Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 147021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 735(@200wpm)___ 588(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 735(@200wpm)___ 588(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
“Hell has a special place for us.” Rix hands me a margarita.
That I need a drink before a coffee date says a lot about my expectations for the impending hour. It shouldn’t even be a big deal. I see Jameson all the time. We have classes together, and we’re always working on group projects, but for some reason labeling this as a date has me all angsty and flustered. He’s the kind of guy my dad wants for me.
“Hell will roll out the red carpet for you, my dear,” Hemi says dryly. “Tristan was in a particularly good mood today, which I assume means some produce met an untimely end last night.”
“This morning, actually. RIP cucumber.” Rix grins.
“I thought you were joking about the produce.” Tally looks horrified.
“I am.”
“She is.”
Hemi, Rix, and I are in perfect harmony.
Dred arches an eyebrow.
“Oh my God. You’re not.” Tally looks to Hemi. “Can I have a sip of that?”
“No.” Hemi sets her margarita on the table and looks away.
Rix and I do the same. Sort of on topic and with my confidence up, I take the opportunity to tell her the truth about how thin the walls are.
“Speaking of your sex life, I didn’t want to tell you, but I feel like if I don’t…” I whisper in her ear.
“Oh God.” Her eyes go wide. “What did I do?”
“So, uh, it turns out, the walls are thinner than we thought. During away games—” I cough. “I can, uh, I can hear you get to the good part.”
“No.” She slaps a palm over her mouth.
“It’s not a big deal.”
She grabs my arm, and I’m shocked to see she’s close to tears. “But it is. My brother used to—” She gives her head a quick shake. “I am so, so sorry, Hammer. You’ve been dealing with this for months.”
“I went up to my dad’s or Hollis’s. It gave me time with his cats.”
“Never again, though.” She pokes her chest. “I’ll wait for you to be out. Or be quieter. I’m just so sorry.”
I hug her. “It is absolutely okay. I wasn’t upset at you at all. But I want you to have your privacy and to feel free.”
“If we ever make you uncomfortable, you have to swear to tell me,” she whispers.
“Swear.” And link pinkies. “I just want you to be happy. Proud of you.” I bump her shoulder.
Tally sneaks another sip. The joke’s on her though, because Hemi’s margarita is like Tally: a virgin. But it makes her feel badass when she thinks we let her sneak sips of alcoholic beverages. Bless her adorable, sweet, seventeen-year-old heart.
“I’ll change my shirt.” I head to my bedroom.
“Just change your bra. I have a great shirt you can borrow.” Rix disappears into her bedroom.
A minute later I return to the living room, wearing only my favorite bra.
“Oh, wow!” Tally’s eyes go wide.
“That bra is a winner, and I need six.” Dred gives me a double thumbs-up.
“The bra makes them look more substantial. I’m a modest B-cup. Except when I have my period; then I’m a serious B-cup,” I explain.
Tally taps her lips. “Can we go bra shopping one day? I only have sports bras and plain black and nude bras.”
“Absolutely. We’ll plan a trip.” I’m built very much like my mom with my dad’s ridiculous metabolism. It means I’m lean, without a lot going on in the boob department. When I was in high school, some of the girls made fun of me because I was skinny and a late bloomer. I’d really hoped puberty would help a girl out, but my boobs never grew into my body. I do have a butt, thank God.
“You’re built like an athlete. There’s nothing wrong with that,” Hemi says. She has curves for days.
“Our bodies are beautiful exactly as they are.” It’s what my mom always says. I know she’s right, even when it’s hard. The bra does a good job making what I have work for me. And I can always go braless, if I want. Except when it’s really cold and my nipples can cut glass.
“I have two options.” Rix does a double take. “Holy hell, that bra is truly magical.”
“I know. It’s my favorite forever.” I should stockpile a few in case they stop making them.
Rix tosses her shirts over her shoulder. “Can I?” She raises a cupped hand.
“Oh yeah, go for it.” I motion for her to go ahead.
She pushes at the fabric. “Oh, that’s nice. It’s soft padding.”
Tally raises her hand. “Can I also feel?”
“Yeah. For sure. Hemi? Dred? You want in?”
Dred shrugs. “Might as well.”
“Damn, there’s nothing better than a soft supportive bra that seriously fits.” Rix’s eyes are wide in awe.
“Girl, I’m trying to rein these babies in on a regular basis.” Hemi motions to her ample rack.
Dred comments on the excellent support while checking out the straps.