Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 83211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
I do like it. But I really do miss my brother. It’s so much more fun getting into trouble in pairs.
“I’m over all of that now. I’m a newlywed, for fuck’s sake. I want to spend time with my wife.”
He’s over all of that now. Well, I’m over him being all over it.
“Did you ever do anything with your roommate ad?” Ashley asks. “I’ve been watching your Social account to see if you posted it.”
“Nah, it needs a few tweaks.” I settle my gaze on Maddox. “I need to add a line that I’m looking for a new best friend.”
He throws up his hands with a sigh.
“I’m kidding.” I down the rest of my drink and then toss the can in the trash. “But, no, I haven’t done anything with it. Maybe I should, though. It worked for you and Brooke.”
“And Pippa,” she says.
“Yeah, and the Pipster,” I say, remembering how Jess snagged his dream woman. “I’m thinking about just getting a dog.”
Maddox’s eyes widen. “Don’t do that.”
“Why?”
“Banks. You don’t even know how to feed yourself. It would be reckless for you to take responsibility for another living thing that can’t fend for itself.”
“Ye of little faith.”
Maddox's phone buzzes. His pointed look lingers before it switches to his phone. “I gotta go. I’ll be home in a couple of hours. Love you, Ash.”
Ashley kisses his cheek. “See you then.”
“Bye,” I say as my brother walks by.
“Later.”
I lean against the counter. Ashley bebops around the kitchen, taking out various vegetables, a package of meat, and a few pots and pans.
“How was your day?” I ask, not really feeling like going home.
She smiles at me over her shoulder. “It was really good. I spent the day with your mom, actually. If I tell you something, you won’t say a word to anyone, right?”
I nod.
“Say it. Promise me,” she says.
“I promise you I won’t repeat whatever top secret information you’re about to tell me, super sleuth.”
She rolls her eyes. “We went looking at couches.”
I smack my forehead, making her laugh.
“Did you talk her out of whatever she was looking at?” I ask.
“Yes. You know I did.”
“This couch situation is going to be the end of me. I feel like we’re all sneaking around like double agents.” I raise a brow. “I wasn’t built for this level of stress, Ash. I just wasn’t.”
She laughs.
My phone vibrates, and I look down.
Maddox: NO TO THE SPIDERS.
Me: I noted your feelings on the situation.
Maddox: I mean it, Banks. And, for the love of all that’s holy, don’t do anything to Foxx. I can’t save you from him. I’ll have to live with that guilt for the rest of my life. You don’t want to do that to me, do you?
Me: You shouldn’t text and drive. It’s unsafe.
Maddox: It’s called voice-to-text.
Me: I refuse to participate in your attempts at self-harm. Come see me later.
Ha.
I put my phone in my pocket and ignore the series of vibrations afterward.
“What are you making for dinner?” I ask, peering over her shoulder.
“I’m roasting a chicken with some root veggies.”
I step back, giving her room to work. “Oh.”
“Do you want to come for dinner?”
“I mean, yeah.”
She tries not to smile.
“I aired your tire up this morning,” I say, sitting at the bar. “It was low. Tell your husband to start checking that for you.”
Ashley sets the veggies down and turns around, leaning against the counter. “That was very nice of you.”
“Because I’m a nice guy. And I like when you’re nice to me back. And when you invite me over for dinner. And when you tell me I can stay and watch a movie with you guys.”
She laughs, grabbing a towel and drying her hands. Her phone begins to ring. “Hang on.” She lifts her device. “Hello?”
I take my phone out and surf the interwebs. What did people do in situations like this before there were cell phones with the internet? Did they just sit and stare at the person on the phone? Did they carry books around with them as a diversion? How could you pretend not to listen to the conversation happening in front of you, because obviously, you are, if you have nowhere else to direct your attention?
I’ll ask someone old. I’ll ask Foxx.
My fingers fly across the screen.
Me: Hey, what did you old people do before you had phones with internet and were in social situations where the other person was talking and you had to pretend not to listen?
Foxx has silenced notifications.
“No, Maddox can’t,” Ashley says. “He has a showing right now. Can it wait like two hours?” Her brows pinch together. “Oh. Crap.”
Sounds like someone is having a bad day.
I click on my Social app and scroll through.
“Is Jess home yet?” Ashley asks.
“Nope. He and Dad are at an auction. They’ll be gone until late,” I say.
“He’s not home,” she tells whomever she’s talking to. “Moss and Brooke are both still at work and we’ll pretend Foxx doesn’t exist.”