Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 148704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 744(@200wpm)___ 595(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 744(@200wpm)___ 595(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
“I guess I can take the couch,” Memphis says as I pass him, almost huffing the words.
“Then my bed would be empty.” I stop, locking my gaze with his.
He stares back for a long beat. “Right. You’re actually with my sister.”
I don’t acknowledge him but start moving again.
It’s not until I’m seconds away from closing myself in the room with my girl that he speaks again.
“Think that’s smart?” he quips, a hint of objection in his tone.
My head snaps over my shoulder, glare sharp and instant.
Memphis stands at the end of the hall, glaring right back, so I meet the motherfucker where he’s at. Chest to fucking chest, but my eyes are two inches higher.
“In a perfect world, you never would have knocked on this door.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt it.” He smirks. “Too bad she’s really happy to have me.”
I want to wrap my hands around his neck and squeeze until his face is as blue as the circles beneath his eyes, as the bruises he thinks I didn’t see on his arm.
“Don’t fuck with me, Memphis. Nothing is like it was four years ago when you tucked your tail between your legs and ran. Nothing.”
He stares, face blank, but eyes searching, and then suddenly, he laughs, tapping my arm with his hand. “I’m playing, Crew, damn. I’m just happy to be here, see her and find you.”
Find me…
My eyes narrow, but he’s oblivious.
“Anyway, I’m gonna hit the sack. I haven’t slept in a bed for far too long.”
His hand comes up, clasping onto my shoulder for a split second before he steps away.
I stand frozen long after the door clicks in place… and just like that, everything else does too.
I watched the sun creep through the patio doors, having tossed and turned all night, but I must have managed to knock out right after because the next thing I know, I’m reaching across the bed, finding nothing but a pillow.
She left me in bed.
Pushing to my feet, I drag my hands down my face and glance at my phone.
My brows jump. Damn. It’s almost one.
Not bothering with a shirt, I step out of the room, headed to find my girl, and I must have been anxious, but too tired to realize it, as the second I see her, a heavy exhale pushes past my lips.
She’s balanced on the couch, laughing at something Memphis says, and as I round the corner, slipping into full view, his words die in his throat, my girl peeking over her shoulder in the same second.
The irritation threatening to show itself disappears when she hits me with a wide and warm smile, instantly pushing to her feet and padding across the floor to meet me halfway.
“Hey,” she whispers, an apology in her tone.
I know why it’s there. Do I hate that he was the first person who got to see her smile this morning, fuck yeah, but it’s not like she snuck out of bed for a private conversation she wanted to hide from me, and even if she did, I shouldn’t be pissed. I would be, but that’s the irrational, jealous side of me. The hint of sanity I somehow have when it comes to her manages to understand she needs quiet time with her brother, but I know her. She doesn’t want me to feel like I’m being left out or cast aside. She’s too sweet like that. Maybe the younger me would feel exactly that, but I’m not a punk kid anymore and Davis is no longer the untouchable girl across the hall.
Yet, you’re tripping like a little bitch, too many thoughts and possibilities racing through your mind…
Still, she has nothing to apologize for, so I force a smile, wrap her up, and lower my lips to her forehead. “Morning, baby,” I whisper.
“Morning.” She melts into me, hugging what looks like a cup of cocoa in her hands. “I was going to make breakfast, but we’re out of milk, and apparently, everything I have requires it.”
“You mean you only wanted pancakes or waffles or French toast?”
Her grin is instant, and it’s her who pushes on her toes, bringing her mouth to mine.
Fuck yes.
“That’s exactly what I mean.” She laughs, her lips meeting mine, on a slow sigh.
“I told her we could go get it right quick,” Memphis pipes up.
My muscles tense before I can stop them, and Davis lowers to her feet.
“I didn’t want you to wake up, and us be gone.” She shrugs one shoulder.
I press my thumb to her chin, sliding it along her jaw. “Thank you for that.”
“Man, forget the milk,” Memphis breaks in again. “I’m shocked she owns a coffeepot.”
“She didn’t.” Without saying it, I tell him it’s mine.
She’s mine.
He pretends he didn’t hear me.
Reluctantly, I release Davis, whispering for only her to hear, “I’m going to take a shower if you want to join me.”