Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“Actually, wait. Don’t answer that. Come over, and we can talk about it here.”
Yes. Okay. Sure. Wanna remind me I’m not bad at sex? “I shouldn’t…”
“I think you should. Plus, Puck misses you.”
“Puck is a cat who probably hates everyone and doesn’t even know me.”
“He wouldn’t be fond of you if he heard you say that. We’ll pretend it didn’t happen. Come over.”
I search for another excuse. “It’s late.”
“You’ll be home by midnight, Cinderella. Especially considering it’s eight fifteen. Is it past your bedtime?”
My pulse is still running a marathon, and my dumb lips pull into a smile. Why does he have this effect on me? “You’re not funny.”
“Then stop smiling.”
My hand flies up and slaps my mouth as though I need to cover my grin because Rylan can see me. How does he know? “I wasn’t smiling.”
“Sure you weren’t, cutie.”
“Are you going to keep calling me that?”
“Unless you tell me to stop.”
I should, but I don’t. “Fine. I’m on my way.”
“I’ll be here.”
“I sure hope so.”
“Are you going to hang up and drive now?” The smirk in his voice is clear through the line.
“I hate you.”
“No you don’t.”
No, I actually don’t, but all I say is, “See you soon.”
I end the call, then hurry and drive to Rylan’s, much more excited than I should be.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Rylan
I’ve been thinking about Hayes going to see the Jilted Exes all evening. Should I call them that? I’m not sure what else to call them, and it’s the name Hayes uses. But anyway, it’s been killing me not to message and check in on him, see how it’s going because even though I haven’t known Hayes long, it would be impossible not to see that sometimes he gets into his own way. He expects everything to go badly, so it’s almost like he sets himself up for that to happen. Or at least doesn’t try because he already has it in his mind how the situation will go.
I really do think the three of them connecting is a good thing. No one wants to feel alone, especially in a situation like theirs, and Hayes really needs more people in his life. Now he has me—friend me and sex-partner me. I want to keep this friendship going with him when we stop hooking up. Hayes could really use his life being shaken up a bit, and I’m just the guy to do it.
I walk over to where Puck is lying on the chair and pet his head. “You’re lazy, do you know that?” He looks up at me with one eye closed and the other open, telling me I fucked up his nap. “Our friend is coming over. Be nice.”
He does give me a quick rub on the hand with his head before lying down again, just as my doorbell rings and a stupid smile pulls at my lips. Hayes is so fucking fun. I can’t wait to talk to him tonight.
I unlock the door and let him in. He’s in a navy polo shirt and slacks, all cute and proper the way he always dresses. Me, on the other hand, I’m shirtless and free-balling it in Rebels shorts with a hole in the leg.
As he takes a step inside, I say, “Hey, cutie,” and somehow the tip of his shoe gets caught and he trips.
I catch him, laughing as he pulls away, scowling. “You did that on purpose.”
“Called you cute? Yep. You did the tripping yourself.” I close the door behind him. “Want a drink or anything?”
“No, I’m okay.” He walks over to the chair where Puck is sitting and gives him some pets. My traitor cat doesn’t give him the evil eye the way he does with me, instead giving Hayes a whole lot of love. “How are you?”
“Fucking fantastic. Did you watch my game?” I cross my arms.
“I’m not answering that.”
“Please? I need to hear the words. You gotta help me build my ego a little.”
“Your ego is the last thing you need to build.”
Chuckling, I move closer. “You might have a point. Still…” I reach out, grab his waist, and hold on. “Tell me.” I kiss the left side of his throat. “Did my good-luck charm watch my game?” I move my mouth to the other side and kiss there as well, then run my nose along the column of his throat, breathing him in.
“Yes,” he lets out breathlessly, before seeming to catch how he sounds. “It’s the most ridiculous game I’ve ever seen.”
I chuckle, pull him with me, still holding on to his waist, then sit on the couch. Hayes plops down on my lap. He almost immediately scrambles off.
“What are you doing, Rylan?”
“Nothing. I like flirting with you, is all. It’s fun. I like to make you react. But I’ll be good so you can tell me about your night.”