Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
“Girl, you’re mooning like a sick little puppy,” Charlie says, leaning on her elbow over the porch railing as we watch him from behind a shady tree. He can’t see us from this angle, but we have a magnificent view of him.
“You saw how he was yesterday,” I remind her of his easy dismissal. “He wanted to get rid of us as fast as humanly possible.”
“Yes, he was grumpy and in a hurry, but I also noticed that he didn’t take his eyes off you long enough for more than a second to acknowledge my presence. I would be totally offended, but seeing as you’re gorgeous and my best friend, I suppose I can forgive it.” She waves her hand as if all slights are forgotten and I have to laugh, but it’s a little loud and I draw his attention from the edge of the garage where he’s gathering some garden supplies.
“Morning, young ladies,” he states, reminding me of our age gap. Actually, I’m not sure how much older he is than me. Once Mrs. Becker mentioned him to my mother and I, showing me a picture.
I’d been too lost at how my heart thumped violently at his image to hear anything else she had to say. By the time I rejoined the conversation, my mother had already changed the subject to my schooling. Something I haven’t actually thought about in the past six months. Since I saw that picture of him, I felt like nothing mattered without him. It’s pathetic because we don’t know anything about each other and from what I’ve gathered the man doesn’t like me. Still, I haven’t been able to concentrate on any major or career path.
He’s mowing the grass and even though it’s the first day of June the heat has kicked up insanely, so he’s only wearing his tee shirt. I watch him work, and my body lights up, burning around a thousand degrees even without the sun’s intense rays.
“I have a plan.” My devilish bestie smiles at me while stealing glances at my temporary and absolutely sexy neighbor.
I lower my chin and slightly shake my head. “Oh no, girl.”
“Come on, you want his attention, and I know how to get it.” She stares at me, waiting for me to cave to her schemes.
“What do you have in mind?”
She rubs her hands together, smiling wickedly. “We’re sunbathing.” I want to tell her it’s a bad idea, but I can’t help myself. It’s not like we have to stay out long; maybe it’s not a big deal. My hot crush may not even notice out there. In fact, he might finish by the time we get set up.
“Don’t you have a home?” my brother barks from his car, slamming his door shut as he marches his way toward us.
“Don’t you?” Charlotte hisses, crossing her arms under her chest. I scowl, but then laugh at the two of them. They just can’t seem to quit fighting. They met on my first day of senior year and they have fought ever since.
“My parents actually live here,” he says.
Charlotte sticks her tongue out at him. “My bestie lives here.”
“Will you two quit it? We have some relaxing to do. It’s my last summer before I go away to college.”
“Fine, I actually have important things to do.” He walks past us and into the house.
“So damn self-important. Anyway, we have some fun things to do.”
We lay out the chairs in perfect view of my neighbor and turn on my Bluetooth speaker. Charlotte smiles when she hears the lawnmower stop. Looking at me, she mouths, “Told ya.”
I shake my head and giggle, ignoring the growing excitement building inside me. It’s not long before the loud roar of the mower kicks on. He’s back to business and goes on doing that for a half-hour, and Charlie has had enough. With a flick of her hand, my bikini comes undone. My tits are out in the open for everyone to see, but in reality, the only one who can see is Gabe. The lawnmower cuts off, and thundering footsteps pound across the pavement and then onto our side of the yard. Then a shadow covers me before his shirt lands over my chest.
“Have you lost your mind?” he hollers. I cover up, pressing his shirt to my breasts while never taking my eyes off his immaculate chest, rippling with muscles.
“It was a wardrobe malfunction. Ever happen to have heard of them?” Charlie answers. I duck my head and blush, knowing it was anything but that.
“Bullshit. I saw what you did.”
“That’s because you couldn’t take your eyes off Cat.”
“Hardly. I was watching my mom’s cat that just got out.” Just then, a meow comes from the little fluffy guy as he moves between our chairs.
Could I be any more deflated? “Oh.”
“Yes, oh. I don’t need to be looking at little girls. Now, please cover up and get inside or I’ll go and tell your parents.” I suppose I could be kicked down another notch. My parents are at work, but they plan to vacation soon since my dad’s retiring today, and I don’t want them to cancel their plans because of me.