Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 98134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
“Can it though?” I ask, eyes narrowed.
“Hold your questions, please,” he says seriously.
I grin. “Okay.”
“So, we’ve agreed that nature's grasp on reality is imperfect. In fact,” he says, raising a finger. “You could argue imperfection is actually the natural state of things.”
I feel a slight sense of concern that his little speech is actually making a touch of sense to me, but I don’t see how he’s going to tie this into superstition.
“Therefore,” Maddox says. He looks triumphant already, even though he hasn’t made his final point. “This whole idea that we’re stuck in our own head with no access to forces outside ourselves?” He leans across the table toward me. “It’s there, but it’s not perfect, either. Stuff slips in. Intuition. Psychic insights. Spiritual experiences.” He lifts his palms. “It’s all crazy to most people. To me, it’s just part of the natural order of things.”
Nolan returns with warm syrup that smells like cranberries and faintly of liquor. He pauses. “Oh, no. Is he giving you the nature speech?”
“I thought it was very interesting,” I say.
“See?” Maddox says, slapping the table with his palm. “Somebody finally gets it.”
“She’s just being nice, dude. We all know you’re crazy.”
“And yet you have been wearing your socks inside out ever since I pointed out you block more shots when you do.”
Nolan opens his mouth to argue, closes it, and sets down the syrup. “Cranberry, whiskey, and maple syrup reduction. Enjoy.”
Jesse comes out wearing a gray t-shirt and sweatpants, with his hair wet and shaggy. He runs his hand through it, pushing it out of his face.
My whole body goes rigid at the sight of him.
“Hey,” Jesse says. “Did I miss anything?”
Nolan raises his voice from the kitchen. “Maddox gave Andi the speech.”
Jesse groans. “Sorry, Andi. We try to keep him away from new people as long as we can, but he eventually manages to slip through our defenses and give the speech.”
“I really didn’t mind it.”
“Thank you!” Maddox says, slapping the table again with his palm.
I hang out at the table as the guys emerge from their rooms one by one. Eventually, we’re all at the table and the guys are talking about hockey stuff that’s happening after the holidays. It hits me that the cabin is going to clear out before I know it, and I probably need to form an exit plan.
Even if I’m starting to wonder whether me and Jesse are actually casual and not serious, I feel like I need to get my own place. I don’t want to just assume he has no problem letting me stay with him.
“So,” Jake says. “What are your plans for today? Going to see Mom and Dad? Or were you going to hang with Bree?”
“Bree already had to go back to New York. She’s interviewing advertising firms this week to take her business to the next level.”
Jake nods. “Good for her.”
“We’re doing a secret Santa event tomorrow,” I say. “I was going to get a head start and get my gifts today for the event. And then I was going to pick up my Christmas gifts for all you guys, too. I thought I could invite Mom and Dad.”
“Get gifts?” Jake asks. “With what? Aren’t you broke?”
I blush. “Caroline has been paying me. Once I pay back Jesse… and you, I’ll be less broke.”
“You really don’t need to pay me back,” Jesse says.
“I do. But holiday gifts are also important. I can’t just not get you guys something.”
“It’s a lost cause,” Jake says. “She really will pay you back. Andi is stubborn as hell. She’s always broke, always in debt, but always paying people back. It’s kind of a mystery to behold.”
Carter lights up. “You’re going to get me something?”
“Of course I am, Joker. I’m getting something for everybody.”
“Hold on,” Carter says, narrowing his eyes. “You haven’t used our nicknames since that first day. Did you forget about them and now you’re trying to make up for it all at once?”
“Whaat?” I ask in a terrible attempt at acting. “Definitely not.”
Carter laughs and shakes his head. “Knew it.”
Maddox rubs his hands together. “I’m excited. Andi seems like she’d be a really good gift giver.”
“Notoriously good,” Jake confirms. “She’ll give you a gift so good you’ll feel bad about whatever she gets you. It’s honestly annoying.”
I smile and shrug. “He’s right. You’ll all be annoyed and thrilled at the same time. It’s my speciality.”
“Why don’t you let me tag along, then,” Jesse says. “I can spot you the money and I’ll just add it to the tab or whatever.”
Everybody at the table shares a silent look.
“What?” Jesse demands.
“Nothing,” Carter says. “Just that you two sure do spend a lot of time together.”
Jake nods. “I also noticed some small, feminine footprints in the snow leading from your window to Andi’s guest house. Looked fresh this morning.”