Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 88080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
It feels like a lifetime ago when I hated his fucking guts and wanted to drown his ass.
“We gave him such shit,” I mutter. “That’s all your fault, you know.”
“Like I was supposed to know I was into him,” he says in exasperation. “All I ever knew up until he showed up was chicks. Shit got weird as I figured out what the fuck was going on with me. Sorry I dragged you along with me.”
“All that matters is you did figure it out. The rat’s cool in my book. I promise I won’t try to drown him ever again.” I place my hand over my chest over my heart and flash him a wicked grin.
“I taught his ass to swim,” he reveals. “Don’t touch my husband or I’ll cut your balls off.”
I wonder if his sister is off-limits too and what the fuck he’d do if he knew I’d touched her…
“Backtracking to your days before the rat,” I say, leaning in to make eye contact with him. “You haven’t seen Sidney? At all? Like around town?”
All humor fades from his face. “What is your obsession with Sidney? You always hated her. Three years later and suddenly you’re wanting to reminisce about her? Drop it, man.”
“She has a kid.”
“Yeah,” he grumbles. “So what? I heard she and the nerd have another one on the way too.”
“Have you seen him?”
“The nerd?”
“No, moron, Sebban.”
His eyes sear into me. “Nope.”
“You should catch up. Have dinner with them.”
“Jordy…”
“Roan,” I bite out. “Just… I think you should see the kid.”
His face pales. “I don’t like what you’re fucking insinuating right now.”
“I’m not insinuating shit. I’m just saying you should invite them to Campfire Chaos or say hi. Just one meeting, man.”
He’s still scowling at me when Roux walks into the kitchen. I lean back in my chair, my eyes darting over to her. She’s wearing shorts that show off her skinny legs and an oversized hoodie. Her hair is messy, but she’s still cute as hell.
“I’ll say hi,” Roan agrees. “You gonna back off and not mention it again?”
I pretend to zip my lips. He visibly relaxes before standing up to go greet Roux. She squeals when he tickles her and then they start chatting about everything they didn’t get to talk about last night. She mentions her English teacher is really cool. He tells her about the arsonist. I take note she doesn’t look at me or mention snow cones or the fact I picked her up. Nope. It’s like she’s pretending I don’t exist.
“I’m going to grab a quick shower. I can make you something when I get out,” he tells Roux.
She laughs, the sound melodic and enchanting. “I’m grown, Roan. I can pour my own cereal now.”
His smile for her lights up the entire apartment. “We can pretend you’re still a needy-ass ten-year-old who can’t reach the top cabinet.” He pokes at her with his finger. “Oh…that’s right. You still can’t reach the top cabinet.”
“Get lost, dickhead,” she grumbles, fighting a grin.
He laughs. “Don’t say dickhead.”
“I’m about to call you a lot more than dickhead if you don’t take that cheesy smile away from me,” she playfully gripes. “It’s too early for your nonsense.”
He messes up her hair and then jumps out of the way before she can swat at him. As soon as he disappears into the bathroom, I rise from the table and stalk into the kitchen where she’s unsuccessfully trying to reach for the cereal box. I crowd her from behind, lifting my arm easily to grab the box. Her body heat warms the front of me. It takes everything in me not to pull her to my chest and nuzzle my nose in her hair.
“Looking for this?” I ask, lowering the box in front of her.
She jerks it from my hand and slams it down on the countertop. As she starts to step away, I slide an arm around her waist and indulge in inhaling her sweet scent.
“Can we talk?” I murmur.
“What’s there to say?”
“Well, for starters, I’m sorry I made you angry.”
“It is what it is.”
Gripping her hips, I turn her around to face me. Hurt shines from behind the lenses of her glasses in her coppery eyes that won’t exactly meet mine.
“Roux, I’m sorry.” I lean forward and kiss her forehead. “Please look at me.”
This stubborn girl refuses.
Gently, I grip her jaw, tilting her head up. Anger chases away the hurt as she glowers at me. So fucking cute. I rub my thumb over her lip.
“You make my life difficult,” I rumble. “You know that?”
She scoffs. “Likewise, buddy.”
Without thinking, I drop down and press a kiss to her lips. It’s as natural as breathing. Her fury has melted away as she smiles prettily at me.
“You’re so beautiful,” I murmur. “It’s hard not to do the things I really want to do to you right now.”