Total pages in book: 200
Estimated words: 189898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 760(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 189898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 760(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
One of our songs started playing through the speakers, and listening to Calvin’s insane riff was the first drop of grief I’ve felt since he died. As much as I hated him even after death, I couldn’t deny his gift.
“Can we change the song?” Braxton grumbled from the back seat. “No offense, but I get enough of you guys when we’re playing.”
“You mean us,” Houston corrected, darkness edging his tone. He even risked taking his attention off the road to pin Braxton with his gaze. “You’re Bound now, or should I find a more effective way to remind you?”
I think everyone held their breath as they waited for her response. When it came, she didn’t disappoint. She never did. Sarcasm and defiance were her weapons of choice. It didn’t take us long to learn, but we were still figuring out how to know better.
“I don’t know,” Braxton mocked. She sounded deceptively pliable. “I think the hundred and fifteenth time is the charm. Why don’t you remind me again?”
Sinking lower in my seat, I turned my head toward the window to hide the smile playing on my lips.
I just knew she was batting those big, brown eyes at Houston and daring him to do something about it. I was itching to turn in my seat and see for myself, but I didn’t want her to think that I was helping Houston back her against another wall.
Not this time.
Not when she made my knees this weak.
“Maybe Braxton should deejay,” Lo suggested, breaking the tension. Houston had already refocused on the road. Since he was strangling the steering wheel, I knew the conversation wasn’t over. At least for them. He’d resume it the moment he got her alone. “We all know Morrow only likes the sound of his own voice.”
I couldn’t help myself this time, so I peered into the back seat and found Braxton cutting her gaze at Loren. I also spotted the hickey he’d left on her neck right next to Houston’s and mine.
“Why me?” she asked him when no one objected.
I couldn’t tell if she was nervous about sharing her music choices or too smart to think that Loren was up to any good.
Maybe it was a little of both.
She didn’t want us figuring her out because of what we might do with that information. Someone should have told her that she couldn’t peer into our minds without baring a little of herself in return.
I see you.
Loren paused his brooding to focus on Brax. He licked his lips as he watched her as if he could already taste her tears. Or maybe he had something else in mind. If he only knew how good she tasted.
“Why not? Afraid we’ll find out that you secretly love the Backstreet Boys? I suppose you think “I Want it That Way” was the greatest love song ever written.”
“No,” she returned, sounding confident even when Loren was forcing her to play defense. “But I do think “Goodbye Earl” is pretty killer.”
“‘Goodbye Earl,’” I echoed from shotgun. “Isn’t that a song about a woman who killed her husband?”
Braxton shrugged, still staring at Loren.
I need you to notice me.
My head had my heart all twisted up. The feeling only intensified when Braxton finally looked my way. Her attention was like phantom fingers tiptoeing down my spine. Goose bumps appeared on my skin just as those full, red lips of hers moved. “I said it was killer.”
She smiled at me like I deserved the privilege.
My heart skipped a beat while warmth filled my belly. Braxton must have read it on my face because her smile disappeared, and then she was pulling out her phone. I watched her tap the screen a few times, and after helping her connect her phone to the car using Bluetooth, Tool’s “Sober” spilled through the speakers.
Unable to forget her confession four days ago, the lyrics took hold with an icy grip. They did their job and left only a warning.
I’m no good for you.
Braxton stared at me until she was satisfied that I’d gotten the message. Her red hair became a veil shielding her expression as she stared out her window. I could reach out my hand and touch her easily, yet she’d never felt so far away. Shifting my body forward, I rested my head against the back of the seat before closing my eyes.
I wouldn’t listen.
I never did.
Emily hadn’t warned me away like Braxton just tried to, but my friends did.
No one spoke again for the rest of the drive. We were too distracted, dissecting the lyrics of each song she played. We hit up the zoo first after Braxton admitted she’d never been. I didn’t even want to know how someone reached adulthood without ever visiting a zoo. Even a petting one would have counted.
Xavier had made some calls and was able to get the place shut down for a couple of hours. Braxton’s excitement level, which had been stuck on neutral, revved once we got inside, and she saw the first exhibit.