Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51193 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51193 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
“I’m so confused,” I interject. “Who’s Kellan, and why did Preston get into a fight with him?”
“My ex-boyfriend,” Bex says, her voice low and soft. “He did horrible things to me when we were in high school. I told Preston about it. He promised not to go after him. But apparently, Kellan egged him on, and Preston snapped. So now, he has his friends giving me shitty excuses for why he can’t talk to me. He hasn’t left the house all week. It’s not like him to miss class.”
“Drake said he’s not speaking to anyone,” Taylor says. “Don’t take it personally.”
“What’s up with you and Drake?” I ask, hoping it’s not too much of an intrusion.
She bites the inside of her cheek as if she has to consider my question. “I don’t know. He’s such a player. And a pain in my ass.”
“Jamie said he talks about you all the time.”
“As far as I know, he’s not talking to other girls,” Taylor says. “But I don’t know if I want to get involved with him. I’m moving back to California after graduation for grad school. It’s not like a relationship between us could last.”
“Everyone on campus has seen pictures of Little Drake,” Bex says with a chuckle.
“It’s not little,” Taylor says, laughing.
“Maybe you should jump on it while you can.” Bex winks at Taylor. “At least you know he’s a good time.”
Taylor laughs so hard she snorts, and I join in their laughter. Literally, everyone at Strickland University has seen a Drake Donovan dick pic. It’s really something to look at. Jamie’s big enough for me, but Drake is a whole other level of wow. Sex with Drake would probably scare the crap out of me.
“What are you doing after graduation?” Taylor asks me. “You going to grad school or have a job lined up?”
“No, to both.” I set my drink on the table and explain how much I love to cook. I tell her about my job at Rizzo’s and how it made me realize I want to be a baker. “I’ve been saving money for the last four years to hopefully one day open my bakery. Cupcakes are my specialty. I get a lot of orders for them.”
“That’s awesome,” Taylor says. “I hope you do it. I love cupcakes. Red velvet with the creamy icing is my favorite.”
“I use buttercream for all of my cupcakes,” I admit.
“I could see the yuppies downtown buying fancy cupcakes,” Bex says.
I sigh. “If only I could afford the rent.”
“Have you thought about a food truck?” Taylor suggests.
I shake my head. “No, I haven’t, but I like the idea. Do you think I could sell cupcakes and pastries from a truck?”
“People sell cheesesteaks and fruit from them,” Bex says. “I don’t see why you couldn’t do it with cupcakes.”
“I was thinking about calling it Shake-n-Cake,” I say. “What do you think of the name?”
Taylor’s face brightens. “I love it.” Her voice reaches a higher octave. “So cute.”
“Me, too,” Bex says, a hint of a smile turning up the corners of her mouth. “It’s catchy. I like it.”
Taylor crosses her legs and leans back in her chair. “Well, if you open your own store, you better invite me.”
A cell phone buzzes on the table, and Taylor lifts it to check the message. Her nose scrunches as she reads it. “Drake says Preston is finally eating with them. He hasn’t done that since before the Boston game.”
Bex rolls her shoulders, staring out the long window that spans the wall next to our table.
“That means he’ll apologize soon,” Taylor adds.
“We’ll see,” Bex says, devoid of emotion. “But I’m glad he’s feeling better.”
“So…” Taylor says, looking at me, “… you and Jamie. What’s going on with him? Are you gonna get back together?”
“He’s in love with his girlfriend,” I whisper.
She seems confused. “Jamie doesn’t have a girlfriend.”
“Yes, he does. Cece. The girl he got caught kissing. Even The Queen called him out for it.”
“That girl is his ex,” Bex says. “Preston hates her. He said she’s trying to ruin Jamie’s life.”
Shit. So, he was telling the truth? Maybe I jumped to conclusions a little too fast because of my fear of getting hurt.
“What’s she doing to him?” I ask.
“Her dad is buying his dad’s company,” Bex says. “Preston said Jamie’s a mess over it. He’s kind of paranoid. Jamie thinks The Queen has something to do with it.”
I slide my chair closer to the table and lower my voice. “Why would she care about his dad’s company?”
Bex holds her palms up and shrugs. “Not sure. Preston didn’t get into it. He said Jamie has a conspiracy theory about The Queen. Sounds like he’s losing his mind over it.”
“Poor Jamie,” I say, now feeling bad for turning my back on him. “You think I should talk to him? I told him not to call me. He’s kept his distance.”