Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
The waitress set a mug in front of me and poured me some coffee. I nodded in thanks.
“What happened last night?” I asked Neil, playing a little dumb.
“She didn’t tell you?”
I hesitated. “She said she had a good time...”
He chuckled. “But...”
I remained vague. “Well, she told me how she ended the night.”
“Yeah. She wasn’t feeling it. Or at least that’s what I took from her saying she didn’t want to go out again.” Neil shook a sugar packet. “It sucks. I really liked her.” He stirred his coffee. “But that’s okay. It is what it is. Her loss.”
I nodded. “You absolutely deserve a woman who appreciates you, my man. I always say, you’re the best catch there is.”
He stared out the window. “Maybe I need to move out of Woodsboro. My options here are limited.”
“You’d be surprised, brother. The grass isn’t always greener. Not sure I ever really appreciated Woodsboro until this most recent trip home.”
“Interesting. I always thought you hated it here.”
“I did.”
“What changed?”
“I’m not sure.” I shook my head. “Maybe I’m just more mature now and can appreciate all the things I used to take for granted—like breakfast with my little brother.” I winked.
Neil and I were only a year apart. He was twenty-nine to my thirty, while Michael was two years older than me.
He took a sip of his coffee. “I’m not buying it.”
“Why?”
“I got a vibe last night.” He stared into my eyes. “And I want you to be honest.”
“A vibe about what?” I gulped the coffee too fast and nearly burned my throat.
“You and Carly…”
Now I nearly choked on it. “There’s nothing going on there,” I insisted. “If that’s what you’re getting at.”
“Are you sure? I won’t be mad if it’s true. I’d understand.”
“Nothing’s going on,” I repeated. “Why would you think that?”
“It was the way she lit up when she talked about you. It made me wonder if her disinterest was less about me and more about you.”
I laughed, my guilt surging. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Okay, now I know you’re lying.”
“Why?”
“Your eye just twitched. That always used to happen when you fed me bullshit when we were kids.”
Is it hot in this damn place or is it just me? Grinding my teeth, I said, “Maybe I’m just uncomfortable because you’re making assumptions about me and my best friend’s girl.”
“Josh, if you can’t be honest with me, who the fuck can you be honest with? You mean to tell me you’ve been living with Carly, and nothing has happened all this time?”
I looked him straight in the eyes. “Nothing has happened. Not even when we slept in the same bed last night.”
His eyes were like saucers. The words had escaped me before I could think better of it.
“Ooooohkay. Hold up.” Neil rubbed his temples. “Say what? Last night? After she came home from her date with me?”
“Yes, but it had nothing to do with that. Scottie busted my air mattress, and the couch is like a rock. So she insisted I sleep in the bed. She was on her side, and I was on mine. No…funny business.” I chuckled at my use of that Carly-ism.
He raised a brow. “Funny business?”
“Yeah.” I wiped my forehead. “If something was going to happen, it surely would have been under those circumstances. But there’s nothing, so...” I bounced my legs anxiously.
“You think sleeping next to your dead buddy’s girl equates to nothing going on? You’re kidding yourself. Maybe nothing happened last night, but it’s bound to eventually.” He shook his head. “I knew something was up.”
“You’re wrong, Neil. If something was up between her and me, I never would’ve said you should go out with her. I don’t share.”
He leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms. “I think you were hoping I’d take away your burden—which is the fact that you’ve got the hots for Brad’s fiancée, and you don’t know what the hell to do about it.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re making up stories now.”
“Hey, boys.”
Our heads turned in unison. My father had just arrived.
“Hey.” I stood to hug him. “I didn’t realize you were coming.”
“Neil invited me.”
“I’m glad. I should’ve thought of that.”
My father sat down across from me next to Neil. He looked between us. “Boy, it’s rare that I ever see you two together. Mr. Big City finally gracing us with his presence.”
“I’m sorry, Dad. I know I’ve been a shitty son.”
He frowned. “Who said that? I’m only kidding. I’m damn proud of you—especially for what brought you back to town. Brad is lucky to have a friend like you, looking out for things when he can’t be here.”
Neil snorted.
Jackass. I glared at him.
“What the hell is so funny?” my father asked.
Dad knew I’d been sharing the house with Carly for the past month. I figured I’d beat Neil to the punch so I could at least put a semi-accurate spin on it.