Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
“Yeah,” I agree since it isn’t exactly a lie. “Grabbing something quick so I can chill a little before practice.”
Ace jerks up his chin, holding out a hand for me to shake, which I do. “All right. Well, hit me up later. I think we’re all going to get together and do something. Feels like we’ve barely gotten to see you this summer, you’ve been so busy acting like you’re a fucking football savant or some shit.”
I chuckle. “I’ll see what I get into later and let you know.”
“Fine. But you have to at least come to Fourth of July with us.” He points an index finger in my direction. “We’re all going to Finn’s uncle’s lake house. It’s a big Winslow family tradition that now includes the Hayeses, my crazy-ass parents, and Julia’s mom and dad. Despite the parental units being there, I swear it’ll be a good time.”
Big Winslow family tradition means that Lexi will be there too.
“I’ll see if I can make it, but it sounds as if it has potential,” I reply, a wink rolling off my face right along with the lie. The truth of the matter is, if there’s a chance I can spend the Fourth of July with Lexi and my friends without the world imploding, I’m going to jump right the fuck on it.
“Potential?” He scoffs. “It’s going to be a good fucking time, Golden Boy. My dad and Gunnar apparently went out and bought a shit-ton of fireworks. Your ass needs to be there, bro… Anyway, I gotta run. I’ll catch you later,” Ace says with a smile, slapping me on the back and running straight out the door. I turn to watch as he goes and then scope out the area to make sure no one else is watching me too closely before approaching the buffet line.
I snag a to-go box, six donuts, and two cups of coffee, then bolt out of there like my life depends on it, determined not to get sidetracked by anyone else.
In my haste, I didn’t think to leave a note—a realization that hits me like a truck now that I’ve been gone way longer than I intended. Big mistake. Huge. The last thing I want is for Lexi to wake up, find me missing, and assume I bailed. Or worse, for her to freak out and sneak out, never to be heard from again.
With my arms full and my nerves on edge, I check for traffic and dart back across Broadway, my pace quickening as I near my apartment building. The goal? Get back inside before anyone else spots me and tries to stop me.
As the lobby door closes behind me, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Now, all I can do is hope Lexi’s still there.
I take the stairs two at a time, working overtime to keep the coffees from sloshing all over the place with the unexpected pace.
I have to set down the box of donuts to open the door on my floor, prop it open with my foot, and then pick them back up, and I run the rest of the way down the hall to my apartment and unlock my door by doing the same thing.
I set the treats down on the kitchen counter and then hustle back down the hall to the bedroom, opening the door so quickly in my panic that I accidentally wake up a still-sleeping Lexi.
Immediately, I start apologizing. “Sorry. I’m sorry. I just… Yeah, I’m sorry.”
She rubs at her eyes and looks me up and down, pushing up to sitting in the bed and taking the sheet with her to cover her still-bare chest. “Did you go somewhere?”
I smile. “Just to get coffee and donuts. You want some?”
She nods, her cheeks lifting noticeably. “I could do coffee and donuts.”
“Great. I’ll go get them.” I move to the door before lunging back inside, settling on the bed beside her so quickly that she laughs.
“Yes?”
“I just remembered. I ran into Ace at Brower earlier, and he had an interesting suggestion that I join everyone at Finn’s uncle’s lake house for the Fourth of July.” I pause for effect. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”
Her brows knit together as she sits up a little straighter, her hair still mussed from sleep. “You saw Ace?”
That’s when it hits me. I’ve just unloaded this at lightning speed on someone who literally just woke up. Maybe I should dial it back a notch before she thinks I’ve lost my mind.
“Yeah, sorry,” I say, softening my tone. “I saw him at Brower. You know, where I went to grab coffee and donuts.”
Her lips press into a thoughtful line. “What’s he doing on campus?”
I laugh lightly. “It’s a long story—one I promise to explain at some point. But yeah, he mentioned he’s heading to Finn’s uncle’s lake house for the Fourth. Said it’s some kind of big Winslow family tradition. He also suggested I should tag along. I figured…maybe you were planning to go too? Thought it’d be a way for us to spend some time together…you know, without anyone noticing anything.”