Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 111038 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 555(@200wpm)___ 444(@250wpm)___ 370(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111038 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 555(@200wpm)___ 444(@250wpm)___ 370(@300wpm)
My friends and I were at Manny’s this afternoon, a popular hangout pub/diner place. The owners were cool, and as long as we didn’t get into fights and kept ordering food, they let us chill here. The back room had pool tables and other games, but it was currently filled with Roussou kids, so our group took over the front section.
This was day three of partying.
Monday had been at Zeke’s. Tuesday, we went cliff diving. Not everyone dove, but I loved that shit. That’s mostly all I did, and I was almost thankful Aspen turned me down when I asked her to go. I was able to dive to my heart’s content and not worry about her being worried for me.
Now it was Wednesday, and it was turning into a full day at Manny’s. Kids from Fallen Crest Public were here too, but I didn’t pay attention to them. I had my boys, and I was holding true to my promise to Aspen. Until I knew what she and I were doing, my hands would stick to her and her alone. I was counting down the hours until I could head over to see her. I hadn’t been there since Sunday, and Sunday night to Wednesday is a long fucking time.
I was jonesing for some Aspen time.
I was also jonesing to leave Manny’s since the Roussou kids were getting rowdy. I saw two of my brother’s friends across the room, so I knew it was a matter of time before Cross and Bren showed up.
“Yo.” Zeke held up his hand, waiting for my fist to pound it before he slipped into the seat next to me.
I’d been nursing a mixed drink for the last hour—not that it was a mixed drink when I’d ordered it, but it became mixed at the table.
“What’s up?” I asked.
Zeke had been cool all week, but I knew he was curious about the Wagon chick. That’s what he was calling Aspen. I was prepared for that line of questioning when he threw me for a loop.
“Is your sister still good with that boyfriend of hers?”
Wait.
What?
“The fuck is that your business?”
I might’ve said that a bit more harshly than needed, and Zeke knew it. His knowing grin turned smug, and he nodded toward the parking lot.
“She’s coming up with her friends, and she’s solo. Your sister is hot. She’s going to get noticed.”
I was perplexed, but that was all he said. He slid back into his seat, but then leaned over again. “Oh hey.”
What now? I was still thrown by the sister comment.
“If you slide out of here before I see you again, I’m organizing a trip on my dad’s yacht. We’ll leave tomorrow after school, skip Friday since it’s a useless day for us, and come back Sunday morning.”
“Graduation is that afternoon.”
“I know.” He flashed me a grin. “It’s a really long end-of-the-year party. I think we’re due, right?”
“A yacht, huh? We have a limit on how many are invited?”
He cocked his head, side-eyeing me with a way more smug smirk than I wanted to see on his face. Ever. I was about to tell him to drop it or I was going to wipe it off him when he broke out smiling. “How about we do you, me, and your mystery girl, and I’ll make sure Conway and Ashlome don’t have Daniels as their plus one.”
“How many, Zeke?”
That meant they’d invite Penny, Ria, or one of the other girls in that group—all of whom had nails and were mean as hell.
I didn’t like what he was doing. I knew his dad’s yacht could only comfortably sleep eight. He was forcing me into a situation where I had to bring Aspen or go on a trip without her, and I didn’t want to do that.
“I won’t come unless I know who else is coming.”
“Come on.” He groaned, tipping his head backward.
Penny and Ria were heading over, and I knew this conversation was a waste. “I’m out.”
“What?” Zeke’s mouth dropped open before he caught himself. “You’re being a bitch, man.”
I was reaching for my wallet when I heard that. I was in his face in a heartbeat. “Don’t you fucking speak to me like that.”
A sudden hush fell around us.
Zeke’s eyes went hard, and a mask slammed over his face, but he didn’t move.
I was breathing on him, but he didn’t lean back.
His words were low, and I heard the warning in them. “Don’t do this, bruh. You’re disrespecting me.”
“You did this.” God, I wanted to tap his chest, but I refrained.
That was my crazy side, but I wasn’t one of his bitches, and according to him, that’s why he liked me.
“And you’re continuing to do this,” I added. “You don’t think I know what you’re doing? A yacht trip, and I’m supposed to bring my woman when you know the other girls will rip her apart? You think I like being in that place? Being put there by my ‘best bud’?”