Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
I laugh. “Willow, I can’t believe you just asked that.”
“Well, is he?”
I nod, my cheeks on fire. “Yes, he’s amazing.”
Willow clutches her chest. “I’m so happy for you.”
“What about Lake?” I ask her when her face falls slightly. “He’s good, right?”
Willow sucks in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Let’s just say, we’re still working out the kinks.”
I want to ask what this means, but Brock barges into the laundry room. “Mom’s looking for you,” he says to me, then he stares at Willow. “Should have known you’d be hiding in here from everyone.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Willow crosses her arms against her chest.
“Just means you’re probably causing trouble. Getting Anya to do something bad, like when Anya was in high school and you talked her into skipping class.”
Willow brushes past me so she can poke a finger into Brock’s chest. “That wasn’t me, by the way, that was April Billingsworth, and we don’t talk to her anymore because she’s a mean girl. Just like you’re a mean boy.”
Brock laughs. “You don’t even know me.”
“I know you well enough, and you’re mean.”
Brock steps closer, towering over Willow’s shorter frame. “Only to you.” And he walks out of the laundry room.
Willow pushes her brown curls off her face. “I hate your brother.”
Trying to ease the tension, I laugh. “He’s only joking with you, Willow. He isn’t only mean to you.” But he kind of is.
I don’t know what the issue is with Brock and Willow, but they’ve always fought with each other. Ever since they were little.
Together Willow and I head back into the kitchen, and I smile when I spot Griffin helping my mother cook.
“Did you need me, Mom?” I ask her, and my mother smiles.
“Can you and Griffin head to the store and pick up another jug of milk? We’ve completely run out.”
Willow stifles a laugh beside me, and I nudge her with my elbow. Real smooth.
“Um, sure. Okay.” I shake my head, trying my best to pretend my mother isn’t the most obvious person in the whole wide world.
Griffin and I walk side by side, heading toward the front door when Callum stops us.
“Where are you two off to?” he asks with an arch of his brow.
“Mom wants us to pick up milk. She says we’re out.”
“I just saw a full jug in the fridge in the garage.” He heads in that direction, and returns quickly with a carton of milk, and Griffin laughs beside me.
Callum hauls Griffin away, and I head back into the kitchen.
“Nice try, Mom,” I say.
She shrugs. “Had to try something.”
I want to tell my mother all about Griffin and me, but I know my mother, she can not keep a secret. And this is a biggie.
“Hi Carol,” Millie says, walking into the kitchen with Hartford and Brock.
“Millie, how’s the store?” my mother asks her.
Millie’s a cute little blonde who owns the local bookstore downtown. She’s got these bright blue eyes, and she’s always smiling. It shows off her dimples in each cheek.
“It’s going well. I can’t believe next month will be two years since it's been open.”
“Time flies,” I say.
“Anya, hey. Claire has been non stop talking about her anniversary dinner you held for her at Atta Boy.”
“Yeah, we had a great time.”
Tripp stalks into the kitchen, and stops when he sees us all talking.
“Hey Tripp,” my mother says. “Did you and Dad figure out the table?”
He shrugs, nods, and flies out of the kitchen like he was just struck by lightning.
“Wonder what his deal is,” Brock says, leaning to give Millie a kiss on the cheek. “I’m gonna go and talk to him.”
As soon as he leaves I breathe a sigh of relief that the conversation is no longer focused on Griffin and me. I keep wanting to seek him out. Be around him if not only for a second. I wonder if I could text him to meet me up in my bedroom.
No, that’s way too risky. But why am I pulling out my phone?
Chapter 20
Griffin
I’m standing outside talking with Callum, Shepherd, Paxton, and Brock. Well, they are talking, my mind is too focused on Anya. Being here with the entire Atwood family is making this secret we have going incredibly difficult. My hands itch to touch her. My lips crave hers. My body is acutely aware of her even when she’s not around.
It’s hard and I don’t just mean the situation.
“Right, Griff?” Callum asks, slapping my back.
“What?” I ask, looking at the four of them.
They all laugh as Paxton shakes his head. “I know that look all too well.”
“What look?” Callum asks, staring at me.
“The look of falling in love,” Paxton says, smiling.
“What?” Callum and I both ask.
“Who’s the girl?” Brock asks.
“Falling in love is a myth,” Shepherd says, lifting his shoulders.
“You’re dating and didn’t tell me?” Callum questions, dipping his brow.