Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
“Who’s on the other end of the texting line?” Tiffany leans into me, attempting to see my message. “Aww, Elle, she thinks we’re ladies.”
Another round of laughter begins.
Nathan: Virgin? Alcohol free I assume?
Gwen: Yes…
“Are you texting pretty boy from earlier? You’re all smiley.” Elle says and downs the rest of her drink. Tiffany refills it for her with the glass jug full of ugly purple fluid on the table.
“No, it’s Nathan.” I admit and place my phone back in my pocket.
“Dillan’s uncle? Damn, he’s hot.”
“And brooding. Did you see that smouldering look he had on his face?” Tiffany adds and fans her face. “He single?”
I nod. “But he’s complicated.”
“You’re taken.” Elle snaps playfully at her friend.
“I can dream. So, what’s the deal with Nathan? Why’s he got Dillan and not his brother?”
I should tell them, but I feel like such a sob story when I do tell people. It’ll just ruin the night.
Fortunately I’m saved from explanations when her phone starts ringing. They seem to forget when Tiffany trips over the coffee table on the way to answer it and ends up sprawled on the floor in an uncomfortable looking starfish position. My gut hurts from laughing so hard.
CHAPTER FIVE
“Mum?” I say as I lean against the doorframe to the kitchen. She stirs her coffee slowly, still half asleep.
“Yeah?” She looks at me through swollen bloodshot eyes. “You look nice.”
“You’re working too hard.” I frown and wipe down the area around her cup after entering the kitchen. “Do you think it’s too soon for me to start dating?”
She tenses, her hands gripping the cup tighter than before. I daren’t look at her to gauge her reaction, just in case I see judgement in her eyes. Suddenly her hand wraps around mine and I gulp, waiting for her harsh words of wisdom.
“Baby,” I’m shocked at the soft tone of her voice, “I don’t think so. I think you’re young and I think you need to have some fun.” I look at her in horror, but she laughs and shakes her head. “Not kinky fun.”
“I don’t know. I’m just… I feel so guilty.”
“Are you ready?”
“Will I ever be?” My eyes water. I lower my head onto my arms and tilt it towards her fingers, which begin running through my hair.
She lets out a long breath. “Don’t push yourself into it and don’t let anybody else push you into it. I think you’re now at a place where you can entertain the idea. You’re doing a lot better than you were.”
“You think?” I sniff and peek up at her through my lashes, my eyes now probably as swollen as hers.
“Yes. When you first came home you were…” She shudders slightly at the memory. “A robot. But then again, you had just been through a lot with Nathan.” Her eyes seek mine as she leans closer. “I know you care about him.”
My teeth find the inside of my cheek and grip it tight.
“Maybe more than you should.” She whispers this and I’m unsure why.
“No.” I deny it. It’s not true. “We never… nothing ever happened between us. Not like that.” Well it did, but it was all him. Not me. I didn’t reciprocate it. Did I?
Her lips tilt up at the corners. “I know. You don’t need to have sex to love somebody.”
My mouth opens, then closes, then opens again. “That… I don’t love him that way.” I love him, just not in a romantic way. Like a brother maybe? No, that’s not right. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Nathan as a brother. Love leads to sex when it’s not in a familial sense. Could I have sex with Nathan? The thought isn’t as appalling as it should be.
“Okay.” She definitely doesn’t agree, so why is she agreeing?
How can I be so ridiculous? Me and Nathan? No way. Not a chance. “This guy asked me out. He’s picking me up in an hour.” Now Eric, he should be the kind of guy I’m thinking of in those terms. I think…
“Oh.” She nods slowly. “Is he hot?”
“Mum!” I laugh, my cheeks heating. “Yes, I suppose he is good to look at.”
Fortunately she seems pleased with this. “Good. Where’s he taking you?”
Shrug. “No idea.”
“You be careful. Keep your phone tucked in your bra!”
“Yes mother.” I sigh good-naturedly and step away. “Want to help me get ready?”
Her lips stretch into a wide smile. “Definitely. I never got a chance when you were with Caleb. He loved you the way you were.”
Giggles overcome me. “Why do you look so upset about that? That’s what all parents should want for their kids!” She joins in my laughter and gives me a small shrug.
“I wanted to do your hair and makeup and get excited over your dates. Instead I got a ‘hi mum, bye mum’ and then an ‘I’m moving out mum’.”