Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 119152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
“Oh, yeah?” Hannah eyes us both. She’s like a trained dog who can sniff out lies. The girl can’t lie for shit, but boy, can she detect one. “You’re both glowing.” Then she turns her narrowed gaze to me. “Hand it over.”
“Don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve been the perfect gentleman. Right, Mak?” I look at her, praying she pulls this off. She stares into the distance, looking like she’s high on life. It makes me stand taller, proud I make her feel that way.
Makayla shrugs, dropping her smile and looking as bored as can be. She turns to Hannah. “Complete gentleman.”
Hannah’s hands immediately grip her hips. “Seriously? What is this? You two joined forces now?” She turns to me. “We had a deal. And it’s clear,” she waves her hand between us, “you broke it. Should I also assume she’s not coming to stay at my house anymore?”
“I mean. . .” Makayla starts. “It’s just. . .”
“We have a routine. It’s probably best if we keep to it,” I say, stepping in.
“A routine. . .” she mocks.
Mak looks over at me and wiggles her brow. “A nighttime routine. Morning routine. . . ya know.” I fight to hold back my smile. Oh, I know. And I’m loving it. Every single bit.
“If you two think for one second I believe this, you’re—”
“Han, if you’ll excuse us, we’re starving.” This time, I do laugh as Makayla hooks her hand around my arm and pulls me across the lawn. I can’t do anything but shrug at Hannah.
“What did you do to my friend?”
“Oh, Han, it’s more like what did your friend do to me?” I wink at her and allow my girl to drag me wherever the hell she wants. Kip stops in his tracks when we walk past him. His eyes drop to our connection. I shake my head, silently telling him, don’t ask. I should release her hold on me. It’s gaining too much attention. As I debate pulling away or enjoying the way she feels snuggled so close, we stop.
“S’up, dude?”
I rip my arm away from her at the sound of Levi’s voice. “S’up. What’s up? I’m good.”
Levi’s brow turns up. “You sure?” He chuckles, looking from me to Mak. “Hey, I heard what happened.” He leans in and hugs her. “Sorry to hear about the house, but glad you’re okay.”
“Thanks.”
“What are you drinking? We have beer, seltzers—”
“She’s not. She’s on meds.” Why are they both gawking at me? “What? She can’t mix.” Not sure what the hell is so funny. “Wanna keep laughing?” I step up to Levi. He raises his hands in surrender but refuses to drop that damn smirk.
“Nope. All good. Sorry, Mak. Dad says no booze.”
Asshole. If he thinks he’s getting anywhere near my football, he has another thing coming. “Hey, why don’t you go get Dad a beer?” I spit out. Levi blows me kisses and walks off.
“By the way, Daddy, I can speak for myself,” Mak says, spinning to turn away.
“I don’t think so.” I reach for her to bring her back but end up dropping my hand again when I hear Hannah’s voice.
“Makayla? Um. . . your friend’s here.”
We all gaze toward the door. Jenny stands there, scanning the backyard. My frown deepens. Something about this chick doesn’t sit right with me—her obsession with Mak, the fire. My gut says she had something to do with it—and that there’s more to the story than she let on.
Mak waves her over, and I have to school my features. “Hey, glad you could make it.”
“Thanks for inviting me. Beats watching Friends reruns. Hey, Ben,” she says, all peachy.
I slap a smile on my face and turn to her. “Hey, how’s it goin’?”
“Great! Thanks for asking. I see you don’t have a drink in your hands. Want me to grab you one? I’m headed that way.”
“I’m—”
“Thanks, Jenny. He was just saying how thirsty he was. Can you grab me a water as well?” What the hell is she doing? I look at her, but she maintains eye contact with her friend.
“Sure! Lead the way!” I throw Makayla a dirty look, but she’s already turned her attention to Hannah. With no choice, I walk off toward the coolers with Jenny. “So, how’s work been? Any updates on the fire?”
“Nothing new,” I reply, wanting to throttle Makayla.
“That’s too bad. I miss Makayla being a hop, skip, and jump away. But she seems to be in good hands.”
“She is,” I grumble, wishing she would walk faster so we can get this over with. We make it to the coolers, and Levi does a doubletake. Great. Here we go.
“Thought I was getting you a beer, honey?”
“You are,” I snap. Grabbing the open beer, I take a large swig.
Levi turns to Jenny. “Makayla’s friend, right?”
“Yeah, Jenny.” She sticks her hand out, and he shakes it. “Just getting a drink with Ben.” I’m going to spank the shit out of Makayla for this.