Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 158848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
“Yeah, I’ll make apologizing on your behalf my first priority.” I turn around, jog up the steps, and pull the screen door open. At least Molly didn’t try to lock me out.
She’s at the kitchen sink. A large, round, black plastic lid’s in one hand, and in her other, a small red tube.
Her tongue pokes out as she concentrates on touching the tip of the tube to the inside rim of the lid.
“What are you doing?” I close the door behind me. Outside, Torch’s engine rumbles to life and slowly slips along the side of the house.
“Gluing Remy’s coffee can shut,” she answers matter-of-factly. “Already did his protein powder and vitamins. Next, I’m stuffing paper in the toes of all his shoes.”
“Uh, the protein powder was probably mine.”
She flicks a cool look my way. “Oops.”
I bite my lip to stop my laughter. She’s so cute. And absolutely diabolical. I love her.
She bangs the coffee lid into place and caps the glue. Her wild gaze swings around the kitchen like she’s plotting what way to hamper her brother’s morning routine next.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask.
“Oh, now you want to talk? Couldn’t be bothered to tell me before.”
“What was I supposed to say?” I hold my arms out wide. “I was fucking furious when Remy told me because I knew how you’d feel when you found out. I told him he was an asshole.”
She sets the glue on the counter and ducks her head.
I approach her slowly and pull her against my chest. As soon as she snakes her arms around my middle, I blow out a slow, relieved breath.
“I feel so dumb,” she mumbles against my shirt.
“Don’t. Remy’s just being his overbearing self. He thinks he’s doing the right thing—”
“Don’t stick up for him.”
“He’s not as clever as he thinks he is.” I jerk my thumb over my shoulder. “Torch wasn’t lying. I knew he was into you at your birthday party. I’m not surprised he jumped at Remy’s suggestion at all.”
She squeezes me tighter and shakes her head, her cheek sliding against my T-shirt. “At least now I don’t feel bad.”
“For what?” Dread fills my chest as I ask the question.
“Not…I don’t know.” She quickly pulls away.
“Hey.” I rest my hands on her shoulders, holding her in place. “You don’t have anything to feel bad about, okay?”
“Ugh.” She squeezes her eyes shut. “What was he doing anyway? Running back to give Remy updates?”
Probably. “I really don’t know.”
“I’m so embarrassed.” She pokes her fist into my stomach. “Why couldn’t you just have said something?”
“Molly.” I pull back so I can look at her face. “I would’ve sounded like a jealous asshole, accusing Torch of doing Remy’s bidding. I had enough trouble trying to convince you I didn’t cheat on you.” I think it through a bit more. “I wanted you back because you wanted to be with me, not because you were hurt by someone else.”
She squeezes her eyes shut and hugs me tighter. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I’m just trying to explain why I didn’t tell you. I don’t like keeping secrets from you. I thought about saying something the night of the carnival.” I squeeze her closer. “But I couldn’t stand the thought of being the one to cause that hurt. I’d already done enough.”
She sniffles. “You didn’t do anything.”
“Yeah, I did. It wasn’t intentional but you still got hurt because of me.”
“I was unhappy at the carnival without you,” she admits.
“Yeah.” Should I admit that I followed her around like a creep? Sure, why not? “You looked like you were having fun with your friends.”
“I did…” Her voice trails off and her eyes widen as realization slams into her. “I knew it! You didn’t ‘guess’ I liked that bunny. You saw me trying to win it!”
“Sure did. You were cute as hell, trying so hard to sink those little skulls in the baskets.”
“Let me guess.” She huffs and rolls her eyes. “You won the first time you tried.”
“No, it took me two turns.” I shrug and arc my hand through the air like I’m playing basketball. “The trick was to gently lob the ball into the side of the basket, so it rolled in instead of hitting hard and bouncing out.”
“Good to know for next year.” She raises one questioning eyebrow. “If you’ll still take me?”
“Hell yeah, I will.” I rest my hands at her waist. “Only if you wear that sexy little dress again for me.”
“Sexy?” She holds her hand up to her throat. “The one with the high collar?”
“Yup.”
“What if I come up with a better costume?” She drops her gaze and flutters her lashes, teasing me.
“You can go with a black bedsheet over your head, and you’ll still be sexy as fuck.”
She laughs and hugs me tighter. I kiss the top of her head, grateful we moved past the Torch situation and she’s not holding a grudge. Against me, anyway.