Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 117820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 589(@200wpm)___ 471(@250wpm)___ 393(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 589(@200wpm)___ 471(@250wpm)___ 393(@300wpm)
“There are seven plates here,” I hiss at Poppy who shrugs.
“Oh, yes, I invited the Joneses,” Mee-maw explains and I suddenly don’t feel so hot.
“You mean Mr. and Mrs. Jones?” Poppy questions.
“That’s right. And Marshall. He has been away at football camp and returned two days ago. I thought I’d treat him to a nice meal. Lord knows that boy likes my food. Best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, ladies. Learn a lesson here.” She hums as she sets the table and I look at Poppy who cringes.
Marshall and I haven’t really spoken since that entire thing and Kane hates him purely because he kissed me. This is going to create issues. So many issues.
“We just won’t tell him,” Poppy suggests, meaning Kane, and I like that idea until Matthew puts in, “Marshall ain’t keeping his mouth shut.”
With a heavy sigh I mentally assess the situation. It would be so much easier to lie but there’s a massive chance I’ll get caught out which will cause even more issues. I’m good at lying but I can’t speak for other people. “I’m not lyin’ to him, there’s no use. Besides, Marshall probably won’t even speak to me. I really embarrassed him.”
Poppy nods. “Yeah, he’s not used to rejection.”
I sigh heavily. “This is going to be hell.” But then I think back to our earlier conversation that I got mad at to begin with. “Actually fuck, Kane Jessop. I’m done with him. I don’t care what he thinks.”
Marshall is surprisingly pleasant during our dinner and his parents even more so. They force us to sit opposite each other and I realize that they’re still trying to get us to match. That’s why they invited Poppy, to keep Matthew occupied so Marshall and I can talk.
Marshall looks uncomfortable though and I don’t blame him. Mee-maw is asking him so many questions, some of them invasive like, “did you meet any girls at camp?”
Marshall answers them all like a champ and pulls a face when she’s not looking which of course I laugh at.
His parents ask me questions too and unfortunately, his nosy mother asks me something I really don’t want to be asked, “So… you and the Jessop boy.”
Everyone at this table becomes harder than the fucking table itself. And not in the sexy way. In the… oh shit way.
“Rumor has it you dated for a while? Perhaps you’re still dating?”
Those nosy good for nothing church dwelling trolls. Keeping calm, I school my features so they don’t see my surprise.
I consider lying but it’s not as though Kane and I have kept our thing a huge secret, he can’t keep his hands off me and vice versa so instead I opt for the truth, knowing Mee-maw will probably beat me later.
“We were, but it didn’t work out.”
Mee-maw’s eyes find me and through gritted teeth she lies, “My granddaughter realized what a terrible influence he would be. But we all have to experience the bad people in order to truly learn who the pure ones are.”
She did that so effortlessly, turned what I would be judged for into something else. She’s so manipulative.
“Of course,” Mrs. Jones agrees. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you.”
“Thanks. It wasn’t serious.” Saying the words out loud physically hurts me. I feel like I’m betraying him in some way, despite the fact he doesn’t love me or care about me beyond what I can do to him in the bedroom.
Later, after dinner, Marshall and I sit on the porch swing out back, overlooking Mee-maw’s ill-maintained garden. Since Grandpa died she just doesn’t have it in her. He was the gardener. She prefers the housework indoors.
I’ve told her to pay somebody because Lord knows Matthew isn’t going to help and I already do enough house chores. Whether or not she will is another matter entirely.
“They’re trying to set us up again,” Marshall says, breaking the silence. It was so awkward. I’m glad he’s gotten right to the point of it all. “I know you’re not into me like that.”
“That’s not true,” I blurt, feeling bad. “I was so into you.”
“But you were into Kane more?”
I lift a shoulder. “Things with Kane have and always will be complicated.”
“Would’a been pretty simple with me.”
Laughing gently I look at where Poppy and Matthew are whispering amongst themselves. They’re everybody’s teen dream relationship. They’re so in love while also being best friends. It’s so sweet it gives me toothache.
“Do you love him?”
“Kane?” I question and laugh nervously. “No. I can’t stand him.”
He looks confused but then his eyes light up with innocent excitement.
“Then date me again, appease my parents.” His words come as a plea and I can’t tell if he’s joking or not. “Appease your mee-maw.”
“After everything that happened?”
“Look, it’s not about sex or anything,” his cheeks go pink in the dark, I see the color. “I really like you. You’re not like the other girls in school.”