Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 54520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
They greet me with an easy smile, which I return.
“And, of course…Cash.”
My heart stumbles at the final name.
Unlike the others, Cash steps forward, rubbing the back of his neck before meeting my eyes. “Looks like I owe you an apology.”
I lift a hand, brushing him off. “You don’t. It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not,” Linc cuts in, his tone firm. “Let him give it.”
Their mother glances between the three of us, worry knitting her brow. “Why? What happened?”
Linc’s hard gaze doesn’t waver from his brother. “Nothing for you to worry about, Ma. Cash just needs to clear something up.”
Cash swallows hard before he speaks. “Look, I didn’t understand the situation back then. I thought I was doing my brother a favor, but I got it wrong. I’m sorry for lying to you.”
Something shifts in my chest, the hurt from that day fading away with the apology. “It’s okay,” I say quietly. “It was a long time ago.”
He grins, almost boyish like, before extending a hand. “Truce?”
My heart warms as I step forward, sliding my palm into his. “Truce.”
The word barely makes it past my lips when something cold and slimy squishes between our hands.
A gasp tears from me as I jerk back. “What the—?”
Green slime drips from my fingers, thick and grotesque, like something out of a bad sci-fi flick.
All the brothers erupt with laughter, the sound ricocheting off the kitchen walls.
“Cash!” Mrs. Masters swats her son with a dish towel, her scold sharp. “For crying out loud, what is wrong with you?”
He shields himself, still laughing. “It was just a joke, Ma.”
“It’s not funny,” she snaps. “This is not how we treat guests.”
“Yeah, dumbass,” Linc drawls, giving his brother a shove, but he fails to hide the smirk edging at the corner of his mouth.
My eyes narrow on him. “Something funny?”
He shrugs. “I mean, it’s a little funny.”
I glance down at the slime dripping from my fingers, then back up at him. “It is. But you know what’s even funnier?”
Before he can react, I streak it across his cheek, then dump the rest into Cash’s hair, coating every strand within reach.
Cash yelps and bolts, the entire kitchen bursting into laughter again.
“That a girl.” Mrs. Masters tosses me her towel like it’s a badge of honor.
I wipe my hands and then lob it at Linc.
He catches it with that cocky smirk. “You’re lucky you’re hot, Goldilocks.”
The spark in his voice promises retribution, and, if I’m being honest, every part of me aches for it.
Nate moves then, slinging an arm around my shoulders like we’ve been friends forever. “Come on. You survived initiation—time for your induction.”
Before I can even process what that means, I’m steered into the living room with Heath and Laura on my heels, Linc and Cash lingering behind to clean up. Controllers litter the coffee table in front of the TV, a Mario Kart tournament already waiting like a challenge laid down hours ago.
“You ever play?” he asks.
I shake my head and forgo telling him my parents believed video games rot your brain.
His grin stretches like he’s just hit the jackpot. “Don’t worry. I’ll go easy on you.”
He hands me a controller, and within seconds we’re off to the races.
Heath and Laura chime in from the couch with play-by-play commentary. Turns out, I’m a fast learner. Ten minutes in, Nate’s kart goes sailing off Rainbow Road, and the look on his face is priceless.
“What the hell?” Nate groans, flopping back against the cushions like I’ve just wrecked his entire career.
“Maybe you should stop going easy on her,” Laura quips, earning a laugh from both of us.
Nate isn’t the least bit amused.
Cash strolls in then, freshly scrubbed and wearing his usual cocky grin. “All right, my turn. Who’s getting smoked?”
He gets the shock of his life when Nate shoves the controller into his hands. “No fucking way.”
The smile I give him is as smug as they come. “Don’t worry. I’ll go easy on you.”
Amusement flashes across his face, edged with challenge. “You’re going down, Ice Queen.”
The nickname doesn’t sting. If anything, it settles over me, worn and familiar.
We dive in, controllers clicking, the room alive with cheers and banter.
My pulse hammers with every lap as Laura coaches me from the sidelines, determination coiling tight in my chest. This round feels different than the last. Less about winning and more about earning their respect.
On the final stretch, I send Cash’s kart spinning off the track, victory surging through me as the room erupts.
Cash blinks, as if he can’t believe that just happened.
My brow arches. “Looks like Little Slimer could use a few driving lessons.”
Cash growls and hooks an arm around my neck, dragging me into a playful headlock.
I squeal, laughter spilling out until my cheeks ache.
“All right, Ice Queen,” he concedes, voice lighter as he lets me up. “I guess you’ve earned your place here.”