Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 88080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Me: I confided in you. You promised you’d wait for me. Is that still true?
I figure she’s asleep, but she responds immediately.
Roux: You know it is.
Me: Don’t hate me for keeping you at arms’ length. I hate myself enough for both of us.
Roux: I’ve only ever loved you, Jordy. Even when you’re the dumbest asshole on the planet and I don’t understand anything that goes on in that prison of a mind of yours. You piss me off but hate never crosses my mind. Not ever.
Me: Promise me you’ll wait for me. Even if everything feels messy and confusing and like I don’t care. I care, Roux. So fucking much. Just trust me.
Roux: I don’t have a choice.
Me: You always have a choice.
Roux: Not when it comes to you. My heart decided for me.
Me: Our hearts are on the same team. They always have been.
Roux: Then let’s win.
Me: It’s my plan.
Roux
Another party, another week.
I’m not interested in going to Zac’s party, but I know Charlotte will most likely be there. The fact she’s been declining further tells me it’s imperative I show up for her own safety. I mentioned to Hollis she’s getting worse and he assured me he’s working on it with his parents. Not fast enough. I’ll have to see if I can talk some sense into her on my own.
I shoot off a text to Jordy.
Me: You going to that party tonight to watch over Kayden?
Jordy: Unfortunately.
I smile because I can imagine his pouty frown. A frown I’ve kissed away in the dark. Things haven’t gotten hot and heavy like they did Saturday night, but he’s managed to sneak in to give me a good night kiss each night. No heavy petting, but lots of tongue.
“Are you smiling because we’re having a pop quiz?” Wes asks as he drops a paper onto my desk.
I roll my eyes as I put my phone away. “Can we not and say we did?”
His laughter echoes behind me as he finishes distributing the quizzes. Charlotte’s at her desk, her cheek on the wood, staring past me as if she’s zoned out. My heart aches seeing her this way. When she catches me staring, she scowls and closes her eyes, effectively shutting me out.
Wes tells everyone good luck before sitting down at his desk. My phone buzzes and telling by the expectant look on his face, I know it’s him. He’s actually been a good friend to me. Listens to me gripe about everything and then offers advice. Mostly, he distracts me with poetry. I pull out my phone and peek at it.
Wes: You should smile more often. If I knew pop quizzes made you grin that way, I would’ve been tossing them at you all the time.
I discreetly flip him off, earning me a wide, boyish grin from him.
Wes: I should give you detention for that.
Me: But then who would read your poetry?
I playfully bat my lashes at him.
Wes: You’re a brat. Speaking of poetry… Want to go to Josie’s after school?
Me: Can’t. I have to go to a party to keep an eye on Charlotte.
He glances over at her and frowns.
Wes: Should I come with?
Me: No.
His frown makes me feel guilty, but the last thing I need is to show up to a party with my freaking English teacher. No one will understand he’s just my friend. Especially not Jordy. Jordy would probably kill him on the spot and wind his ass back up in jail.
Me: Raincheck on poetry. I’ll call you tomorrow. I might even read some of what I’ve written this week.
He sits up and lifts a brow.
Wes: Oh yeah? Feeling inspired?
I think of Jordy’s full lips as he kisses me senseless.
Me: Yes.
Wes: What’s the name of one of the poems?
I close my eyes, smiling. Then, I type out my reply.
Me: His Lips.
He smirks at me.
Wes: About a kiss?
Me: You’ll just have to wait and hear it.
His wink is devilish. And his eyes hungrily rake down my front. It makes me backtrack, rereading through our texts. Surely he doesn’t think I want to kiss him. He’s my friend.
I try not to think about his response and focus on the quiz. My brain jumbles the questions together until I’m frustrated beyond belief. The bell rings, dragging me from my inner thoughts, and I frown at my paper.
Wes gives me a look that says, “Don’t leave.”
I remain seated as I watch Charlotte drag herself out of her seat. Ryan is waiting by the door and he glowers at me before tucking her under his arm.
Fuck Ryan Cunningham.
Wes closes the door when the last student leaves. He walks over to my desk and picks up my paper.
“You didn’t have to attempt this,” he says. “I told you I’d give you tests and quizzes verbally.”
“I wanted to see if I could do it. Apparently I can’t.”