Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
He sniffs my neck.
“What are you doing?”
“Just making sure you haven’t been stepping out on me.” He sniffs again.
I wriggle from his grasp. “What are you, a dog? Stop smelling me.” I stride into the bathroom, but he grabs the door before I can shut it behind me.
Ignoring him, I grab my toothbrush and turn on the water.
“My buddy Tim saw you leave that frat party with Oliver Rhett.”
I spit out my mouth full of toothpaste. “You know Oliver?”
“He’s a fucking rich prick. Of course I know him. Everyone knows him.”
“Well, I didn’t before tonight.” I resume my brushing, refusing to give any credence to his jealousy.
“But you do now?”
I shrug, meeting his eyes in the mirror. “I guess,” I say around my toothbrush. “He bought me pancakes.” I’m not trying to poke the bear, but I don’t see the point in lying.
Chuck’s nostrils flare and his neck turns dark red. “Motherfucking asshole.”
I rinse out my mouth then turn the water hot to wash my face. “If you say so.” Nothing about Oliver struck me as asshole-ish. Chuck in this moment, however? That’s a different story.
“You liked that?” he asks.
“Liked what? The pancakes?” I face him while I scrub my face.
“Him feeding you. Acting like he likes that fat ass.”
I flinch before I can stop myself. Intellectually, I know there’s nothing wrong with my body. All bodies are good bodies, et cetera, et cetera. But I grew up with an image-obsessed mother who could never come to terms with her own above-average size. As a result, puberty was hell. She hounded me day in and day out about every bite that went into my mouth and every ounce I gained.
I just want to make sure you’re only gaining it in the right places.
I’m starting to see it in your thighs.
Your period is no excuse to consume empty calories.
Chuck grunts. “You do like it. You liked him feeding you. You want to tell yourself that he wouldn’t care if you got fat. But I’m here to tell you the hard truth. Oliver Rhett isn’t going to sweep you off your feet.”
I toss my washcloth in the sink. “I said he bought me pancakes, not a fucking engagement ring. Chill out.”
He sighs then pulls me into his arms. “I’m chill, okay? Sorry. I’m just all wound up about this fight.”
I close my eyes and rest my head against his chest. “I know. Things have been tense lately, though.” I take a breath and confess the thought that’s been haunting me all summer. “I’m wondering if me moving in was a bad idea.” I wanted another guy to kiss me tonight. Wanted it almost badly enough to make the move myself. Isn’t that a bad sign?
“Nah.” When he releases me, I step back, grateful to get away from his boozy stench. “After Wednesday, this will all be over.” He smacks my ass. “Just don’t go getting fat between now and then.” He strides out of the bathroom muttering, “Fucking pancakes.”
“Who gives an assignment this big during the first week of classes?” Miranda whines on our walk to The Naked Bean after class.
“It’s not that big, really,” I say, then soften my words with a smile. Miranda’s a freshman and my friend Julie’s little sister. When Julie found out we were in the same women’s studies lecture, she warned me that Miranda was a bit coddled through school and that she would lean heavily on me. “You’ll get used to it.”
I remember my first days of class on this campus—how strange it felt to be in such a quiet town after growing up in the constant bustle of Atlanta, how uncomfortable it was to be surrounded by strangers, how nervous I was about being able to meet the expectations of my professors.
We turn into The Naked Bean and plop our bags on a table just inside the door.
“Easy for you to say,” Miranda whines. “You get to live off-campus with that hot fighter. I’m stuck in the library trying to get my work done, and the only tens I meet are already taken.”
Yeah. Lucky me. But I flinch the second I register the thought. I’m not being fair.
This morning, I woke up to a note on the counter with a couple hundred-dollar bills on top.
Sorry I’ve been in a mood. I fucking love you so much it makes me crazy sometimes. Keep your Friday night free for me. I want to take you out. Thought you might want to use this to get yourself something sexy to wear for the occasion.
My first thought was that I would be long gone by Friday. Then I felt guilty. Chuck’s not perfect, but he can be sweet.
“You’ll find a relationship eventually,” I say. “You’re young. Don’t rush it.”
“I don’t want a relationship. I want a good time. I thought college was supposed to be fun,” she says, digging some cash from her backpack. “All I’m going to get to do is read and go to study tables. Ugh!” As if someone flipped a switch, all the whiny bitchiness falls off her face and is replaced by a smile. “Well, hello,” she says to someone over my shoulder.