Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 76695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lexy’s gaze slip away, her lips twitching.
“It’s nothing,” I insisted. “And, no, I won’t stay. You guys enjoy,” I said.
“You’re sure? I got enough bagels and corn muffins and bread to feed an army of, well, pigeons, I guess,” she said, eyes bright.
“Nah, I’ll head out. Let you try to wrangle her into bed.”
I saw a light hit Lexy’s eyes at that, even as my own mind realized what I’d just said.
“She needs rest,” I added.
“Yeah, but try telling her stubborn ass that,” Lottie agreed. “Thanks for checking on her. That was really sweet. And for, I guess, saving her last night,” she added, her eyes going glassy at the possibilities that could have happened if I wasn’t around.
“It was nothing,” I insisted, some part of me still pissed at myself that she’d gotten as badly beaten as she had.
“It was definitely not nothing,” Lottie insisted. “She’s my best friend. I can’t stand the thought of what might have happened if you hadn’t been there. So thank you.”
I gave her a nod, uncomfortable with her gratitude.
Luckily, Lexy broke the tension by noisily ripping the page off of her notebook.
“Here,” she said, shoving it at me. Completely fucking graceless. And I was somehow charmed by that.
“Are you giving him music homework? Really?” Lottie asked, shaking her head. “She’s constantly giving me music homework. I’m not an audiophile like she is. I kind of just like my pop hits and that’s it.”
“Pop is fine,” Lexy said, shrugging. “I just know you would appreciate other things too,” she added in a way that made me think that she knew she was losing the music battle with her little sister. “Anyway, that’s a start,” she said.
“You should give him your number in case he needs more recs,” Lottie said, the light in her eyes just hinting at mischievousness.
“It’s fine, you don’t—“ I started, but Lexy was already tugging the paper from my hand and unceremoniously jotting her number down before handing it back. “Thanks,” I said, going ahead and letting my fingers brush hers as I took it and tucked it into my pocket.
“Oh, and maybe she should have yours,” Lottie went on. “You know, in case she has any questions or concerns about, ah, the case,” Lottie said, looking proud of her matchmaking ways.
“Subtle,” Lexy said, shaking her head.
I plucked the pen out of Lexy’s hand, and let her stabilize the pad while I jotted down my number.
“Get some rest, babe,” I said, giving her a long look, so she at least tried to take me seriously.
With that, I made my way toward the door.
“Nice seeing you again, Lottie,” I said before moving outside.
“Don’t worry,” a voice said as soon as I moved onto the top step. Looking over, I saw Perish there smoking again. “I’ll keep an eye on the girls. No one’s getting into that place without me knowing.”
I nodded at that.
“I appreciate that.”
“She got a concussion, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Sucks. I’ll miss the music blasting,” he said. “She’s got good taste.”
“Yeah,” I agreed, already planning on getting back to the clubhouse to download the songs she’d suggested and give them a serious listen before I crashed again.
“She plays good, too,” he said. “Sings real pretty. Sounds like a fucking angel.”
“Lexy?” I clarified. “Or Lottie?”
“The little one? No. Pretty like an angel, but sings like a cat being shaken in a bucket.”
That was a colorful way of putting it.
I was having a hard time imagining Lexy being the crooner and Lottie the one who couldn’t carry a tune. But I suddenly found myself almost desperate to hear Lexy play and sing.
Preferably in nothing but my tee after I’d fucked her through a few screaming orgasms.
Christ.
That was not what my mind needed to be on right now.
Though I had to admit to myself that it felt good that the interest was even there. Because I wasn’t sure of the last time I had that. Interest.
Yeah, once in a while, I would join one of the club parties and take a girl back to my room. To feel something, anything. But it was something I made myself do, not something I genuinely wanted.
“She okay?” Perish asked.
“She’s too stubborn to be honest,” I said. “But she’ll be alright. Hopefully, her sister can convince her to stay home another day or two to rest.”
“I could slash her tires,” Perish offered. “Or steal her master fuse.”
To that, I felt a laugh escape me.
Fallon was gonna fucking love his ass.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said. “If I give you my number, can you let me know if you see anything suspicious around here?” I asked.
“Yeah, I can do that,” he agreed, and we took a moment to exchange numbers before I finally left, heading back to the clubhouse to see if anyone had made any progress on figuring out who these fucks were.