Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
This seems to distract him. Thankfully. “How has your free time been?”
“Good, nothing to report.” I place the plates on the set table and take the seat across from him.
“Is there something you want to tell me?” He asks, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Yes! I’m dating still! And you need to know, so you don’t continue to get the wrong idea about us. The wrong idea that you shouldn’t get because you are the brother of the love of my life. Which makes it so, so, so wrong.
“No.” I look directly into his eyes, my palms flat on the table so my hands don’t shake. “Like what?”
Suspicious eyes scan my face for a few more seconds. Why can’t I tell him? What’s the big deal? Don’t I want him to look at me like a friend?
It’s because I know that he’ll probably never talk to me again and it’s not like Eric and I are serious. We haven’t even kissed.
I’ll tell him if or when that happens. “So, this guy you’re meeting tomorrow, that’s assuming he’s a guy, I’m pretty sure you said he’s a guy… right? Anyway, what’s that all about? It sounds important. Is it important?”
“You’re rambling.” He points out, placing his fork on the plate before him. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I lie.
“You’re lying.”
“I don’t like the fact you’re sending me money.” This is another lie but it shocks him enough to not see my quirks that scream ‘LIE!’
“Why not?”
“Because… we’re not yours to look after and I make enough to provide for us both. You already have Dillan; that’s enough.”
“It’s not much; it’s only a hundred a week.” This makes me splutter on my water. “I’m responsible for you both.”
“No you’re not.”
“I feel like I am.” He doesn’t say this with disdain or hate, it’s merely a statement.
“But…”
“Stop.” He raises his hand and pinches the bridge of his nose with his free hand. “You’re giving me a headache. I forgot how frustrating you can be.”
Gasp. “You are such an arsehole sometimes.”
He smiles, totally unaffected by my tone and insult, which is shocking because he usually goes a tad over the top when I swear. “Yes… well. You bring that out in me.”
“Oh no, you don’t get to blame me for your mean ways. I’m not frustrating. I’m adorable and funny and fun and…”
“Infuriating.”
“Am not.”
“Are too.”
“Oh, be quiet.” I run my fingers through my hair and stare down at my barely touched plate of food. “I’m done.”
“You’ve hardly eaten.”
“I’m genuinely not that hungry.” I pick up my plate and move it onto the side by the sink. Nathan finishes his in record time, before placing his empty plate by mine and following me into the room where Dillan is now asleep in his swinging chair. “Did you have fun with Dillan? What did you both do?”
“Not much. He had a rough night last night. We both ended up sleeping in until eleven this morning. It was refreshing.”
“Great. So, what’s going on with this meeting tomorrow?”
He shrugs. “I’m looking to move.”
Blink. “Move?”
“Yes.”
“To…?” I prompt, hoping for more than that.
“Here, or close to here.”
Blink. “Why?”
“Don’t look so horrified.” He scoffs and lowers himself onto the seat by the door. “I want to be closer to Dillan.”
“And me?”
“Well, Dillan does live with you.” He rolls his eyes and stares blankly at the powerless TV. “Is that a problem?”
Yes. “No.” Screw my polite ways. “I guess I just don’t understand.”
“What’s to understand? I miss you. If you won’t come to me, then I’ll come to you.”
“What about your home?”
He gives me a pointed look. “Did you not listen to a single word I said the last time we spoke about this?”
“I did, I swear, I just… find it hard to believe.”
“Why?”
“Because right now you’re looking at me like you can’t stand the sight of me.” His eyes soften immediately at my words. He exhales a long breath, his body sagging with the motion. “Gwen, I never have and never will think that about you.”
“Your eyes say different.” I stand and make my way to the window. It’s just started raining. Not a small amount either, but large heavy droplets falling in millions from the sky. “Are we friends?”
He’s silent for a moment. “What kind of a question is that?”
“I’m sure you know what I mean. Are we friends or… do you want more?”
I hear his sharp intake of air. “Gwen… I…” His feet almost silently pad towards me, stopping when I feel his heat against my back. Hands slide up my biceps, causing me to shiver as my skin breaks out in goose bumps. “Do you?”
“Do I what?” I ask, my body stiff and tense as he moves the hair from my neck and runs his nose from the curve to my ear.
“Want more… from me?” His whisper tickles the shell of my ear, sending a burning tingle straight to my core. “Or do you just want to be friends?”