Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23292 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23292 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
“What?” That wasn’t what I thought he was going to say, but it’s still shocking.
“It’s a big bed,” he says and then does another one of those shoulder shrugs. They’re getting annoying at this point.
“We can’t share a bed,” I hiss at him.
“Why not? We used to pass out together in the movie room all the time.”
“We were kids.” My brother would fall asleep before us, and so many times I wished for Flynn to lean over and kiss me, but he never did.
“I’ll put a movie on at night if that makes you feel better.”
“My brother would kill you if he knew.”
“I was thinking your mom, but you’re probably right.”
“You’re nuts.” I turn to leave, not wanting to be in this room any longer, but I only make it a few steps before my feet leave the ground and Flynn tosses me on the bed. A few pillows go flying, and I grab one as I hurry to my knees.
“See, there’s lots of room.” His smile is wicked as he steps closer.
“Don’t even think about it.” I lift the pillow higher.
“I’m already thinking about it. I’ve been thinking about it.”
“What does—ah!” I scream when he lunges towards me, and a second later I swing the pillow. He grabs it with ease and tosses it to the floor. I go for another, but his arm wraps around my waist and keeps me from getting away. “Flynn!”
The next thing I know, he’s got me pinned to the bed with my hands over my head.
“Give up yet?” He wiggles his eyebrows, and I clench my teeth.
“Never.” I glare up at him.
“I didn’t want to have to do this.” He shakes his head like I’ve brought this upon myself.
“Do what?”
His other hand drifts down my side until it gets to the bottom of my shirt. When his fingers drift across my stomach and over to my hip, I suck in a breath.
“This.” He smirks before he starts tickling me.
“No!” I squeal and try to wiggle free. I forgot how he used to do this to me, and I know how relentless he can be. “I give!” I shout, knowing it’s my only option.
How does Flynn always get whatever he wants?
Chapter Ten
FLYNN
Zelly is laughing and breathing hard as I pull my hand away. Then I release my hold on her wrists, but I don’t move off of her completely, not yet.
“You’re beautiful when you laugh,” I tell her and then watch as her smile falters slightly. Her eyes move to my mouth, and then she licks her lips. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you do it.”
“It feels like a long time since I’ve had a reason.” She brings one of her arms down and presses it against my chest. “And you haven’t been around to see it.”
“I didn’t want to stay away.” The words feel like a confession, but it’s been so long since we were honest with each other. It’s the reason I’ve tricked her into coming here, so why not start with this? “But I want you to know I’m not going anywhere. Not ever again.”
“It doesn’t matter. You don’t owe me an explanation. You’re free to go and live your life.” She’s purposely trying to create space between us, and I can’t allow it.
“Don’t do that.” I shake my head and cover her hand with mine. Holding her palm against my heart, I try to put it into words. “Don’t dismiss that time as me living my life. After your accident, I thought the only way to make things right was to stay away.”
“What?” She blinks at me and looks confused. “Why would you think that?”
“You needed time to heal, and the whole thing was my fault.”
“It wasn’t your fault, Flynn. I was the one that jumped. Nobody made me do it.”
“I goaded you into it. Leo and I jumped off that bridge a thousand times, but we knew how dangerous it was. The night you came, I knew it was a bad idea. The water was too low, and you weren’t strong enough to jump out as far as we did.”
She turns her head away as tears form in her eyes, but I touch her chin until she looks back at me. Using my thumb to wipe away the single tear that’s fallen, I shake my head.
“It was my fault, and I should have stopped you. I should have never let you come.” I swallow hard, thinking back to that moment. I knew the second she let go of the bridge it was too late. She didn’t jump out far enough to get away from the rocks. “Afterwards I couldn’t look at you without hating myself.”
“You were my best friend. Then you just disappeared.”
“I could have lost you.” The words are almost whispered as I stroke her cheek. “There’s no way I could have recovered from that.”