Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Ugh, this early morning visit means nothing good for me.
I grab a baby-green sweater, a hoodie, and a pair of jeans.
“What’s with you and all the layers?” she asks.
“I like layers,” I grumble. “And it’s cold outside.”
“You wear layers in the summer as well. Why?”
It’s way too early for this.
“Because I want to,” I snap while scowling at her. “Do we really have to do this so early in the morning?”
Grinning at me, she nods. Her voice sounds almost like a purr when she asks, “Why is Ryan sitting next to you in every class?”
Ugh, really. She woke me up to ask me about Ryan?
I can’t believe she got up this early just to remind me Robert and his asswipe friends are trying to play me for a fool.
Letting out a sigh, I say, “It’s a prank, so just sit back and watch as Ryan completes his initiation. Then, you can laugh right along with your boyfriend and his dipshit buddies.”
Her eyebrows draw together, and her features grow serious. “I would never laugh at you, and you know that. Besides, I’m sure it’s a misunderstanding. Robert wouldn’t be mean to you.”
I raise my eyebrows at her. “You sure about that?”
“I know Robert better than you do,” Molly says all defensively, quick to protect her boyfriend. She gets up from my bed. “I’m going to grab some breakfast. See you downstairs.”
She’s out the door in a flash, as if guilt is pushing her from the room.
When will she learn Robert is nothing but a bastard who cheats on her with Megan and bullies half the kids in school? He’s trouble, but still, she ignores all the red flags and sticks with him.
I quickly go through my morning routine, and once I’m dressed, I head down to the kitchen.
Molly’s almost done eating a slice of toast and pauses between bites to say, “You have a minute to grab some coffee before we leave.”
“Why are you in such a hurry to get to school?” I ask.
“Robert keeps flirting with Megan, so I want to pay him back by doing the same with Ryan.”
Robert does more than just flirt with Megan, but I’m happy to hear Molly’s tired of looking the other way.
When there’s an unhappy twinge in my chest because she’s setting her sights on Ryan, I frown and shove the unwelcome emotion away.
Making myself a cup of coffee, I add extra milk so I can swallow it down quickly.
I don’t have time to rinse the cup and hurry out of the kitchen to catch up with Molly.
During the drive to school, we’re both quiet. I really hope whatever joke Robert and his friends are trying to play on me is over and done with. I’m not in the mood for a repeat of yesterday.
Molly has one of the best parking spots in the school, situated near the entrance. When she stops the car, I notice Ryan’s truck take one of the other reserved parking spaces.
Yep, he’s definitely one of them.
Getting out of her car as fast as I can, I tell Molly, “See you in class.”
I keep my head down as I hurry across the patch of lawn to get to the home ec building.
Hopefully, Ryan won’t be in this class, as the boys have a choice to take something else instead.
“Wait up,” I hear Ryan say, his voice sounding a little cautious before he falls into step beside me. “Morning.”
Shoot.
I contemplate ignoring him but then give in and mutter, “Hey, Ryan.”
I feel his eyes on my face as he asks, “How are you?”
Are we really going to do this?
Squaring my shoulders, I stop walking and turn to face him. “Why are you talking to me? Did the guys put you up to this? Because you can tell them I’m not falling for the prank again. Fun’s over.”
His eyes narrow on me as he shakes his head. “There’s no prank. I’m talking to you because I want to.”
When I realize he’s really serious right now and even looks a bit upset, it takes the wind right out of my sails.
“Why me?” The question’s out before I can stop it.
I feel my face changing color, so I do the next best thing and almost sprain my neck as I snap my head down to stare at my boots.
Ryan takes a step closer, and my eyes dart to his boots, which are scuffed and not a well-known brand like the elite of the school prefer to wear.
Am I wrong about him?
“I’m new in town and could use a friend,” he says. “I was hoping you’d be that friend.” I’m so stunned by what he’s telling me I almost miss it when he asks, “Which guys are you talking about, and what prank?”
Once again, my eyes have a mind of their own, and I can’t keep from looking at his face. He’s still frowning and even looks a little pissed off.