Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 158872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
My pocket buzzes again. Ignoring the gross question, I lean away from Wesley and pull out my phone, carefully angling the screen away from his prying eyes.
Griff: Why basic?
I respond with a shrug emoji.
Griff: Call Ella for a ride.
Me: I might.
“You really have a boyfriend?” Wesley asks.
“Yes,” I answer in a tight, fuck-off voice.
Wesley squints. “Wade didn’t tell me that.”
“Why were you discussing my relationship status with your brother?”
“Because I like you.” He traces his finger over my collarbone. A nauseating buzz vibrates through my stomach. “I’ve always liked you.”
“Could’ve fooled me.” I pull my leg away, dislodging his hand.
“Ah-ha.” A triumphant grin that’s more annoying than endearing spreads across his face. “So you do like me.”
How did he get that from what I said? “Honestly, I nothing you.” I squint and shrug as if I’m pained to reveal the truth. “I was pointing out that you’re full of shit.” Even if I once thought he was kind of cute, after the way he’s behaved tonight, he might as well be a troll. “Asking girls you barely know to blow you is creepy as fuck.”
“I never figured you were so bitchy.”
I fake-yawn and pat my hand over my mouth. “So you’ve said.”
He rocks and wobbles off the couch, then stumbles away.
The girl next to me, Jane, a junior, I think, leans over and grins in my face. “That was epic.”
Embarrassed that she overheard our conversation, heat floods my cheeks. But I shrug and try to return a confident smile. “He was being so gross. I had to give him a dose of reality.”
She giggles and throws her fist my way. “Good job.”
I tap my knuckles against hers. “Thanks.”
She returns to making out with the guy next to her and I pick up my phone again.
I hate bugging my brother’s friends for rides, but I can’t stay here another minute. Who knows when Wesley will return?
I tap out a quick rescue plea to Ella. She’s married to one my brother’s friends but she’s like a big sister to me—someone I’m comfortable asking for help.
Me: Drunk guy won’t leave me alone. Can you pick me up at Hayden’s?
I stare at my screen, waiting for a response. She’s probably working at the racetrack with her husband.
Am I being silly? Making a big deal over nothing? I promised Hayden I would stay over tonight. Is it rude to leave?
Ella: Be there in twenty.
I release a relieved sigh and stand, intent on finding Hayden to let her know I’m headed out. In the laundry room at the back of the house, I find her sitting on top of the dryer, waving her hands around and delivering a speech in a dramatic British accent, acting out a scene from…I have no idea what. Some rom-com she’s probably obsessed with. I lift my hand and wave to capture her attention.
“Mollllleeee!” She slides off the dryer, landing in a pile of neatly folded sheets and blankets.
I slide my gaze to two girls in our class who are also sitting in the clean linens and shake my head. “Her mom’s gonna kill you guys.”
“What? Why?” One giggles and hugs a blanket to her chest. “They smell soooo good.”
“Lord,” I say under my breath. Louder, I add, “Hades! I’m heading home.”
“What?” she screeches at top volume. “You can’t go!”
Maybe I really am the buzzkill Wesley said I was. Oh, well. “I don’t feel good.”
“Go upstairs and sleep it off!” she shouts.
Not if you paid me a million dollars. I can’t help thinking that if I fall asleep here, there’s a chance I’ll wake up with Wesley trying to rub his dick on me—or worse.
“Nah, I’m gonna head home.”
“I’ll ask Wesley to give you a ride.” She thrusts her hips in the air and ends up falling over again.
Hell no. “Ella’s already on her way.”
“Oh.” She pouts again. “Okay.”
I bump into Wade on my way out of the laundry room. “Hey, Molly.” He lifts his chin toward Hayden. “Is she okay?”
So polite—hard to believe he shares DNA with Wesley. “I think she’s had too much to drink.”
“Shit. I told Wesley we didn’t need to bring so much beer.”
I pat his shoulder. “I don’t think you guys are the only ones who brought party favors.”
“Wesley was looking for you.”
“Yeah, we talked.” He’s disgusting.
I slip away before he can ask me anything else and make it outside without anyone questioning me.
A shiny black Chevy Blazer glides to a stop at the curb and I run to meet it.
“What’s going on, McMuffin?” Eraser shouts as I slide into the back seat. I should’ve known Ella would bring her husband.
I groan at the nickname and slam the door shut.
Ella turns to look at me. “You all right?”
“Yeah.” I sigh.
“Do I need to go in and kick someone’s ass?” Eraser turns and lifts an eyebrow. Under his bushy beard he’s really a big teddy bear. Well, to me, anyway. If he turns that scowl loose on my classmates, someone will end up peeing their pants. “I’ll do it. Say the word.”