Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 69517 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69517 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
“Good luck finding a parking spot,” I state as we pull up to the crummy dive that has the best tzatziki sauce on the planet.
Perry grumbles but I climb out and leave him to sort out his parking issues all alone. Plus, I’d like a second to see Tate before I have Perry breathing down my neck. I push past a few people walking briskly by and step into the Greek restaurant that’s rich with salty meat aromas that make my stomach growl. Tate is standing near the counter, absently scrolling on his phone. His light brown hair is messy and hangs in his eyes. Rather than his usual preppy attire, he’s wearing cargo shorts, loafers, and a navy T-shirt that’s inside out. The unkempt look suits him. Maybe adulthood is treating him well. I sure hope so.
“Long time no see,” I chirp in greeting.
He nearly drops his phone. His grin is wide as he shoves it into his pocket before bear hugging me and spinning me around. Maybe if he’d ever been this excited to see me back when we dated, I’d have enjoyed being his girlfriend more.
“Damn, Ash, you really know how to cause a ruckus.”
“I’m a good girl,” I scoff as he releases me.
“I was never fooled.” His grin is infectious. “You don’t seem like you’re letting it affect you.”
“I’m not easily rattled. You know this.” I shoot a glance over my shoulder. “My uh, boss’s brother is chaperoning me today. I left him to try and find a parking spot.”
We both snigger because there’s no way in hell he’ll find a spot on this road.
“The usual?” he asks as we each grab a tray and stand in line.
“Beef gyro no onions. But make it two. The least I can do is feed Perry after ditching him out there.”
We fall into easy conversation, checking in on each other. He went to Europe with his family for a couple weeks after graduation but is back in the city until it’s time to leave for college. It isn’t until we’re seated at a small table, waiting for our food, that Tate grows serious, his green eyes narrowing in concern.
“The news headlines said…” He trails off. “Do you want me to kill him?”
“Nah, I can handle him myself. Winston’s a great guy beneath all that asshole exterior.”
“Degradation, though?”
“We all have our kinks, I guess. He and I are both consenting adults. It’s fun.”
He considers my words for a bit. “So I was probably boring in comparison.”
“You were a good friend to me. That’s all that matters.”
“Ouch.” He doesn’t wince, though. His grin is still in place. “There’s a reason I kept you safely friend-zoned.” His cheeks flood crimson. “Let’s just say I discovered new things about myself while at a rave in Milan.”
“Oh?” I lean forward, interested in this new turn of events.
He glances around like someone might hear before leaning in and whispering, “I fooled around with a guy.”
“What?” I shriek. “Oh my God! You’re bi?!”
He gnaws on his bottom lip and absently plays with his straw wrapper. “I don’t know what I am. All I know is that it felt hotter and realer than anything I’ve ever known before.”
“We should have never slept together,” I say with a laugh.
“We were pitiful virgins. No one else would take us.”
We’re still laughing when Perry storms in looking so much like Winston it’s comical. I wave at him and give him my most innocent smile.
“Trouble finding a spot?”
He flips me off. “I just paid some random window-washing dude a thousand bucks to drive around the block a few times. You’re an asshole, Ash.”
“Oops.” I gesture at Perry. “Tate, meet Perry. Perry, meet my friend Tate.”
Perry drops into the seat next to me, his cocky, arrogant expression so over the top I want to smack him. This attitude has Winston written all over it.
“Hey, man,” Tate says, offering his hand.
Perry shakes it, a little too hard because Tate winces. “Hey.”
“We were just talking about what a freak your brother is in the bedroom,” I explain, noting the quirk of amusement on Perry’s lips.
Tate kicks me under the table and I scowl at him.
“So,” Perry rumbles, his penetrating stare on Tate. “Tell me what it is you’re doing here with my brother’s girl.”
“Oh my God,” I groan. “Stop or go get back in the orange abomination.”
“I was hoping we could be friends again. Though, Scout said—”
“Scout is laid up in a hospital bed, both his knees broken, and looking at jail time for reckless driving while under the influence.” Perry narrows his eyes. “I wouldn’t listen to a damn word a Mannford says.”
Tate gapes at me, fear glimmering in his green eyes. “I, uh, I’m not—”
“Ignore Perry. He’s found the stick that was in his big brother’s ass and decided to sit on it.”