Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
And, because Dad died, he was forced to move out here with Shelly and me.
“How was school?” I walk into his room, stepping over discarded shirts and shoes, where he no doubt tried on everything he owns before deciding on his morbid ensemble. “Better than the last two days?”
He snaps his head my way, anger flashing in his eyes. “Worse.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“About how you moved me into this hick town full of fucking homophobic assholes?” he grinds out. “Yeah, big brother, let’s chat.”
Kill me now.
Where the fuck is Shelly when I need her?
Taking a seat on his bed, I let out a heavy sigh. “Someone picking on you because you’re gay?”
He scowls, once again offering me his back. With exaggerated movements, he sketches on his pad.
“I can’t help you unless you talk to me.” I grab a pillow and toss it at him. “Stop ignoring me, Callan.”
Spinning around to face me, he pins me with his fiery glare. With all the makeup shit around his eyes, he’s kind of fucking scary. Like some goth metal band misfit who’s considering a hobby in vampirism.
“You can let me move back,” he throws at me. “Let me go back home.”
“There is no home to return to,” I remind him. “We sold everything to come here.”
“A decision I had no say in!”
His hazel eyes sparkle with unshed tears, gutting me. I hate that he’s having a hard time, but in the long run, this move will be better for him. In New York, everything was a reminder of the fact we lost our parents. Here, we can make new memories while experiencing a new side of life. It’s an incredible opportunity for him—for all of us.
Of course nothing I say will be right in this moment.
Before I can open my mouth, his devastated expression morphs into a bratty little brother one as he looks past me. I follow his stare to our sister. As different as night and day compared to earlier today when she was slumming it in her painting clothes. My sister looks adorable in a dark gray sweater dress, black leggings, and gray fuzzy boots. Her red infinity scarf polishes off the look. Not a hair is out of place on her brunette head and her makeup is flawless. She’s in “find a husband mode” if I ever saw it.
“I’m too young to be an uncle,” Callan teases. “You’ll be pregnant by the time the check arrives after dinner.”
I scowl at him. “It’s just dinner.”
“Just dinner,” Shelly says, prancing into the room to preen in front of us, “with the town sheriff.”
My blood grows cold. “No fucking way.”
“Way,” she sasses. “I haven’t seen him yet, but his mom was pretty. Though, from what everyone says, he’s superhot.”
Superhot, indeed.
And gay.
Sorry, sis.
“Shelly Belly…” I want to tell her to drop this asshole and find someone straight, but the excitement on her face has me faltering. “Have fun. Remember, it’s just dinner. It’s okay to be friends with someone and nothing more.”
Callan laughs. “Since when is Dante such a cockblock?”
“Don’t say cockblock,” Shelly chides, though we both know we can’t control this kid’s mouth. “And I plan on being more than friends.” She waggles her eyebrows at me, making me shake my head and fight a smile.
“Be careful and call me if he’s too…” I trail off.
Her lips part and she gasps, her hazel eyes wide with realization. “Wait. You’ve met him. You think he’s hot too!” She cackles, smacking Callan on the shoulder. “It’s been a long time since Dante and I’ve gone to war over a boy. Oooh, this is going to be so much fun.”
“Maybe I’ll go to war too,” Callan offers. “Join in on the family fun. I like ’em older—”
“No!” Shelly and I shout at the same time.
Callan shrugs. “You guys are assholes.”
“Assholes who have to keep you out of trouble and your young ass from drooling over the mean-ass sheriff,” I grumble, crossing my arms over my chest so he knows I’m serious.
Shelly shoots me a strange look before shaking her head. “You two can duke it out while I’m gone. Love you. Bye!”
We wave to our sister and I then make a beeline for my own room, happy that Callan’s sullen mood has faded. I have to get ready for tonight. If I’m going to flirt with some sassy bottoms at Kian’s club, then I need to look hot.
And not because I might be seeing the surly sheriff later either.
Nope. Not at all.
Jaxson
I can’t believe Mom set me up on a date. Furthermore, I can’t believe I agreed. I’d rather be at Blur staring at Kian’s perfectly plump lips, imagining pulling him into my lap and kissing him dizzy. Instead of doing just that, I’m pacing outside of Comida’s Diner, letting the icy night air penetrate the burning parts of my body in hopes they’ll cool.