Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83221 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83221 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
This is surreal.
The Park family really has welcomed me into their fray.
“I’m sure they told you all about the party, yeah?”
“Yeah,” I say slowly. “I’m not sure if I’m going yet or not.”
It depends on what Callum says.
I need to get an answer since tomorrow night is the party.
“Your parents controlling gatekeepers too?” Gemma asks as we enter the classroom. “My dad thinks if I go anywhere unattended, I’ll get knocked up like Mom did at this age. It’s so unfair. Dempsey gets to do whatever he wants.”
“That’s totally unfair,” I agree. “My stepbrother has more freedom too.”
Her dark eyebrow arches as we take two seats beside each other. “Levi?”
I cringe at hearing his name. This morning, I was forced to take another ride with him to school. He didn’t bother me like the day before, so that was a win in my book. He was probably still gloating over Darren bursting into my room to yell at me last night.
“Totally get you,” she continues. “Dempsey is awful. He literally gets detention like every day and guess what. Dad doesn’t do anything about it. If I hear that boys will be boys one more time…” She slams her notebook onto the table. “I’m going to go feral.”
It’s amusing that this flawless, perfect specimen of a young woman could even be capable of going feral. I’m not sure what that would entail, but I think it would be entertaining.
“I’m Willa. Willa Reyes.”
She smirks at me. “I know who you are, babe. I know everything about everyone.”
Does she know her brother—Callum, not her twin—went down on me last night? I squirm in my chair. Doubtful. Best if we keep it that way too.
“I have a plan,” she says, leaning in to whisper. “We’ll have a sleepover at your place. Junk food, movies, music. All of it. Then, we can pretend to go to sleep and sneak out. My house is a fortress, so we can’t do it there.”
Her eyes are glimmering with hope. Like she’s actually excited to come hang out with the not-new girl she’s never really spoken to until today. Until this week, I’ve never been one to have sleepovers. It does sound fun, as does the party thereafter, but…
“I have to ask,” I murmur. Your brother.
“Cry if you have to. I really need this. I have no social life, no boyfriend, nothing. It sucks only being allowed to be friends with your brother and nephew, Willa. It really does.”
I can relate to that. Darren thinks I should be besties with his son. As if Levi is the caring big brother type. Gag.
“I’ll do my best,” I promise.
“It’s all going to work out in our favor,” she assures me, tossing her long brown hair over one shoulder. “I just know it.”
Today, I missed an opportunity to steal a kiss from Callum after my class with him because one of the students was complaining about their grade. I could tell he was pissed to have to deal with them by the way his jaw worked furiously.
Sneaking around to see him is hard.
Thank God for texting.
Because even though I’ve not been able to touch him or speak to him today, I’ve still been connected to him. He keeps sending me flirty texts to make me smile. It makes our secret worthwhile.
After the last bell of the day, I get a text from Callum.
Callum: Meet me at the library. I’ll pick you up. Tell Levi you have a project in one of your classes.
Me: I’ll be there in fifteen.
Callum: Good girl.
I’m still grinning when Levi pops up out of nowhere. His eye is red and swollen like he just got hit. The rage rippling from him sucks the breath out of me.
“Let’s go,” he spits out, storming toward the exit door. “Now, Willa.”
I trot after him, curious as to what has him so angry. “Did you get hurt?”
“One of your buddies sucker punched me.” He glowers at me. “Spencer’s your new best friend, right?”
“Why did he punch you?” I ask, ignoring his taunts.
“Because he’s a dick. Let’s go.”
“I’m going to the library,” I blurt out, voice trembling slightly. “I, uh, have a project I need to work on.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“No,” I say too quickly. “I mean, it’s boring research. I’ll just walk home. It’ll be fine.”
Levi turns his stare on me, eyes darting all over my face like he can see what I’m hiding. Since he doesn’t flip out, I know I’m masking my true intent well.
“Dad said it was okay?”
“Mom did.” I give him my best bitchy smile. “Some of us care about our GPA.”
“Whatever. I’ll drive you there.” He motions for his car. “Get in.”
Since he’s going to leave me at the library, I obey, climbing into his vehicle. Dempsey is sitting on top of his black Range Rover, legs dangling as he calls out to Gemma, who’s walking toward them. I duck my head, not wanting them to see me with Levi. I’ve barely just made friends. I don’t need to rub it in their faces that my stepbrother is a major douchebag who fights with their family on the regular.