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)
“Where’ve you been all morning?” I ask.
“I came in late. But don’t worry, I’ve got some stories for you.” She leans across the table. “You missed a lot the other night. Why’d you leave so early, anyway?”
I shrug, not in the mood to discuss it here and now. Not when she’s bubbling over with excitement, and we’re surrounded by every junior and senior in our high school.
“What’d I miss?” My voice lacks enthusiasm. My mind’s already wandering back to snuggling on the couch with Griff. Heat races over my cheeks. God, the way his warm breath coasted over my skin…the unrestrained desire in his eyes…the hoarseness of his voice. He wants me to be the one to tell him when I’m…ready. My skin tingles all over as I consider the possibilities.
I push the memory aside and try to focus on my best friend.
“Wade and I talked.” She wiggles her eyebrows, indicating they did a lot more than talk. Wow. I bet Wesley was annoyed his little brother got some and he didn’t.
“I thought you were just friends, and he was too ‘studious’ for you?” I tease, throwing back some words I’m pretty sure she uttered as recently as last week.
“He’s not that bad.” She shakes her head. “And he’s a quick learner on other subjects. If you know what I mean.”
I roll my eyes. “I think the table knows what you mean.”
She giggles and uncaps her Coke. Brown, fizzy liquid foams, and bubbles over the sides. I toss a napkin at her and shift my notebook to the side.
Hayden and Wade, huh? Numbness snakes through my stomach. I’ll be perfectly happy never being in the same room with Wade’s brother again. “Be careful. Wesley’s a creep,” I blurt out.
She stops mopping up the spilled soda and stares at me, her bubbly attitude deflating like a two-week-old birthday balloon. “What are you talking about?”
Damn. I wasn’t planning to talk about this at school. I quickly glance around but no one seems to be paying attention. No one’s even looking at us over here at our corner table by the windows.
I suck in a deep breath and brace myself. Why am I embarrassed? I didn’t do anything wrong. I certainly didn’t encourage Wesley’s gross behavior.
“Come on, Molly. Spill,” Hayden insists.
“Nothing.” I shrug like it’s no big deal, trying to hang onto my dignity with my fingertips. “Wesley said some gross stuff at the party.”
“He was drunk.”
Sure, that explains it. I barely hold back another eyeroll. I lean toward her and motion for her to do the same. “He got grabby with me.” Heat explodes over my cheeks. “And point-blank asked me to suck his dick.” The last part comes out as a forceful whisper.
Hayden bursts out laughing.
My embarrassment quickly shifts into anger. “It’s not funny.”
Hayden blinks, her expression unreadable for a moment. “Come on, Molly. Seriously? Wesley? Are you sure you didn’t misinterpret things? He’s always been so nice. And he’s crazy about you.”
He’s crazy all right. Crazy disgusting.
My heart sinks at her reaction. Like it’s no big deal. Or I’m overreacting. Frustration and hurt churn together in my chest. “Maybe it was the alcohol,” I concede, even though I don’t believe that for one second. “But he made me super uncomfortable.”
“He’s flirty. I’m sure he didn’t really mean he wanted you to blow him.”
I stare her dead in the eyes. “He offered to come on my tits if I didn’t ‘feel like swallowing.’”
That truth bomb lands with a sizzle. Hayden sits there, speechless.
“Yeah, okay,” she says after a few seconds of uncomfortable silence. “That’s a bit much.” Her nose wrinkles. “Eww.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Well, what do you want me to do?” she whines. “I really like Wade.”
“Nothing.” I hold my hands in the air. “I’m putting you on notice—don’t expect us to all double-date. Wade’s brother is a walking red flag, and I don’t want to be alone with him again.”
“Okay, okay. Sheesh. Calm down.” She blows out a breath.
Her dismissive attitude stings. But at least it’s cured the guilt I felt about leaving her party early.
“Forget about him.” She continues. “I only wanted you two to hook up so Griff would find out another older guy was interested in you. Then, he’d come to his senses.”
I’m sure in her head that makes sense. But that’s not the kind of relationship I want with Griff—one based on childish jealousy. “Sure,” I mumble, just to move on from this topic. I wish I’d never said a word.
Kyla slams her tray down on the table next to Hayden. “I’m so done.” She throws herself into a chair. “I can’t wait to jet outta here for good.”
Same, girl, same.
Darcy pulls out the chair next to me, making a less dramatic entrance. She sits and greets me with a quick elbow bump. I flash a faint smile at her.