Total pages in book: 176
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
“A bit of both I suppose.”
“Huh, okay, well, I’m going now.”
“Hold on,” he said, rubbing his jaw, and for a very brief second, I saw his mask of bravado slip and a hint of genuine curiosity show. “You like him?”
“Yes,” I told him truthfully. “I like Rhys a lot. He’s a great guy. Is that all?”
Aidan blew out a breath. “I don’t know whether to be annoyed or happy about this.”
“Excuse me?”
He shook his head, starting to smile a little as his eyes ran over me. “It’s a shame. We could’ve had some fun together, but I can’t help being made up for Rhys. He deserves to get laid.”
His assumption bothered me. “Who says he’s getting laid? I like him. That doesn’t mean we’re going to have sex.”
Now, Aidan’s expression turned knowing. “Sure, and you didn’t use me coming for you in the pool as an excuse to put your hands all over him. I’m onto you, Moretti. You want to take the lad’s innocence. He doesn’t know what he’s in for.”
His teasing tone was warm rather than mocking. But, still, I didn’t appreciate yet again being painted as some sort of vixen out to deflower poor innocent Rhys. Derek was the first to insinuate it and now Aidan. Was that how I came across? Because it certainly wasn’t how I felt. I was a virgin for crying out loud. And furthermore, was that how they saw their friend? I didn’t see Rhys that way. He might’ve been more reserved than the other boys, but the way he looked at me sometimes … I suspected he had thoughts about me that were far from pure.
“I’m not taking anyone’s innocence,” I stated. “And if Rhys didn’t want my hands all over him, he would’ve said so. Now, I’m going to shower.” With that, I continued up the stairs, hearing Aidan’s amused chuckle as I left.
What he said got me thinking, though. Derek had mentioned Rhys had never had a girlfriend. That didn’t technically mean he was a virgin, but after Aidan’s comment on his innocence, I had to believe he was. Well, that made two of us.
I showered quickly then threw on some leggings and, feeling brave, cast aside the sweater I’d been about to pull on before grabbing Rhys’ blue hoodie. I put it on, loving the feel of wearing something that belonged to him, before twisting my hair up in a knot. Hearing the doorbell ring, I noted the food had arrived, and my stomach rumbled. I was starving.
Everyone was dividing up the pizzas when I entered the kitchen. Grabbing a plate, I made brief eye contact with Rhys before taking the seat next to him. I wondered what he thought about me wearing his hoodie, not to mention kissing his cheek down by the pool. I’d never been very forward when it came to guys I’d liked. Usually, if I wasn’t being actively pursued, I just kept my feelings to myself until they eventually faded. But with Rhys, it was different. I liked him so much I couldn’t help myself.
I felt his gaze practically sizzling into me, but he didn’t comment on my attire even though I knew he’d noticed it.
After we ate, Tristan began suggesting we play a game of Hide and Seek like we used to when we were kids.
“I’m not sure you’re supposed to play that after the age of ten,” Theo said with a chuckle.
“Oh, come on! It’ll be fun. We’ll play the grown-up version.”
“What’s the grown-up version?” Rhys asked.
Tristan waggled his eyebrows. “Hide and seek in the dark.”
“I don’t like playing games in the dark,” Nuala said. “I always feel like I’m going to see a ghost. Or an axe murderer.”
“That’s what makes it exciting,” Tristan argued with a chuckle. “So, who’s in?”
I was surprised when everyone seemed to be down to play, considering all the food we’d just eaten. I only really felt like lying in bed to let the carbs absorb and wondered if I might be able to sneak away during the game. Surely, no one would try to hide in my room, right?
Derek and Rhys started clearing away the plates and pizza boxes while Tristan and Theo went about turning off all the lights in the house. I went to help with the clean-up, and as I watched Derek load dishes into the dishwasher, I started to understand something about him. Derek had the maturity of a man in his twenties rather than a nineteen-year-old. I couldn’t imagine any of the boys I went to school with cleaning up after themselves like this. Maybe it was simply a product of being the eldest. He had to be the grown up one amongst his siblings.
“All right,” Tristan said when he and Theo returned. “All the lights are off save for the ones in here. Who wants to be the seeker?”