Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 155405 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 777(@200wpm)___ 622(@250wpm)___ 518(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155405 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 777(@200wpm)___ 622(@250wpm)___ 518(@300wpm)
Hayden frowns. “Why is she sleeping on a twin bed in an attic?”
“It’s a long story.”
“She messed around with her stepsister’s boyfriend and got caught, so she punished her for it,” Landon says.
My gaze flashes to him, my eyes wide and my skin suddenly hot with anger. “She did not. Where did you even hear that?”
Landon shrugs, popping a few more pieces of popcorn into his stupid mouth. “Everyone knows.”
I guffaw in disbelief. “Oh, you mean like everyone knows I invited you over to my house and then called the cops to frame you for breaking in?”
He smirks, his eyes dancing with amusement. “Yeah, just like that.”
I want to yell at him or dump the popcorn bowl on his head—something to make me feel better, but our parents are right here, so I have to rein in my temper and keep things friendly.
Turning back to Hayden, I say firmly, “She didn’t do anything to get kicked out of her old room. She’s the one I told you about before, she lives with Anae Richards. That’s the stepsister Landon is referencing.”
“Ah,” he murmurs, looking much less excited. “Then I presume Chase Darington is the boyfriend in question.”
“Yes, but that didn’t happen. That’s not a thing. She was friends with his girlfriend—not Anae, his new girlfriend that Anae hated. Like I said, it’s a long story.” I look at Mom. “So, she can spend the night?”
“Sure. I don’t see why not.”
Hayden waits for me to text Hannah and put my phone away, then he unpauses the movie.
The first half passes uneventfully. I get into the story and the characters, and Landon is far enough away that he can’t touch me.
Then Landon gets up to hit the bathroom and we have to pause the movie. When he comes back, he sits closer to me on the couch, so getting up may have just been a ploy to move.
I don’t care at that point. We’re at a tense part of the movie and I can’t worry about his proximity. I need to know what happens next.
“He’s back. Unpause,” I say impatiently, since both parents are looking over here to make sure everything is okay.
Hayden smirks. “I take it you’re enjoying the movie?”
“You have excellent taste,” I confirm. “Now, make with the clicking.”
Hayden chuckles and unpauses the movie.
Landon pulls me back so my body is pressed against his on the couch, but I don’t fight it because he probably wants me to. I don’t want to feed him; I want to watch the damn movie.
Mercifully, he seems to be satisfied with our bodies making contact because he lets me enjoy the rest of the film without distractions.
I’m pumped when the movie ends. I want to scour Hayden’s more experienced movie brain for other gems just like it so we can watch another one, but Mom yawns, and that reminds me they’ll be going to bed soon.
“We should do this again next weekend,” I propose, pulling my phone out so I can text Hannah and see if she’s leaving soon.
“Definitely,” Mom says with a smile.
“Hayden can pick the next movie, too,” I say.
Hayden smirks. “We can do that. Saturday night?”
“Works for me.” I look over at Landon.
He cocks an eyebrow. “I have to be present for this, too?”
“You do,” I confirm, tucking my phone in my pocket as I stand. I collect Mom and Hayden’s empty popcorn bowl and stack it in mine, then I do the same with our drink glasses so I can take all the dishes to the kitchen in one trip.
I rinse everything in the sink and unstack it, but when I turn around, I’m startled to find Landon holding a half-empty bag of Twizzlers and some of the other snacks we had out for the movie.
You’re helping? nearly bursts out of me, but I hold it in and offer a much nicer, “Thank you for your help.”
He drops the snacks on the counter without a word.
“Did you like the movie?” I ask, trying to keep things friendly.
He grabs a Ziploc bag out of the cupboard and puts the Twizzlers in it. “I’ve seen it before. I knew I liked it.”
I grab the M&M box and tuck the tab in the little slot to close it. “Oh. Right, that makes sense. I suppose if your dad likes the movie…”
“What’d Hannah say?”
“She’s on her way.”
His mouth tugs up at the corners. “Of course she is.” He shakes his head as he slides another bag closed. “I can’t believe you called a chaperone.”
Ignoring the implication, I reiterate the excuse I gave to Mom and Hayden. “Hannah hasn’t seen my new room yet, and I thought—”
He cuts me off. “You can save the bullshit for someone who might believe it.” He drops the bagged candy on the counter and turns toward me. On impulse, as he moves toward me, my eyes widen and I back away. “We both know why you want Hannah in your bed tonight.”