Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Milo grins and picks up the controller. “You wish.”
But before we can get going, my phone rings. I looked down at my cell to see a call from my mom. “Sorry, I should probably get this.”
“No worries.”
Mom and I have only talked through text messages since her breakup with Tim. I head upstairs to our bedroom to take the call.
“Hey there.”
“Guess what?” Her voice has that excited tone I recognize all too well. “Remember I told you about my new manager?”
Wait, maybe this is headed in the good-news direction. Maybe a raise. “Uh-huh.”
“Well, I stayed after work last night to complete an important report for him. He stayed late too. And he—”
“No!” I blurt out.
“What? I haven’t even told you what happened.”
“Let me guess: he came on to you and promised you things.”
“You make it sound like a bad thing. And it wasn’t like that. We’ve got good chemistry.”
“So something happened between you at work?”
“No, not yet.” She scoffs. “Maybe not ever. Besides, I’d never do anything at work.”
“But you would outside of work?” I retort, unable to hide my sarcasm.
“Why do you sound so disappointed in me?” This is the part of our relationship that always feels like the script has been flipped and I become the parent.
“I just…don’t want you hurt again.” I try to bring it down a notch. “Is he…married?”
“Of course not!” she lobs back like a petulant child. “He’s going through a divorce.”
“Sure he is,” I mutter, my frustration coming through.
“I see it was a mistake to call you.” Her tone is like an open wound, and I immediately feel regret.
“Listen, I’m sorry.” I puff out an exasperated breath. “It’s just hard because you’re a good person and have so much love to give someone. But you want it so badly that you…you ignore stuff that hurts you in the end.”
“That’s not what I’m—”
“Please let me finish.” Mom goes quiet as I pace the floorboards and gather my thoughts. “As far as your boss is concerned, you should say no to anything other than professional. And then threaten him with a harassment complaint if he comes on to you again. That is a relationship waiting to fail. Plus, you love your job, and this can get you fired. Or make it miserable.”
It’s not that Mom doesn’t know all that or hasn’t dated one boss or another before. But maybe it’s like what she told me once—how when she saw me when I was born, I was so adorable that she forgot all the pain immediately after delivery.
“I appreciate your advice,” Mom says, but given her tone, she doesn’t appreciate it at all. I suppose it is unsolicited, but at this point, I can’t help myself. “But I’m an adult and can make my own decisions.”
Then act like it!
“Sure, Mom, you’re right,” I reply because I’m tired from making the effort.
After the call ends, I continue pacing, feeling on edge. I slip into my sneakers and head down the steps.
Milo is still playing the game, and Ian has taken over my controller.
“Be right back.” I fly out the door before they can ask, then walk around aimlessly until I find a bench and sit to catch my breath.
I pull out my cell and scroll to Austin’s number.
What are you up to?
Nothing much. Just reading. Kael is at Angelica’s.
Can I come over?
Of course.
As soon as I scale the dorm stairwell to his floor, I’m flustered all over again.
When he pulls open the door, his eyebrows draw together. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, Mom called and…” I blow out an exasperated breath.
“Come here.” He tugs on my arm and leads me to his bed, where we lie against the pillows. “Tell me everything.”
So I do, recounting the call and the things I said. “Was I too harsh?”
“I mean, I know you.” He plays with the hem of his shirt. “There was probably also concern in your tone, and it’s doubtful that didn’t register with her. Your mom is an adult, but sometimes she doesn’t act like one. She just doesn’t want to hear the plain truth.”
“Yeah, no kidding. Thanks for always being here for me.”
He shifts toward me and pulls me into an embrace. “Wouldn’t want it any other way.” We tangle our arms and legs, then breathe softly together. “This is nice.”
“It is.”
We continue lying and having a casual conversation until he shifts to his other side, and I absently spoon him. It’s not anything we’ve discussed beforehand. We just seem to fit together.
But soon enough, just feeling him against me makes me hard as a rock.
“Dex?” Austin pushes his ass against me, and I groan.
I cup his cheek, and he tilts his face just far enough so our mouths can meet. We kiss and grind, and it feels like there’s entirely too many clothes between us.
Having the same idea, we sit up in a rush and toss our clothes on the floor.