Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 36002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
I frown as I look up at the townhome. “Do they know I’m coming?”
“They’re about to find out.”
With those words, he snatches my backpack and climbs out of the car. Irritation simmers in my gut as I hurry after him. I hate that he’s treating me like a problem to solve. It reminds me of my father which has my stomach roiling in disgust.
Rhett beats on the door like a maniac. I hiss at him when I get close, but he ignores me. A few seconds later, a cute guy around our age answers the door. His features are twisted in confusion and when he sees me, his eyebrows hike up.
“Riko, this is Abby. Abby, Riko. Can we come in?”
Riko steps aside and Rhett pushes past him.
“Sorry,” I say sweetly. “He’s a spoiled prince who thinks he can treat everyone else like peasants.”
Riko’s grin is back and his eyes gleam with wickedness. “You’re not his girlfriend.”
“Oh, God, no. That’s my sister. Lucky girl,” I say dryly. “I know he’s your friend, but he’s a dick.”
He chuckles as he closes the door behind me. The townhome is decorated like two guys live here. Masculine grays and neutrals. Framed soccer memorabilia. The couch, however, looks quite cozy, so I help myself to it, grateful to be able to rest my back.
Tonight’s been exhausting.
“Want a beer or something?” Riko asks as he heads to the kitchen where Rhett disappeared to.
“I’d rather have a Sprite or ginger ale if you have it. Rhett makes me sick to my stomach.”
Riko snorts out a laugh and then disappears. I can hear them speaking in hushed tones. It’s about me. Obviously. Whatever is said, though, doesn’t scare Riko away because he shows up a minute later with a bottle of Sprite and a pack of peanut butter crackers. I could kiss him.
“Derek ran over to Reid’s to help him put together some furniture,” Riko says as he perches on the coffee table, watching me with keen interest as if I’m an exotic animal that’s escaped its cage.
Rhett saunters into the room and tips a beer bottle up. I cut my eyes over to him, noticing the way his Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. I’m pretty sure I licked him there that night.
I force myself to look away from the stupidly hot man and smile at Riko. “Guess he told you I need a place to crash for tonight?”
“Yup,” he says, smirking. “Didn’t say why, though.”
As much as it would satisfy me to blurt out our situation just to make Rhett squirm with discomfort, I don’t. He said he wants to keep it a secret, so I’ll respect that. I may think he’s an asshole, but he’s still the father of my baby, and I need his help.
“It’s complicated,” Rhett grumbles after he finishes off his beer. “Catastrophic even.”
Me and Riko both snort in response. Okay, so maybe Riko is cool.
“May as well just say it, man.” Riko rubs his chin and squints his eyes like he’s thinking. “If I had to guess, you fucked your girlfriend’s sister and got her pregnant.”
I bark out a laugh.
Rhett snarls, “Fuck. That obvious?”
“It couldn’t be any more obvious,” Riko says with a shrug. “And, yeah, Abby, you can stay as long as you need. Derek won’t care. There’s a bed upstairs in the guest room.”
“I can take the couch,” I suggest. “Don’t want to put you out.”
Rhett shakes his head. “He has a bed. You’ll take it. For the baby.”
For someone who wanted to “get rid of” my little guy not even an hour ago, he sure has gone all in on protecting him.
“Can you watch her for a few minutes?” Rhett says as he heads for the back door. “I need to talk to Reid.”
“I don’t need babysitting,” I snap back.
He doesn’t bother responding and slips out the door. Riko waits all of three seconds before he blurts out, “I like you.”
“I thought he was your friend,” I say in return.
“He is. Opposites attract and all that jazz.” His grin drops. “I won’t lie, though. I’m worried about him.”
“He’ll survive,” I grumble. “I’m the one who has to be pregnant.”
He chuckles. “I meant I worry about his mental health. This whole thing isn’t exactly Rhett’s style. I’m sure it’s eating him alive. Plus, he thinks he’s in love with his girlfriend.”
I perk up at his words. “You don’t sound like you’re happy about that.”
“No offense,” he says, grimacing. “I know she’s your sister, but he acts differently with her. Like he’s trying to be someone he’s not. I don’t love it.”
This endears me to Riko even more. Despite Rhett being his friend, he can admit that Mr. Perfect is just a personality Rhett wears like a badge of honor. It’s not real. If it were, I wouldn’t be carrying his baby.