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)
Remy cocks his head and stares at the screen. “I didn’t see this part. Molly had already run out of the room, and I went after her.”
Anguish twists my chest. My Molly had her heart ripped out and I wasn’t here.
“That’s good. I guess,” I mutter.
“Don’t worry, I’m sure Hayden or one of the other girls blabbed the whole thing to her. People couldn’t stop giving her helpful ‘updates’ all summer long. Why do you think she left for college early?”
“That’s why you won’t let me talk to her?”
“You haven’t exactly put in a lot of effort.”
“Bro, you saw how I came home. You literally took me to the doctor this morning.”
He shrugs. “Well, I caught you checking out her schedule in the kitchen. You know where she is.”
“Fuck off.” I gesture toward the television. “This isn’t some happy horseshit rom-com. You think me showing up on campus unannounced would be good for her?” I lower my voice. “I don’t want to do anything to distract her from school.” I swallow hard, fighting off my annoyance with Remy so I can make him understand I’m trying to do the right thing. “I don’t want to do anything to hurt her more than I already have.”
He stares at me for a few long, thoughtful moments. “You’re right.” His gaze slips to the side and the corner of his mouth twitches. Guilt? About what, though? “You’re not really in any condition to drive, either.”
“No shit.”
“All right.” He finally relents. “I’ll tell you the next time she comes home.”
My heart stops. Finally.
“Pax has been talking about having a costume party at Zips,” he adds. “She was excited about coming home for that.”
Costume party? Molly probably has an outfit ready to go.
“You should probably think about a costume.” He scowls. “Although, honestly, if your face still looks like that you won’t need a mask.”
“Thanks, fucker.”
“I should warn you…” He glances away like he has to gather his thoughts.
“What?” I prompt.
“Pax wants to throw a big welcome home party for you at some point.”
“Please, no.” I can’t have any pictures taken until after the reunion show. Besides that, I’m too fucking embarrassed to show my face anywhere yet. Not because of my injuries. Because I lost to the biggest dumbass in the house and whenever that episode airs, everyone will know it.
“Can we do it sometime when it’s just our crew?” I don’t need a bunch of strangers in my business.
He tilts his head in his obnoxious way. “Having your moody ass there might be a big draw for Zips. Pax could use some more legit business.”
“Really?” I cock my head. “Second-place finisher from a third-rate reality show?”
“This is backwater New York.” He cough-laughs. “A D-list celebrity is still pretty exciting.”
“More like Z list,” I grumble and fall against the couch. Fabric rustles over my shoulders. The blanket Molly and I snuggled under not that long ago in this very spot. Instead of Molly’s familiar cherry-vanilla scent, the carefully woven yarn now smells like detergent.
“If you’re looking for a pity party, I can’t help you.”
“I’ll tell Pax I need some time. Right now, I look like hot garbage.”
“Nah.” He waves his hand in the air, dismissing my concern. “You look like a warrior. Girls love that shit.”
I glare at him. “Only one girl’s opinion matters to me.”
He does that guilty shift of his eyes again. “You plannin’ to stay over, or you want me to drive you home?”
I toss the blanket toward the end of the couch. “You mind if I stay?”
“Nooo,” he answers slowly. “I said you could move in and take over the basement.”
“But I’d need to bleach all the surfaces.” I blink at him with complete innocence. “And pry the mirror off the ceiling.”
He rolls his eyes. “I’d say move into the back bedroom down here, but it’s still crammed full of Nana’s stuff.”
“I don’t know if I can do the basement stairs right now.”
“You want me to install one of those stair lift things for you?”
I burst out laughing. “What’s wrong? Are you lonely without Molly around?”
“Me?” He raises his eyebrows. “Lonely? No.”
“I’ll think about it.” I lift my chin. “Who’s gonna help me move all my shit?”
“You mean your one bed, one dresser, sad little collection of clothes, nightstands, and TV? I think we’ll manage.” He gestures toward the basement. “It’s furnished. You can sell your stuff if you want.”
“How much rent are you gonna charge me?”
“We’ll work something out.”
I stand and stretch. “Thanks.”
Remy stands and faces me. “For?”
“Watching that with me.” I tilt my head toward the TV. “I’m so fucking embarrassed.”
He studies me for so long, I drop onto the couch cushions and wait for his judgment.
“They did you dirty, for sure.” He works his jaw from side to side. “At the time, I didn’t know what the fuck to think. You see how they made it look.”