Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
It’s only when Duke grinds to a halt and drops our bags in the living room that I find a dozen or so people sitting around, drinking and smoking weed.
Aubrey squeals when she spots a few friends. I hold my breath and scan the sea of familiar faces, relieved that Sloane and Jasper are conspicuously absent. Austin sets her bags down before heading outside to grab his own. His gaze flickers to mine before he disappears down the hallway. I release a pent-up breath as my shoulders loosen.
“Since everyone’s here, we can talk about the room arrangements,” Kingsley says, raising his voice to be heard over the music and chatter.
Other than Everly, there aren’t any other girls I’d want to bunk with. I’m praying that we’ll end up together. My gaze flickers to Austin’s twin, only to find her watching me with narrowed eyes. Our conversation from the photography studio pops into my brain, along with the loathing that had flashed in her green depths.
It’s almost difficult to believe that a few short weeks ago, we were friends. Maybe we weren’t hanging out, but she’s someone I would have liked to get to know better. With everything that’s occurred, there’s no chance of that happening.
I rip my gaze away from hers as the room assignments are handed out. The beach house has six bedrooms and an array of couches.
Kingsley and Summer take his suite.
Aubrey is given a guest room.
“Delilah and I can share one,” Duke pipes up.
I nod, grateful that he’s looking out for me. If I can’t share with Everly, then Duke is the next best option.
Kingsley shrugs. “Sure—”
“That’s not happening. Delilah stays with me.”
My head whips toward Austin in shock as he returns from retrieving the last of the bags and drops his duffle to the floor. Nausea explodes in the pit of my belly as our gazes collide. I don’t realize I’m shaking my head until his eyes narrow as if daring me to voice the protests that have gathered on the tip of my tongue.
Kingsley flicks a look in my direction. “Does that work for you?”
Tell him no.
Say it.
But if I do that…he’ll divulge Mom’s secret. If these people find out about her and Pembroke, it’ll only exacerbate the situation. The affair between the married headmaster and widowed secretary will make the pictures look like nothing.
I can’t deal with anything else falling apart.
Do I have any other choice but to jerk my head into a nod?
Summer shoots me a scowl before stomping over to her brother. Her displeasure echoes throughout the room with each footfall.
“We need to talk in private.”
Before he can respond, she shackles her fingers around his wrist and drags him into the kitchen. If I didn’t feel so sick inside, the image of Summer forcing her six-foot tall brother into the other room would bring a smile to my lips.
Even with twenty feet of space to separate us, I’m still able to hear the low hum of their conversation. I might not be able to pick up on specific words, but it’s obvious Summer is pissed.
With any luck, she’ll talk her brother out of going through with this arrangement and forcing me to share space with him. The thought of sleeping in the same bed given the way he feels about me, the way he’s laid his hands on my body, is enough to have my belly hollowing out.
“You should have told him to fuck off,” Duke growls.
If only that were possible.
It’s tempting to pull the muscular lacrosse player aside and confess the truth, but I know it’ll only piss him off more, and I don’t want to cause further problems between these two. There’s already enough tension swirling through the atmosphere to choke on. The last thing I want is for them to get into a fight.
“It’s not a big deal,” I say in a hushed tone.
“The hell it is. It’ll be easier if we just share a room.”
Of course it would be, but that’s not an option.
I recognize it even if Duke doesn’t.
Before I can figure out a way to alleviate his concern, firm hands settle on my shoulders and I’m yanked against a hard chest. I don’t have to turn around to know who holds me captive.
“You need to mind your own fucking business, Carmichael.”
Duke straightens to his full height as his eyes harden. “Delilah is my business.”
Austin stiffens, his muscles tensing as if preparing for battle. “Oh yeah, and why’s that?”
I press my back against Austin as if it’s possible for me to keep him and Duke from coming to blows.
“Because we’re friends,” he growls, taking a step in our direction.
My eyes widen, silently pleading with Duke to back off.
“Maybe the problem is that you wish it were more. Seems like you’re always there, waiting for a chance to ride to the rescue.”