Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“You got it bad. Even after all this time?”
“I don’t really know him anymore, so I guess I can’t really be in love with him, can I? And I was a kid before, so I’m sure it was a ridiculous crush.” I didn’t really believe any of the things I was telling Josh. “He invited me over tonight, so I’ll probably realize he’s awful and picks his nose or something, and the magic will be gone.”
Josh sighed. “Just be careful, okay? I’ve never seen you like this, and no matter what, remember this is the guy who let you blow him and then bailed on you, without a word for ten years. Oh, while he happened to continue talking to your brother. Do you think he’s into Griff?”
My heart stopped beating—just curled the fuck up and died. “I’ve wondered… Oh my God, do you think he’s in love with my brother?” Jesus, I couldn’t imagine it. I mean, I was almost a hundred percent sure Griff identified as straight, but then, who the fuck really knew? He’d always cared about Chase in ways he didn’t with others.
“I don’t know. You know the guy, not me. Seemed like a bit of an asshole to me.”
“Maybe that’s because you were being one to him?” I cocked a brow at Josh.
“Eh, he should have known he had it coming. I’m not going to let him hurt my boy.”
He meant boy in the dude-bro way, not the sexy one.
I rolled my eyes and chatted with him for a while longer before telling him I had to go. Chase texted me his address, and I told him I’d be there around seven. I went home first and douched and showered because you never could be too prepared. Maybe this time I’d be the one to walk away from Chase instead of the other way around. I put on my lucky underwear, favorite jeans with the hole in the knee, and a sky-blue V-neck.
Chase lived on the outskirts of Havenwood, in a cabin down a long driveway and secluded from the world. It reminded me of his house growing up, except without all the broken-down cars and old shit in the yard that his dad collected; well, and the house was in much better shape too. It looked like it had a large deck out back, which didn’t surprise me. Chase had always been an outdoorsy guy, hiking and all that shit.
Fuck, I couldn’t believe I was nervous. There was a part of me that wanted to drive away, that didn’t want to give Chase the time of day. I couldn’t believe he’d invited me in the first place. What would Griff say if he knew we were hanging out without him? I assumed he’d be relieved because I obviously couldn’t get into trouble if Chase was on babysitting duty.
The door opened. Chase came out and leaned against the railing, crossing his arms. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I whimpered. He’d showered too—his hair was wet—and he wore a tank that was tight across the muscles of his chest. His arms…fuck, his arms were nice. I’d always had a thing for those, especially forearms, which I thought came from Chase arm porn as a kid.
But I wasn’t that kid anymore, was I? Which was why I took a deep breath, told myself I was stronger than this—that I wouldn’t revert back to that boy who thought Chase Hawthorne hung the moon—and got out of the car.
“Got excited waiting for me?” I teased.
“If you say so.” He gave me a simple nod, but I noticed the right side of his mouth curled up slightly. He was trying to hold back a grin.
“I do. Though one might wonder…what would Griffin do? Or think? I usually wear my bracelet to remind myself, but I forgot it at home.”
Chase didn’t seem to think that was funny and frowned.
“Relax. We’re watching a movie and eating food. Griff would approve. I checked.”
“You asked your brother before you came over?”
“Oh God, no. It was a joke. You know, funny, ha-ha. You really don’t know me at all anymore. Are you going to show me your place or what?”
Chase shook his head as if he wasn’t sure what to do or think, then pushed off the railing, opened the door, and stepped aside.
“Such a gentleman.” I played it off as a joke, but Chase was and always had been that kind of guy. He would have been the troubled kid in an after-school special, who helped the elderly across the street and got kittens out of trees, but then secretly let his best friend’s brother blow him.
I walked into what was basically the definition of man cave. All dark colors, brown leather furniture, and reclining chairs on each end of the couch. His coffee table looked to be one of those where the top pulled up so you could conveniently eat and watch a game at it. The television was the centerpiece, a big-ass flat-screen on the wall, which of course had ESPN on in the background.