Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 21027 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21027 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
“Jack, what is it?”
“I’m in love with Tinsel,” I blurt out and realize that this is nothing like I was planning.
North stands there frozen for a full two seconds, and I start to panic. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it, I mean, I do mean it, but I didn’t mean it to come out that way. Fuck, I’m doing this wrong.”
Running my fingers through my hair, I turn around and rub my eyes as I try to get a hold of my emotions. Since touching Tinsel and kissing her, I’ve lost all control of my brain.
“North, you’re like a brother to me, but you already know that.” I stare at the wall because I can’t stand to see the look of disappointment or disapproval on his face. “The first time I met Tinsel, I fell in love, but you were such a good friend to me that I didn’t want to cross that line. She’s everything to me and all I can think of. I understand if you’re angry, but I won’t stay away from her. I’ve tried, I really have, but I can’t love her from a distance anymore.”
There’s another long stretch of silence, and I hang my head, hating that North isn’t taking this well. I’m trying to think about how better to explain this when I hear a sound that I never expected.
North’s laughter grows and grows until I turn around and see him bent over and grabbing his waist. There are tears in his eyes as he laughs harder, and my confusion turns to anger.
“It’s not funny,” I say, my voice cold.
North holds a finger up as he tries and fails to hold in his laughter. The last time I saw him like this was the time we got locked out of our dorm and I had to climb in the second-story window and ended up getting busted by campus security. I might have peed a little in the process, but that’s not something I like to bring up.
“What the fuck are you laughing at?” I cross my arms over my chest and give him another chance to knock it off.
“I’m sorry,” North says as he wipes away his tears and tries to catch his breath. “It’s just you were so serious when you said it.”
“Yeah, I know.” I’m beginning to get angry at how he’s dismissing what I just said. “I am serious about her.”
“No, I mean the way you said it was like I didn’t know.” He laughs again, and I stand there in confusion
“What?”
“Did you think I didn’t know?” He looks at me, and his smile gets impossible wider. “Wow, I can’t decide if you think I’m that stupid or you’re actually that stupid.”
“Watch it, North. I kicked your ass once, and I’ll do it again.”
“You accidently hitting me when I jumped out and scared you does not count as you kicking my ass.” North walks over to his desk and leans up against it with his big stupid smile in place.
“I thought I was fighting for my life.” I wave my hand to change the subject. “What the fuck, North? You knew this whole time and you never said anything?”
“It wasn’t my place.” He shrugs like I haven’t been suffering in silence for years. “You haven’t so much as glanced at another woman since you met her. Hell, I knew the first time I brought you home and you couldn’t stop staring at her. I just assumed that one day you two would finally figure it out.”
“All this time.” I feel like North lied to me, but he didn’t. It’s this strange weight off my shoulders, and now I’ve got to figure out what to do with it.
“You know how I feel about you, Jack. You’re my brother by another mother.” He nudges my side. “I couldn’t wish for anyone better to date my sister. But there’s one problem.”
“What?” I sit up, wondering what kind of bombshell he’s about to unleash on me.
“You’ve got to convince her of that.”
“Fuck,” I whisper as I look out his office window onto Main Street. “What the hell?”
Pushing off the desk, I go over to the window and see Tinsel walking into Carol’s dress shop. She’s wearing a long trench coat and—
“Has she got on a wig?” North asks, and I shake my head.
“This is going to be harder than I thought,” I admit, and North laughs.
“Welcome to the family.”
Chapter Nine
TINSEL
Carol does a double take when I enter her dress shop. “What the hell are you doing, Tins?”
“You recognize me?!” I was sure this disguise was perfect.
I’m doing my best to avoid Jack at all costs. After what happened, I don’t think I can look him in the eyes. He spanked me and then came inside me before he just walked out. A girl can’t get some cuddle time? Not that I wanted any, but I would have liked the option to turn it down.