Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 93312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“Which one?” he asks.
“Excuse me?” I tilt my head, not understanding his meaning.
“Whose bed did you just crawl out of?” He raises a questioning eyebrow, his voice stern.
I frown, my stomach rolling with nerves. What kind of question is that? Never mind the fact that I did, in fact, just crawl out of Thayer’s bed. “No one’s,” I lie.
“I’m sure you’ve realized that you no longer have a bedroom here.” Dark hazel green eyes that remind me so much of Thayer’s bore into me.
“I’m aware. I fell asleep on the sofa in the poolroom.”
“Ah,” he says knowingly. “Over imbibe, did we?” He’s giving me an out, but I can tell he doesn’t believe me.
“Yeah.” I lick my dry lips, casting a glance upstairs. I was so hell-bent on getting out of here undetected just minutes ago, but now I’d give anything for Holden or Thayer to wake up and save me from this awkward encounter. “I’m not much of a drinker, so I decided to play it safe and sleep here.”
He nods, sliding his hands into his pockets. “Is Thayer awake?”
This feels like a trick question, and the fact that he knew to ask about Thayer specifically has me feeling even more on edge. Maybe we haven’t been as careful as I thought. I shrug, playing it off. “I’m not sure. I just woke up and I’m supposed to be meeting a friend.”
Another nod. When he doesn’t speak, I take that as my cue to leave. I step down from the last step, moving past him, but his hand darts out, catching my arm. I stop short, giving a pointed look at his where he grips me, apprehension snaking its way up my spine. He notices my discomfort and releases his hold immediately, taking a step back.
“How’s Greyson doing?”
I feel my eyebrows tug together, confused by the sudden change in subject.
“I haven’t seen him in town at all,” he elaborates when he notices my confusion. “Just making sure everything’s okay.” It sounds more like a question than a statement. Is it possible that August still cares for my mom?
“He’s okay,” I lie again. “School is keeping him busy, so we don’t see him as much as we’d like.”
Something genuine flashes in his eyes, but he conceals it before I’m able to place it. “And you? I was worried you and the boys wouldn’t get along, but I see that concern was unfounded.”
“I’m fine.” I leave it at that. He’s clearly fishing for information, and I’m not taking the bait. I don’t get the sudden interest in our lives. If he gives a shit, then where has he been for the past year? I think back to what Holden said about my mom having an affair but dismiss the possibility. Why is it when something goes wrong, their first reaction is to blame my family?
“Well, I’ll let you get to your plans,” he says, dismissing me as he loosens the tie around his neck. I head for the door once more, and this time, he doesn’t stop me.
I practically ran home through the woods. The sun was just starting to rise, barely peeking through the trees, telling me it was still before seven. If I hadn’t been in such a hurry, it would’ve been the perfect morning to hang out at the barn. I’ve never been a morning person, but there’s a certain peacefulness in the early hours. Thayer told me once that he could tell what time it was based on which birds were chirping, but the chirping left with the warm weather. This time of year, it’s calm and quiet, the air crisp. The only sound was my shoes running through the fallen leaves.
I managed to sneak into my house undetected. I grabbed a banana from the fruit rack, needing something to coat my empty stomach, then slipped off my shoes and quickly headed upstairs to my room. I finished half of my banana before giving up, threw my dead phone on the charger, then promptly passed back out in the comfort of my own bed. I didn’t bother to shower or even change my clothes.
I wake up to Valen standing over me, a mixture of disgust and concern screwing up her features. “What—and I cannot stress this enough—the fuck.”
“What?” I grumble, half-awake.
“I’ve been calling you all morning.” She looks over to the table beside my bed and plucks my phone from it, showing me the missed calls and texts before tossing it down onto the bed. “You owe me answers. And a shower.” She pulls up the corner of my blanket, looking underneath. “Are you even wearing pants?”
I jerk the blanket back down and Valen climbs onto my bed, crossing her long legs. I sit up and stumble out of bed to lock my bedroom door.
“Ohhh, she locked the door. That means it’s juicy.” Valen wiggles her brows.