken, but I won’t even be able to watch my shows.
“You’re not even around all the time anymore. Plus—” His head snaps up, a serious look in place on his handsome face. I zip my mouth closed, not wanting to get him worked up again. He only just cooled down. Work must have him really stressed.
“Sit, I’ll get your cheese.”
I drop down onto the sofa. He stomps out of the living room and into the kitchen. He’s really pissed, and I don’t understand why. I don’t like him being upset with me. This is new to me, and I don’t know how to handle it. This is the first time there has been this awkwardness between us.
Mack returns a moment later with my grated Parmesan cheese for my pizza in one hand and a bottle of ranch in the other. He sets them down on the table before making me a plate and handing it to me.
“Thanks,” I say. I love that he knows exactly how I like things without me having to tell him. And how he pays attention to all the small details when it comes to me. It makes me feel special and loved. Something I haven’t had since I lost my parents.
“It’s not me enabling you. It’s me taking care of you.” He hands me a napkin next. “You’ve never had a problem with it before.” He drops down onto the couch next to me, his leg grazing mine.
“I kind of realized over the last month with you working so much there is a lot I don’t know how to do for myself. I can’t always depend on you. It’s not fair to you. I need to be able to take care of myself.” If I thought the look on his face was serious before, that was nothing compared to the one he’s giving me now.