Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 50770 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50770 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Quinn rolls his eyes. “Maybe sell a Grammy instead?”
Demetri grins. “This is so much more pure and fun, hey, take this…” He grabs the five and hands it back to Quinn. “Go get ice cream or some shit, avoid the birds at all costs, they’re aggressive this year, and go for a walk.” He eyes me up and down. “You picked a good one.”
I’m stunned. “How do you two even—“
“—Cousins.” Quinn shrugs. “Like twice removed or whatever we figured out last time we got wasted on Mountain Dew.” He fist bumps Demetri, a dude from one of the biggest bands in the world that has a house in Seaside right next to Zane, what is even happening?
They bro hug as bros do and then we’re walking toward the beach and I’m taking off my shoes and staring up at Quinn like he’s this… subject I need to study. “How do you know famous people?”
He smirks, then frowns down at me. “Um, well, you heard, I’m actually related to one, and the thing about Seaside Oregon? They’re all best friends, all the famous actors, all the famous singers, they came here for a freaking break and if you know one you know them all, it’s how I recognized Zane earlier. Plus, also, they’re actually the coolest ever. I only ever went to two dinners, but it was enough to set me up for life as far as entertainment. They don’t get wasted, too many kids, too much drama, they even have ties into the mafia, but don’t tell anyone I said that.”
I stumble. “The mafia?”
He shrugs. “Snitches get stitches.”
“What is this day?”
Quinn pulls out his phone. “It is the Saturday of my near death, one because of falling from the sky, and the other from getting a taste of you.” He kicks the sand. “Ice cream my ass, you already licked me dry.”
I stumble again, this time he catches me. How does he smell so good? I’ve always hated cologne, it felt like this toxic cloud of chemicals, but with Quinn it smells masculine and soft at the same time. Like a vanilla cinnamon latte.
His hands wrap around my waist. “What has you so stunned? Oh God, please tell me you didn’t step on a jelly.”
“A jelly?” I finally find my voice. “Are you nicknaming the jellyfish now?”
“It took less time to say, and I wanted to use my mouth for other nefarious purposes.”
I smile up at him and wrap my arms around his neck. “So, you want to use your mouth for…”
“On. If we’re being specific.” His smile could not be more sexy. My hair whips around my face from the wind on the beach, it’s not exactly warm the closer we get to the ocean, but he is, so I press closer to him.
When I lean up on my tiptoes he leans down, I think he’s going to kiss me, instead he dodges my mouth and rests his chin on my shoulder and hugs me tight.
I have no clue why it feels more romantic than a kiss or why I can’t seem to let go of him, even though I barely know him and am probably jumping into this without thinking.
“Favorite color?” he asks.
“Blue.” I cling to his shirt.
“Favorite movie?”
“Gladiator.”
“I approve.”
“I was looking for validation today.” My hands tug at his shirt while my face presses against his warm chest.
“Favorite moment?” he whispers against the wind, his face still on my shoulder.
I want to say this one, but I’m not sure I’m brave enough, but it’s almost like my silence is answer enough as I stand there and hold him tight.
“This.” I finally get one word out.
He squeezes me tighter, then kisses the top of my head. “Good, you pass—for now.”
I shove him playfully as he pulls away laughing, reaching for my hand and holding it tight.
It could have been seconds or hours, I have no concept of time with him, all I know is by the time we make it back to the boardwalk it’s really dark out and I need to go home.
I’ve never been the type to jump into relationships nor have I been the type to invite myself to people’s houses—I’ve never had a one-night stand drunken or sober, I’ve never done what I did today or even taken a chance for fear I’d be used or labeled a slut.
But things change quickly when you’re faced with giants in your life.
I never thought I’d meet mine at eighteen.
I don’t realize I’ve stopped walking until Quinn pulls me toward a park bench and onto his lap. “Why so sad?”
“What?” His warm arms wrap around me.
“I said, why so sad? You just froze back there, I mean it could be the wind, my overall impressiveness, exhaustion, but you just stared straight ahead, so I’m assuming something’s wrong and also assuming that you might possibly be sad because the night is over.”