Total pages in book: 14
Estimated words: 12485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 62(@200wpm)___ 50(@250wpm)___ 42(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 12485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 62(@200wpm)___ 50(@250wpm)___ 42(@300wpm)
The answer is simple, although the possibility makes me want to punch a hole through the wooden table we’re sitting at. Somehow, I don’t let a bit of that emotion show. “Then we won’t. It’s your call, Anna.”
“That’s what I wanted to know.” She grins, looking more confident now. “Good. Glad that’s settled.”
I laugh. “Good. So, um, you should come over tonight.”
She hesitates, and I know why. “And how do we accomplish that without Brody catching on? Even having lunch without him is already suspicious. If he catches us, I mean.”
The sun catches on her dark hair and her beautiful face, and suddenly I don’t really give a fuck about my best friend. At least as far as his sister is concerned. “You’re an adult, Anna. We both are. You don’t have to sneak around or explain anything to him.”
“Sometimes I forget that you’re an only child.” A small, sad smile tugs at her lips. “You don’t know what it’s like.”
I nod, realizing she’s right. “That’s fair.”
“I also think you underestimate how overprotective he is of me.”
“Maybe. Or maybe you just need to stand up for yourself a little more.” I pause, looking at her, my voice softening. “Anna, I like you. I’ve liked you for a long time. You deserve to be happy, and you deserve to live your life how you want.”
She looks away, her expression shifting, and I realize I might have pushed too far. I don’t want this to turn into some big thing. Not now. I don’t know how long she’ll be in town, and I don’t want to ruin whatever this is between us by moving too fast.
“I know that.” She sighs. “I’m working on it, all right?”
“Okay.” I want to say a whole hell of a lot more, but I bite my tongue.
“I’ll text you if I manage to get free.”
It isn’t good enough, but it will have to do. For now.
We finish lunch, and I drive her home in near silence. When we pull up in front of her brother’s apartment, she starts to get out, but I stop her.
“Anna,” I say quietly. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to fight. We’re supposed to be having a good time, right? Just forget about what I said.”
She smiles, leaning over to give me a quick kiss. It’s too short, too restrained, but I take what I can get.
Then she’s gone, disappearing into the building, and I’m left sitting in my car, wondering how long I can keep pretending that this is just a casual thing.
5
ANNA
I decide to sit outside for a while and read. It's one of those rare days when the heat isn't unbearable, and the breeze feels good as I flip through the pages. After a few minutes, Brody walks outside and sits down in the chair next to me.
"Hey," he says. "You disappeared after practice."
I look up from my book and smile at him. "I hung around for a little while, then went to get some lunch."
"I heard you were at the cafe with someone," he says casually.
I freeze but try to keep it casual. "Oh? Who'd you hear that from?"
"Another teammate."
I smirk, but inside, I'm panicking. "Yeah. Liam and I grabbed lunch together. You know me, never able to pass up a free meal."
"You and Liam are awfully chummy lately," he grumbles, stretching his legs out. “I heard some weird rumors about party games last night.”
"You and Liam are best friends. Aren't you chummy?"
"Yeah, but it's not like that."
"Well, it's not like that either. We're friends, Brody. Calm down. If you don't want me to hang around with Liam, I won't."
"I never said that," he says defensively. "You can do whatever you want. Just … be careful, all right?"
I sigh. "Whatever. I've got online class in a few." I pack up my book and head inside without waiting for him to respond. I know he didn't mean anything by it, but I don't have the energy to keep explaining myself to him.
I'm a fucking adult!
I'm halfway through my English class, headphones on and laptop on the futon in front of me when Brody leaves for his own afternoon classes without even saying goodbye. It bums me out, but what can I do? The thought of getting deeper into my new 'friendship' with Liam makes me sweat. I'll just be more careful, and if I'm lucky, Brody will forget about his suspicions by the time I head back home, and this can all be just a fun, hot memory to look back on.
Hm. So why does the idea of it becoming a memory make me ridiculously sad?
It's not like Liam is going anywhere. He'll still be my brother's best friend, and he's only a few hours away from home. I can see him again whenever I want.
But … that's not what I want.