Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 113923 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113923 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
I don’t have the heart to tell Jay she’ll probably turn him down, so I simply clap him on the shoulder and say, “’Course I don’t mind. She’s a great girl—make sure you treat her right.”
“Scout’s honor,” he promises, holding up one hand in the Boy Scout gesture. Of course he was a Scout. Probably earned all his badges too. Meanwhile, Evan and I got kicked out of our troop when we were eight because we tried setting our scout leader’s gear on fire.
“Hey, didn’t realize you boys were here.” Evan comes up with the puppy on a leash, ruefully glancing at all the supplies we’ve unloaded—no thanks to him. “Otherwise I would’ve given you a hand.”
I snort. Yeah right.
“When’d you get a dog?” a delighted Jay asks. He promptly kneels and starts playing with the puppy, who tries to nip his stroking fingers. “What’s his name?”
“Her,” I correct. “And we don’t know yet.”
“My vote is for Kitty, but Coop doesn’t appreciate irony,” Evan pipes up.
“We’re still deciding,” I say.
Billy wraps up his call and approaches us. He nods at Evan, who nods back and says, “Billy. How’s things?”
“Yeah, good.”
The two share an uneasy look, while I stand there in discomfort. Gentle giant Jay is oblivious to the tension, thoroughly occupied by the puppy. This is why we don’t see Billy and his brothers anymore. It’s too damn awkward.
But Evan can’t help himself. Always takes it to the next level of awkwardness. “How’s Gen?”
Billy grunts a curt “Fine,” and can’t get his trailer closed up fast enough before he and Jay are practically peeling out of our front yard.
“The hell was that about?” I say to Evan.
“What’s what?” He says this as if I don’t know exactly what goes on in his damn head.
“Thought you weren’t hung up on Genevieve.”
“I’m not.” He brushes me off and goes to the porch, grabbing some water.
“She blew town with barely a heads up,” I remind him. “Trust me, that chick isn’t sitting around worrying about you.”
“I said it’s whatever,” Evan insists. “I was just making conversation.”
“With her brothers? I wouldn’t be surprised if Billy blames you for her running all the way to Charleston. For all I know, he’s been waiting to kick your ass.”
Evan’s ex was the real hellion of our group. We’ve all experimented with the occasional illicit substance, broken a few laws, but Gen was on another level. If it was stupid and stood a chance to kill her, she wanted seconds. And Evan was right there next to her. Allegedly, she left to get her shit together. New place, new life. Who knows if it’s true? If any of the girls still talk to her, they don’t bring it up. Which is all the proof Evan should need that Genevieve West doesn’t give a crap that she tore his fucking heart out.
“You still in love with her?” I ask him.
He takes off his shirt to wipe the sweat from his face. Then he meets my eyes. “I don’t even think about her.”
Yeah right. I know that expression. I wore that same expression every day our dad wasn’t around. Every time our mom walked out on us for weeks or months at a time. Sometimes he forgets I’m the one person in the world he can’t lie to.
My phone vibrates, momentarily distracting me from my brother’s bullshit. I check the screen to find a text from Mac.
Mackenzie: My bio prof just shared with the class that he’s got a dog named Mrs. Puddles. I say we steal the name and never look back.
I can’t stop a chuckle, causing Evan to eye me sharply over the lip of his water bottle.
“What about you?” A bite creeps into his voice.
“What about me?”
“Every time I look over, you’re texting the clone. You two are getting awfully cute.”
“Thought that was the idea, genius. She’s not dumping her boyfriend for some asshole she doesn’t like.”
“What do you text about?” he demands.
“Nothing important.” It’s not a lie. Mostly we argue about names and how to train our dog. Mac has granted herself partial custody and visitation rights. I tell her she’s welcome to chip in for puppy pads and dog food. She demands more photos.
“Uh-huh.” He reads me with narrow eyes. “You’re not catching feelings for the rich bitch, are you?”
“Hey.” Evan can throw all the shit he wants at me, but his anger has nothing to do with Mac. “She didn’t do anything to you. In fact, she’s been perfectly nice. So how about you watch your mouth.”
“Since when do you care?” He steps up to me, getting in my face. “She’s one of them, remember? A clone. Her entitled shithead boyfriend got you fired. Don’t get it twisted which side you’re on.”
“I’m on our side,” I remind him. “Always.”
There’s nothing stronger than my bond with my brother. Period. A girl doesn’t change that. Evan’s just got a thorn in his paw about everyone who goes to Garnet. Far as he’s concerned, they’re the enemy. It’s an attitude most kids who’ve grown up around here share, and I don’t blame them. I don’t remember the last time a clone did anything but use and abuse us.