Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 85484 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85484 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
“Can you not call me that in front of people?”
I glare at him and then look at the cop. “What are you doing here?”
Skylar Schultz went to high school with Maddox. I don’t really know him, just know of him. And I know that he can be a prick when he wants to be.
As we all can.
“I’m just here doing a well check,” Skylar says. “We got a call that you weren’t responding and someone needed to make sure you were okay.”
My face falls. I whip my gaze to my brother.
Banks holds a finger in the air and takes a step back. “Don’t assume it was me.”
“Of course, it was you.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Banks.” I hold out my hands in frustration. “What in the ever-loving fuck are you thinking? You’re wasting the police’s time because I didn’t answer the door?”
He frowns. “So you were ignoring me?”
I jam my finger at him. If a cop weren’t standing ten feet away from me, I’d probably knock Banks out. “You crossed a line tonight.”
Skylar grips the cords on his chest and rocks back on his heels, watching the show.
“Me?” Banks asks incredulously. “If you were in there dead, you’d be changing your tune.”
“I’m not dead. I’m alive. I’m fine. I’m ready to kick your fucking ass.” I turn to Skylar. “I’m really sorry. My brother is a fool.”
“A fool?” Banks gasps. “You do realize that no one else in this family cared about you tonight, right? Where’s Moss? Where’s Mad—off with his little wife?” He rolls his eyes. “Where’s Foxx? They. Aren’t. Here. But I am.”
I don’t know what it is about Banks, but somehow, someway—even during his shenanigans—it’s hard to be mad at him. Sometimes.
“Again, Skylar, I’m sorry about this. I don’t know what else to say.”
Skylar’s face is blank.
Shit.
“What were you doing in there that was so important that you couldn’t answer the door?” Banks asks.
“That’s none of your damn business.”
“Pippa isn’t here. So what? I just get written off now? I’m a nobody?”
I sigh. “Banks, I have to get packed. I can’t do this with you and that—this—is why I didn’t answer the door.”
He lifts a brow. “Packing? For what?”
“Pip and I are going out of town in the morning.”
“On a work day?”
“What are you, my father?”
Skylar tries not to smile.
Banks blows out a breath angrily. “So that’s it, then. You’re going to leave me too.”
“I don’t …” I shake my head. “This doesn’t even make any sense.”
He adjusts the box in his hands.
“What’s in that?” I ask.
He peers inside the container. “My high school wrestling trophies from my bedroom at Mom’s.”
Huh? “And why do you have them in a box?”
“Because she told me this morning that I can’t have the Amazon password. So I called to get it from Paige, and she said Mom said I can’t have it, and Paige can’t help me jailbreak it.” He looks at Skylar and sucks in a breath. “Is that disrespectful to call it jailbreaking in front of you?”
Skylar smirks. “It’s fine. Keep going. This is entertaining as hell.”
Banks turns back to me. “So if Mom doesn’t want to act like a mom and share her passwords, then she doesn’t get to keep my trophies.”
What? I run a hand down my face. What is happening here?
Just a few minutes ago, I was relaxed and ready to go to Silver Springs with Pippa in the morning. And now I’m on the front porch, with Banks and a cop, listening to Banks complain about Mom’s Amazon password.
What is this life?
“I can’t. I’m done,” I say shaking my head. “Skylar, again, I apologize. But at this point, if you want to arrest me, go ahead because at least I won’t have to be with Banks in the back of your car.”
Skylar turns his head to Banks. Banks slyly looks at Skylar. And together, they laugh.
I recoil, not sure I understand what’s going on.
Why are they laughing?
Are they laughing at me?
“What’s going on?” I ask, my teeth grinding together.
“Jess, I’m sorry,” Skylar says, still laughing. “I told Banks I’d come by tonight and pick up the keys to my wife’s car. He did me a favor this week and took a look at it. They couldn’t figure it out at Mike’s Mechanic in town, so Banks said he’d give it a look.”
“So you thought you’d … what? Pretend Banks called in an emergency because I wouldn’t answer the door?”
“Well, I was here anyway and it kinda worked out,” Skylar says. “We were just playing around.”
“Cool.” I flip my gaze to my brother. He walks backward, his eyes round as saucers. “I’m going to kick your ass.”
“No. Love you. Be safe on your trip tomorrow.” He makes his way down the sidewalk toward Skylar’s car with Skylar on his heels. “And text me if you know Mom’s password.”