Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 62972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
“Nothing. It’s a shitty place and I couldn’t leave her there, so we put her with my dad temporarily—but that comes with its own problems.”
Wow. It’s a lot to take in.
He must read my face. “Don’t worry about me. I can handle it.”
I clear my throat. “Do you want me to come with you? I mean, I don’t mind hanging out with you guys. We can watch TV or play a game or something?”
He rubs his hand across his lips and considers me, a frown twisting his face as he considers what to say.
“Maybe next time.” He kisses me on the lips, cupping my cheek. “I’ll text you, okay?”
I nod.
But…
I know he’s not telling me everything.
There’s a cagey look on his face, a wary expression that pricks at me.
Stop worrying, Delaney.
I want to, but now that the fun is over, my head is reminding me to guard my heart.
If you’re going to do this with him, be careful.
I head into the kitchen to pack up the food. “Okay, at least take this with you. I’m sure you guys need dinner.” I busy myself getting out containers to put at least half the nachos in, leaving some out for me.
“Delaney…” His voice is soft as he looks around at the preparation I did while he was showering. I chopped tomatoes and lettuce and got cheese and guacamole out of the fridge. I even put out real plates when I normally only use paper. I blush. “I didn’t do anything but make nachos.”
“You’re incredible.” He takes the containers of food I hand him, gives me one last look, and then he’s out of the kitchen and out my door.
I watch him go, hoping like hell I’m not going to get hurt.
Delaney
I’m ready for class on Monday at least an hour before it starts. Part of it is that I didn’t sleep well over the weekend, thinking about Maverick and Raven and how much pressure that must be when he’s so young and has such a big future ahead of him.
Since I haven’t seen him since Saturday, I take extra care with my hair, blowing it out and straightening it until it’s a thick blonde curtain. Last night, I carefully scoured my wardrobe and came up with a tight-fitting lilac sweater and a pair of smoke-gray skinny jeans that curve over my bum. Now, with a careful hand, I apply extra dark red lipstick.
I saunter out to grab a cup of coffee and find Skye sitting at one of the barstools at the island, her head bent as she inhales her early morning brew.
“What’s up, girlie,” I call out, and she just grunts. She isn’t a morning person like I am. “I made some chocolate chip cookies this weekend if you want some,” I tell her as I breeze by to grab a mug from the cabinet. “Nana’s recipe.”
She gives me a little mumble.
I pour my coffee and toss in a healthy amount of French vanilla creamer from the fridge. “They are your favorite, right?”
She nods, her hands gripping her cup as she lifts it up for a long swig.
“Skye? Are you okay?”
She shakes her head. “Not really.”
I sigh. I should have known something was up when she came in last night and didn’t even pop her head in to say goodnight. Normally she’d check in with me on a Sunday just so we could recap the weekend.
“Did you and Tyler fight?”
She raises her head, and I see dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep. She grimaces. “I know, I look like hell. I slept horribly—I’m surprised I didn’t keep you up with my tossing and turning.”
I was doing my own tossing around in bed.
“What did Tyler do?” I say.
She grunts out a laugh. “Funny how you knew this was about him,” she sighs. “We were at the baseball house watching a movie with a bunch of people and he just started…being a dick and ordering me around, like he expects me to be his maid or something. He asked me to clean his room and I told him to fuck off. Then I go to the bathroom and when I come back, there’s some stupid girl in his lap.”
My stomach drops. What a douchebag!
She bites her lip. “So I get pissed and we have words then he kicks me out of the house and tells me not to come back until I’m ready to apologize.” She uses air quotes.
“I’m so sorry.” I always knew he was a jerk, but of course, I don’t say that.
A tear makes its way down her face and immediately I’m next to her with my arms around her shoulders as she leans into me. “Hey, don’t cry.”
Her hands tighten around her coffee mug. “Ugh. I can’t believe I’ve spent the past few months dating him.”
I rub her back. “You know what? Let’s plan our spring break trip tonight. Going to the beach always makes you feel better. We’ll lay out in the sun and forget all about our ex-boyfriends.”