Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 158872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
Ella bursts out laughing.
“Shush, I’m serious.” Juliet reaches over and taps Ella’s arm. When she turns to me again, her face is all sisterly concern. “I’ve birthed a tiny human. Nothing embarrasses me anymore. You can ask me anything.”
I open my mouth to protest but a catch in my chest stops me cold. There are so many things I wish I had my mom around to talk to about. Or my grandmother. She always listened, even if a lot of the advice she gave was of the generic “don’t let boys talk you into anything” variety, without ever explaining what the anything might be.
Nothing immediately springs to mind though. “I can’t think of anything right now.” My gaze shifts toward the racetrack where Vapor and another guy are walking around an old green Camaro.
“I won’t say anything to your brother,” Juliet promises. “Or even to Vapor.”
I doubt she keeps many secrets from her husband, so I appreciate the offer. “Thanks.”
“I know what it’s like not to have a mom around, and first love…is a big deal.” Juliet sighs, then chuckles. “Although I did have a best friend who gave me a 101 Sex Positions guide.”
Ella whistles. “Vienna’s a smart chick.”
My nose wrinkles, and I turn begging eyes on Juliet. “Please don’t do that.”
“I won’t.” The corners of Juliet’s mouth twitch with humor. “Promise.”
I breathe out a sigh of relief.
Juliet’s expression turns back to serious. “I mean it, though. Anytime, just call me. I promise not to judge.”
“I will.” She’s someone I would feel comfortable talking to about relationship stuff. I reconsider what she said and frown. “A book of sex positions? Like with pictures?”
Bright pink spreads over her cheeks. “Oh, yeah.”
“One of the foster homes I was in, the dad just passed around old issues of Penthouse or showed us porn on his phone.” Ella shrugs and looks away. “He was super gross.”
Juliet stares at Ella with wide, pained eyes for a second. “That’s not a healthy way to learn about good sex. What happened to him?”
Instead of answering, Ella gets up and leaves.
Juliet watches Ella for a few seconds as she jogs over the asphalt toward the middle of the track. “Damn,” she mutters.
“Is she okay?” I ask.
“Yeah, I think so.” Juliet refocuses her attention on me. “Look, I love Griff. He’s always had Roman’s back. He’s a good guy. And we all know how much he cares about you. But he is older. Don’t let him talk you into anything you’re not ready to do.”
My mouth opens and closes while I search for the right protest. “He’s not. He hasn’t.”
“Okay. I’m just saying, as much as we love the boys…” She bumps me with her elbow. “Sisters gotta look out for each other.”
Tears mist my vision. I love my brother and I can talk to him about lots of things. But sex with his best friend? Absolutely not. “Thanks.”
I glance around the immediate area but most of the people are focused on the racetrack or stuffing their faces. Ella found Eraser, and he’s got his arms wrapped around her tight, his chin resting on the top of her head.
Juliet turns her head, following my line of sight, and smiles with relief. “Good.” She shifts her gaze back to me. “So you two are okay?”
“We’re great.” I lean in closer to Juliet. “Actually, um, he made a big deal…well, not a big deal, but he said he needs a firm and enthusiastic yes from me before we, you know, do anything.” I whisper the last word. “Not like a ‘yeah, okay, go ahead’ when we’re… when... well…you know.” Heat sears my cheeks, and I’m not even sure that made any sense.
Oh, God. What if she tells Vapor and the guys rag on Griff because we’re not doing it?
“Oooh.” Juliet’s eyes widen and she fans herself with one hand. “He wants you to green light a premeditated sexcapade? That’s so hot.”
I squint at her. Is she making fun of us?
“I’m serious, really,” she insists. “That’s good. Sex can make you crazy.” She twirls a finger next to her ear. “You’ve got so many things to worry about in the upcoming months. If you’re not ready, that’s okay. You don’t need a guy pressuring you.” Her gaze shifts over my shoulder toward Griff’s table. “That’s actually really sweet.”
I glance down and pick at pieces of pollen on my dress. “I want to, you know.” I shrug, unsure of how much more to say.
“Of course you do.” Her tone implies it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “When you’re ready, you’ll know. Do you want the number for my doctor’s office? She’s really great.”
I frown at her. “For what?”
“The pill?”
“Oh.” I blush even harder. “I’m supposed to go to the clinic with Hayden in a couple weeks.”
“Okay. That’s good.” She hugs me again. “Proud of you, Molly.”