Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 121916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
I nudge Kai out of my way and say, a bit too loudly, “I’d have done the same thing, if I had a sister. Come on in, guys. Thanks for making the trip from Evanston, especially on a school night.”
“No worries, I finished all my chem homework on the train,” Ruby chirps brightly as she and her brother enter the basement.
“Shit. That’s due tomorrow?”
Ruby chuckles, and her cute little freckled nose scrunches up. “No, on Friday. I was working ahead.”
“Of course you were,” Titus says playfully.
“You might want to try it sometime,” Ruby quips. “You know, in case football doesn’t work out as a career.”
Man, she’s so freaking cute. Besides her freckled, button nose, she’s got huge, dark eyes framed by dark lashes, plush lips that pull my attention like a goddamned magnet every time she’s within ten feet of me, and a personality that instantly draws me in. And it’s not just me. Everyone loves Ruby. I figured that out on day one at my new school.
Ruby’s not my usual type, based on the kinds of girls I’ve been kissing since sixth grade. I mean, yes, personality-wise, she’s everything I always go for: smart, sweet, funny, confident. But I guess with me playing football all these years, I’ve always gravitated toward … well, cheerleader types, for lack of a better description. No one edgy and cool like Ruby. Not girls who don’t give a flying fuck that I’m good at football. But I guess that’s what makes my crush on Ruby stick, even when she doesn’t seem interested: the fact that I’m feeling all these crazy butterflies for someone who’s a first for me. A total departure.
Kai’s not talking. Rather, he’s glaring at me as I lead Ruby and Titus into the room. So, I quickly fill the awkward silence as best I can.
“Savage, this is Ruby Connolly and, apparently, her big brother, Titus.”
“We’re twins, actually,” Ruby says.
“I’m still her big brother, though.”
“Shut up, T.”
Titus snickers. “I was born three minutes before her.”
“And he thinks that entitles him to boss me around for the rest of our lives.” Ruby adds an eye roll for emphasis.
“Titus and I play football together.”
“And we’re lab partners in chem,” Ruby adds, motioning between herself and me.
Savage welcomes our guests with enthusiasm, while Kai continues to hang back, not even trying to hide his disdain.
“Savage lives down the hall from Kai and me,” I explain to the Connolly twins. “Kai’s my big brother.”
“Who plays what?” Ruby asks.
Kai finally deigns to speak. “I play bass. But I can also play guitar in a pinch. And Savage sings lead vocals and plays guitar.”
“Very cool.”
“Kai’s also amazing with production and sound stuff, too. He’s the one who sets up our sound system for practices.”
“A man of many talents.” With that, Ruby flashes my big brother a beaming smile I’ve never witnessed before—one that would have turned me into a goddamned puddle on the floor, if only she’d directed it at me. When Kai only shrugs like he doesn’t give a shit what Ruby thinks, or how beaming her smile might be, she blushes, droops, and shifts her attention to Savage. “Is Savage your actual name?”
“Yeah, my last name. My first name is Adrian, but everyone calls me Savage.”
Ruby smiles brightly again, her blush still lingering. “Savage, it is.”
Savage motions to Ruby and Titus. “I wouldn’t have guessed you two are twins.”
“People always say that,” Ruby agrees with a chuckle. “But I don’t understand why.”
Everyone laughs. Everyone, except Kai. And it’s totally noticeable.
Titus says, “Our mom always says I must have stolen most of Ruby’s nutrients in the womb.”
“Although we were in totally different amniotic sacs,” Ruby chimes in, “so that’s not possible.”
Awkard silence ensues for a beat.
“So, yeah,” Ruby adds, fidgeting. My god, she’s adorable. I’ve never seen her nervous before. Normally, she’s a queen bee. The most confident person in any room. We have to wear uniforms to school, but with her purple hair, and even more so with her uniquely sparkling personality, Ruby always comes off like she doesn’t give a flying fuck what anyone thinks about her. And yet, apparently, she’s acutely aware she’s not winning over Kai for some reason, and the effect on her is obvious: she desperately wants to. Fuck my life.
“Hey, can I talk to you in the stairwell for a minute?” Kai says, breaking the awkward silence. Unfortunately, he’s talking to me.
“It’s a school night,” I reply lamely. “And they came all the way from Evanston, so let’s not waste any valuable time.” I jerk my chin toward the long, keyboard-shaped duffel bag in Ruby’s hand. “There’s an amp for you right there, Ruby.” I point to the space between Kai’s bass and my drumkit. “Do you need any help setting up?”
“Nope, I’m good. Thanks for the amp. I have one, but it was nice not to have to lug it on the train.” She flashes my brother another beaming smile—yet another that would have melted me, if aimed my way. “Did you set up the amp for me, Kai?” When Kai grunts, she thanks him. But he’s already walking away.