Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36999 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36999 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
"You're a terrible liar." She kicks her shoes off before climbing over the back of the couch to sit beside me. "You wore it because you've been trying to crack him since we moved here. Now you've cracked him and you're panicking."
"I am panicking," I whisper. "He told me that he doesn't see anyone but me."
"Well, duh. I could have told you that," Gemma says with a laugh.
"I thought he hated me."
"Would you feel better if he did?"
I shoot her a dirty look.
"That's my point. Of course you wouldn't. You're in love with him. You just didn't think you had a shot. Now that you know you do, you don't know how handle it because it means everything changes. You've never been good with change, Elodie. Especially if it means you might lose something important to you."
"You think I'm afraid I'll lose him?"
"No. I think you're afraid you'll lose your brother," she says, linking her arm through mine. "He's the most important person in your life, and Coby is his best friend. You're freaking out because your worlds are in danger of colliding."
"I made Coby promise not to tell Keegan about us."
"So it wasn't a one-time thing, huh?"
"I don't think so," I whisper, and then I sigh. "Three days ago, he told me he was in hell. And now, he doesn't see anyone but me. What if it's just a game to him?"
"What if it's not? You're so sure he meant that he hates being around you, but I've seen the way he looks at you, Elodie. The man is crazy about you. Maybe he felt the same way you did," she says. "Being around you was hell because he didn't think he could have you."
"I…" I lick my lips, considering this. "I didn't think about that," I admit. It didn't even register as a possibility. Why would it when I was so sure he hated me?
"Do you want my advice?"
"Obviously."
"You're hung up on him for a reason. Don't let that slip through your fingers because you're too afraid of what your brother might say or because you're afraid that it isn't real or for whatever other reason you're trying to find to convince yourself to run. If you do, you'll spend the rest of your life regretting it. You can't live your life for Keegan. If you try, you'll only end up resenting him. And if you run, you'll only end up hating yourself for not seeing this through."
I process this for a moment and then nod. She's right. "When did you get so smart, Gemma Marsh?"
"Are you kidding? I've always been a genius."
"You mispronounced evil mastermind."
"Same difference." She giggles, making me smile. I love her.
"When are you going to take your own advice and stop living for your sisters?" I ask, resting my head against hers.
"I already have," she whispers. "They ambushed me with a freaking Sister Meeting today to try to find out what I've been hiding."
Ouch. Gemma does not react well to being backed into a corner.
"Yeah." Her heavy sigh speaks entire volumes. "I went in there fully intending to tell them about Bronx, but as soon as I realized it was an intervention because I missed dinner last night, I kind of went off."
"What happened?"
"I told them to back off and let me live my life." She grimaces. "I didn't give them time to say anything before I bailed. They have to let me grow up eventually."
"I don't think they're afraid of you growing up, Gemma. I think they're afraid of you not needing them anymore. You guys went through this big, horrible thing together. Taking care of you kept you close. They probably feel a little like you'll all lose that bond once you're grown up and out on your own. That doesn't mean they don't want you to have a life. It just means they're afraid everything will be different for all of you once you do."
Keegan was the same way when I went to college. He drove me nuts for months, constantly breathing down my neck. It took me a while to figure out what was going on with him. Once I did, I sat him down and reminded him that I'd never outgrow him.
It took him a little while to back off afterward, but he finally figured it out. And we've been okay since. Maybe she needs to have the same heart to heart with her sisters.
"Maybe," she says softly. And then she huffs. "But that's enough about me. We're talking about you! I want to hear about these dirty, dirty things Coby said to you."
My cheeks heat at the reminder.
"Oh my gosh!" Gemma squeaks. "They must have been good if you're already blushing."
"I'm not blushing."
"You are."
"Shut up."
She drops her head against my arm, giggling. "Fine. But you at least have to tell me if you're going to let him do these dirty, dirty things to you."