Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“I guess we need to be on the lookout for those.”
“I’ll definitely…” He coughed with a wink. “…keep them in good hands.”
“I’m sure you will.” I picked up my bowl again and scooped a big bite into my mouth. “Boy, this house is just full of surprises tonight.”
Josh cackled. “This evening is brought to you by the letter P: penis pics and porn.”
I nearly spit out my ice cream. I needed that laugh.
If Christina was right, and Josh had sent me out of the house earlier while he cleaned and cooked to distract us from the very real tension that had built since we’d shared the bed the other night—then the universe was messing with us. Instead of a distraction, Josh had accidentally showed me his dick and popped in a porno to end the evening.
When I’d emptied my bowl, I stood. “You know how you just know when it’s your cue to go to sleep? Pretty sure Wayne’s porno was it for me.” I went to the kitchen and put my dish in the sink. “’Night,” I called.
“Have big, bouncy-tit dreams, Carly,” Josh replied from the couch.
I lifted my index finger. “She was definitely not flat.”
He chuckled. “That she wasn’t. I guess Wayne was a tit man.”
I shook my head and laughed.
As I settled into bed, I could hear Josh pumping air into his mattress. Despite my better mood today, I hadn’t exactly stopped analyzing why he’d chosen not to sleep next to me again. I missed that weight on the other side of the mattress right now. But I appreciated the boundary he’d set, especially because I found myself hornier than ever tonight. Because, well…penis pics and porn.
CHAPTER 18
* * *
JOSH
I MIGHT’VE VOLUNTEERED for this Chicago trip to meet a client. With the recent tension rising on the Woodsboro home front, I’d thought some separation between Carly and me might be necessary to clear my head.
But as I sat here, alone in my apartment after a long day at work, I regretted my decision.
The silence in this place was deafening. I no longer appreciated living alone the way I had before. I missed having someone to share a tub of ice cream with—or even someone to shower with. Thanks, Scottie. I’d never realized until my time back in Woodsboro just how freaking lonely my life had been. Bringing a woman home for sex and nothing more like I used to was a far cry from actually developing a connection with someone that went far beyond sex. Or in the case of Carly, stopped short of sex. We had a connection that was undeniable. Whether it was born from our similar struggle after the loss of Brad or something else, I couldn’t be sure. But I really missed being home right now. Home. I’d thought Chicago was my home, but it felt nothing like it at the moment. This was the first time in my life that I’d actually longed to be back in Woodsboro.
I took out the note Carly had left me before I came out here. She’d put it on the counter next to a slice of pumpkin bread for me to eat on the way to the airport.
A Thank You from The Trappist Monks of St. Francis:
Penis pics, porn…and pumpkin! Have a safe flight.
Unable to resist any longer, I took out my phone and texted her.
Josh: How are things going over there?
Carly: It’s been a tough day.
Josh: Why didn’t you text me?
Carly: I didn’t want to bug you with my venting when you’re busy with work.
My pulse raced.
Josh: What happened?
Carly: I took Scottie to the pool. But he had a meltdown while we were waiting for the senior swim to end. He couldn’t understand why we had to wait.
I immediately called her.
She picked up after one ring. “Hey.” She sounded down.
“Figured it would be easier to talk. Tell me what happened.”
“Yeah...” She sighed. “I couldn’t get him off the ground. He was kicking and screaming. By the time the senior swim was over, I didn’t want to reward his behavior by letting him get in. So we just came home.”
“Man, that sucks. I’m sorry it happened. But that was a good call to teach him a lesson. Otherwise, he’d keep pulling that to get his way.”
“I’m gonna try again tomorrow.”
I lay back. “You’re a trooper.”
“Well, looking after him is my full-time job right now. I can’t just give up when the going gets tough.”
“That’s not true. You always have that choice. A lot of people wouldn’t go back to the pool after that. That’s why you’re a trooper.”
She let out a long exhale that felt like it penetrated me. I could feel her tension from here. I should’ve been there today.
“Anyway, how’s Chicago?” she asked.
“Really freaking quiet.”
“No one randomly snapping photos of your junk?”
“Not yet, no. But the night is young.”