Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50681 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50681 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
“Jenna and Rory. And what do you think they’re doing? They’re fucking to their own porny soundtrack…grunting, groaning, ‘Oh baby, right there.’ You name it, they’re doing it. I was about to knock on the door and usher them out, but I’m too close to the situation and once the dialogue started, I just couldn’t do it.” Mitch sighed, then cocked his head. “But you could.”
I pointed at my chest and shook my head emphatically. “No way. I’m not touching that.”
Mitch grinned mischievously. “Why not? They might ask you to join them. Isn’t that a straight guy’s fantasy? Two guys and a girl or is it one guy, two girls or—”
“Not my thing, wise guy. I’ve had my hands full trying to avoid Amanda for the past hour. She’s being very…clingy,” I griped.
Chelsea made a funny face. “She’s harmless. She’s trying to make Derek jealous.”
“That’s ridiculous. Derek’s my best friend. I would never go out with his ex,” I huffed.
“That’s ’cause you’re a good guy, Evan.” Chelsea gave me a sappy smile. “Hey, why didn’t we ever go out? I guess we still could. We’re young and free. But let’s not talk about our fushure tonight. I’m a little drunk. I might not remember. And if you and me do somethin’, I gotta ’member it.”
“Right. Let’s get you some water and fresh air,” Mitch said, handing her a water bottle.
“First, I gotta fix the happy humper situation.”
“I’ll take care of it.” Mitch gently guided her outside through the kitchen door.
“You can’t. Rory is your—”
“Don’t worry, Chels. I won’t go by myself,” Mitch turned to me with a look I couldn’t quite read. “Evan will help me. Right, Evan?”
“Uh…”
“See? He’s brimming with enthusiasm! God, I love that in a guy,” he teased.
I snickered at his comedic expression and uncapped my bottle of water. I guzzled half of it, then looked up to find Mitch paused in the doorway, giving me an admiring double take. He did that sometimes. Maybe it was his way of testing my “straight dude” boundaries. The thought alone should have made me chuckle. Gay or straight or anywhere in between…a little flirting never hurt anyone. But when my heart did a funny flip in my chest that left me feeling dizzy, I wondered for the umpteenth time why I didn’t seem immune to him.
I followed them outdoors and sucked in a breath of balmy evening air. It was a gorgeous night, and the relative quiet was a nice change from the chaotic atmosphere of the house. I stood next to Mitch and surveyed the yard. Light spilled from the living room onto the deck, but the shadows were long and it was hard to see well. I spotted Derek sitting on the top step of the deck, chatting with a few people I didn’t recognize. I sipped my water and cast a sideways glance at Mitch and Chelsea as they greeted a few friends on the lawn.
I hung back and started to turn away just as Mitch glanced over his shoulder.
“You look lost in thought. Are you planning your getaway?” Mitch asked.
“Getaway from what?”
“Me.”
“No, I…uh…” I tried to think of a witty reply and came up with, “How’s school going?”
Fuck. See? What the hell was wrong with me? I couldn’t open my mouth without saying something lame around him.
Mitch’s crooked smile made his eyes light up, which was a funny thing to notice in the dark. It made him look…pretty. Or maybe that was the wrong word. Compelling fit better. And interesting. He looked like the type of person who always had twenty balls in the air and a million thoughts in his head. Yet somehow, he seemed perfectly in control.
“Well, it hasn’t started yet, but my classes look interesting this semester. You?”
“Same. We start next week.”
Silence.
That was my cue. I nodded distractedly and stepped backward, mentally preparing my exit speech. Then I opened my mouth and spewed more awkwardness.
“Do you live here with Chelsea now?” I knew the answer but apparently, I was determined to up my lame game.
“Me? Here? Are you insane?” He shuddered dramatically.
“What’s wrong with it?” I asked, glancing around the darkened yard of our friend’s notorious party pad.
“Nothing at all…unless you like waking up with strangers on your sofa.”
“Or screwing in your bed,” I interjected with a half laugh.
A shadow crossed his face, making him look impossibly sad. Before I could ask what was wrong, he smiled and the frown faded so fast I could have convinced myself I’d imagined it.
“I love Chelsea and I’d do almost anything for her, but I need peace and quiet too. Like right now…this is nice. People are talking and you can hear the music through the open door, but it’s a welcoming background noise layered with silence.”
“I don’t hear silence,” I countered as someone howled with laughter.