Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 90682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“Do I look old enough to be their mom?” Are my eyes bulging out of my skull? Never have I ever been asked if I was the mother of a twenty-year-old man. Are they asking sincerely or are they being assholes? Hard to tell.
“Not really.” The blonde laughs. “But you don’t look like you go here.”
“I’m not their mom. I’m friends with their brother.”
“Is that who that was outside before?” The blonde nudges the brunette. “Their brother?”
So they were watching the house earlier, too.
“Yup. Their older brother. He’s not from around here.” So don’t get any ideas, honey.
Back off.
Her face falls. “Oh.” She’s thinking of her next question. “Are they all related?”
“Yes, there are four brothers—three of them live here.” Why am I telling them this?
A guilty pit forms in my stomach when they begin nudging each other as if my sight were impaired and I couldn’t see them elbowing one another in the rib cage twenty feet in front of me.
Silly girls…
“Well, we live over there and just wanted to say hi.”
I smile pleasantly. “That was nice of you.”
My expertise is with kindergarteners, not horny collegians on the prowl for fresh meat.
I’m not sure how much information to supply; Duke is private, but I have no idea how his brothers feel about it.
“Do you know what year the guys are?”
I nod. “Two freshmen and one sophomore.”
“Two freshmen?” The blonde laughs. “Did one flunk a grade?”
Oh Lord. “No, they’re twins.”
I swear to God, their eyes light up like the Fourth of July, the word TWINS setting off an elbowing frenzy giggle fit if I’ve ever seen one.
“Twins?” The blonde—no lie—licks her lips like a lion already sizing up its prey. Twins must be a magic word these days.
“Do they play sports?”
Lord, would they stop pimping me for information? It’s giving me anxiety.
“Um.” I stall, not wanting to give away the farm, worried I’ll get in trouble if the girls come back later and tell Dallas, Drew, and Drake I spilled all the beans. Can’t they go home so my blood pressure can return to its normal state?
Behind me, I hear the screen door creak open.
“Posey.”
I turn.
Saved in the nick of time, Duke is standing on the porch, holding the door open, shielding the sun with the back of his hand.
“Yeah?”
Duke's face is expressionless as he watches the two girls before speaking, judging them. For a few moments, he does nothing but stare the lot of them down, and I wonder what’s going through his head. Does he think they’re hot? Is he interested in one of them? Or is he irritated they’re lingering?
Three of his big fingers tap the doorjamb.
“None of us can figure out how to get that fitted sheet thing on Drake’s bed.”
They need help figuring out how to make the bed?
Of course they do.
I lift a finger in the universal “be there in a second” motion.
He stares hard at the girls a few more seconds before nodding once and disappearing back into the house.
“Holy shit,” one of the girls whispers. “He is so hot.”
“Wait.” The brunette pauses. “Was that who I think it was?”
“Who did you think that was?” The blonde grips her friend’s forearm. “Is he your ex-boyfriend?”
“Please tell us that’s not the older brother. Which one was that?”
Dear Lord, if they were drooling before, they’re positively foaming at the mouth now. Is this what it’s like being in public with Duke Colter? No wonder he wants to hide out; if these college girls recognize him, what’s it like when he’s in the company of grown men?
It must be a feeding frenzy.
“Well, ladies, duty calls.” I clap my hands together, disregarding their questions. “It was nice meeting you. I’m sure you’ll see the boys around this year.”
Oh God, I really do sound like a total mom. I’m sure you’ll see the boys around this year? Ugh! Why don’t I just go ahead and add, “Be mindful of your studies! Safety first, always stick together in groups! Get a good night’s sleep before a big test!”
Cringe.
I’m such a nerd sometimes.
14
duke
I hate to admit that I’m glad to have had Posey along with me today, but…I’m glad to have had Posey along with me today. I think the boys liked it too. She’s adorable and fun to be around.
I also found out today that she has a terrible singing voice, having caught her warbling while she was scrubbing the bathtub, down on her hands and knees with scouring powder.
Something else I caught her doing?
Chatting outside with those girls a few times. At one point, they got so bold as to come to the door, pretending they needed help with something, but in reality, they just wanted to meet the boys in person.
I’d seen them outside once—did they think we’re so dumb we wouldn’t recognize them a few hours later?