Series: The Laws of Opposite Attract Series by Vi Keeland
Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 105253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
I tilted my head. “Rubber Ranger?”
Heath smirked. “That’s your new superhero name, since you saved Judy and all.”
I assumed Judy was the mannequin he’d stolen. “It’s cute that you name your dolls before you make them your girlfriend.”
Heath chuckled as he tossed the pizza box on the table. “Come on, let’s eat. The owner gave me a free pie when he hired me.”
“I made chicken and broccoli,” Devyn said.
Hannah wrinkled her nose. “Again?”
“I’m sorry if my menu isn’t as diverse as you’d like.”
Hannah pouted. “Can we just eat the pizza? It smells so good. We can eat your boring chicken tomorrow.”
Devyn shook her head, looking frustrated. “Fine. But you’re eating the chicken tomorrow.”
Heath flipped open the top to the pizza box. “Want a slice, Rubber Ranger?”
I glanced over at Devyn, who seemed hesitant. But fuck it. I hadn’t eaten, and I’d already overstayed my welcome prying. So why not?
I shrugged. “Sure. It smells good.”
The three siblings’ dynamic was interesting to observe over dinner. Devyn seemed more like a mother than a sister to Frick and Frack.
“How did tryouts go, Hannah?” she asked.
Hannah shrugged. “Okay, I guess.”
“She was the best one there,” Heath countered. “Besides Daisy, of course.”
Hannah rolled her eyes. “Daisy isn’t even that good of a singer. She’s just pretty and has big boobs.”
I wiped pizza grease from my hands with a napkin. “What did you try out for, Hannah?”
“PS Idol. It’s my dumb school’s version of American Idol.”
“You sing?” I asked.
“Hannah is an amazing singer.” Devyn smiled. “She also plays the guitar and drums. She wants to go to Juilliard someday.”
“Really? That’s cool. I always wished I could sing. My friend Holden is a drummer, but he has a great voice, too. He lives here in the building. Maybe you’ve seen him around?”
Hannah’s face turned red.
“Oh, she’s seen him.” Heath pressed his hands into the praying position and held them to his cheek. “Holden the hottie,” he said in a high-pitched voice.
Hannah stood and tossed her napkin on the table. “You’re such a jerk, Heath.”
“At least I’m not in love with a fifty-year-old.”
Since Holden and I were the same age, I took offense to that comment. “Hey, calm down. Holden’s only thirty.”
Heath shrugged. “Same thing.”
Hannah stormed off to her room.
“Do you have to pick on your sister all the time?” Devyn asked.
“What? It’s the truth. She’s in love with the dude. The other day she tripped over her own feet when she saw him in the lobby.”
Devyn shook her head. “Just go do your homework, Heath.”
After he disappeared, I collected the dirty paper plates from the table and tossed them in the garbage. “So Hannah’s got a little crush, huh?”
“Apparently so.”
I shook my head. “Thirteen or thirty, women can’t help but love that guy. Holden’s a chick magnet. Always has been.”
“I can see why. He has a certain way about him.”
A spike of jealousy coursed through my veins. “Oh yeah? You got a thing for Holden, too?”
“Me?” Devyn shook her head. “No, he’s not my type. But that doesn’t mean I can’t see the appeal. He has that aloof, musician thing going on that women love, especially young ones like Hannah.”
I rubbed my bottom lip with my thumb. “Not your type, huh? So what exactly is your type, Devyn?”
Her eyes dropped to my lips for a half second before she looked away. “I don’t have a particular type. But it’s getting late, so…”
“Soooo…don’t let the door hit me in the ass?”
“I didn’t mean—”
I held up a hand. “It’s fine. I can take a hint.”
I scooped up my toolbox, and Devyn followed me to the door. But I stopped after I opened it. “Can I ask you something?”
“What?”
“You said your relationship with the actor guy is casual, right?”
“Yes.”
“So is it just me, then? Was our night together not good for you?”
Devyn’s face fell. “Oh gosh, no. Our night together was great. It’s not you at all, Owen. It’s just that my life is complicated enough without getting involved with someone while I’m out here. I’m only in town for a short time.”
I nodded. She had a lot going on. “Okay. I get it.”
“Do you really?”
“Sure.” I leaned in to kiss her cheek and winked. “But it won’t stop me from trying.”
CHAPTER 6
Devyn
A week had gone by, and I hadn’t run into Owen again, nor had he reached out. That brought me mixed feelings, but mostly relief. Because every time I was around him, I second-guessed pushing him away. His eyes, his smell, the way he looked at me, and the memories of our night together were difficult to contend with when he was right in front of me.
The window by the small desk in the living room of the apartment provided a perfect view of the street in front of the building. Heath and Hannah had just left for school, and it was quiet. I couldn’t help looking out occasionally to see if I might spot Owen. I wasn’t sure what time he normally went to work, but I was pretty sure he’d be gone by now since it was past 9 AM. But that didn’t stop me from glancing out anyway, in the hopes of shamelessly observing the guy without him knowing.