Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
“Okay, weirdo,” Julia says, rolling her eyes and laughing at the same time.
But when Ace walks away from our little friend group that’s gathered in the center of the rest of the Double C society, I don’t miss the fact that he doesn’t head to the dingy bathroom near the entrance or to the center of the crowd to chat with all the people he knows.
Instead, he makes a beeline for the makeshift stage at the front.
And then, he hops onto the stage and grabs the microphone.
What is he doing?
“What the fuck?” Finn questions.
But the answer comes from the smiling man with the mic. “I’d like to welcome everyone here tonight. This is our first official Double C event of the year, and while I think we can all agree that filling our previous president Lexi’s shoes is quite the big responsibility, the secret chairs of our even secreter society have chosen me to take on that role.”
Several hoots and hollers come from the crowd at his announcement.
“They made a good choice, right?” Ace muses into the mic. “I mean, if there’s one person who knows how to have some fucking fun, it’s me.”
“Hell yeah!”
“President Acer!”
“This is going to be a good fucking year!”
It’s clear he has the approval of the crowd, and I swear I can see his ego grow right along with his smile.
“Holy shit,” Finn mutters. “Ace Kelly is president of Double C.”
“This is awesome!” Scottie says through several amused laughs.
And I can’t disagree with her. If there’s one guy who should be running a secret society, it’s Ace Kelly. Though, I’m a little scared to think about the events he’s going to be tossing our way. Fingers crossed, none of us ends up in handcuffs.
Ace continues to schmooze his constituents with jokes and commentary, and as I look around the room, taking in all the smiling, entertained faces, I’m shocked to find Julia standing there with a furrowed brow and her lips set into a firm line.
She’s not smiling or laughing or enjoying the fact that her best friend is standing on that stage. Instead, she looks…upset.
“You good, Jules?” I ask her, and when she meets my eyes, the smile that follows on her lips feels off. It feels forced.
“Of course,” she says, clearing her throat. “Just surprised, you know?”
“You didn’t know about this?”
“Nope.” She shakes her head, and her throat bobs a little as she swallows. “I just found out right now…with everyone.”
Of all the people in the world Ace talks to, Julia Brooks is his go-to girl. They’ve been best friends their whole lives, and even in college, they’re basically attached at the hip.
But maybe he couldn’t tell her? Maybe there’s some kind of rule against it?
I don’t know.
Scottie asks Julia to go the bathroom with her, and Julia doesn’t hesitate to take hold of Scottie’s wheelchair and guide her toward the entrance doors behind us.
Ace is still working the crowd, and I just sit back and enjoy the show, reveling in one of my best friends living his moment in the sun.
Though, my attention gets diverted pretty quick when my phone vibrates in my pocket, and I find a text message from Lexi.
Lexi: You shocked?
Immediately, I know what she’s referring to.
Me: Completely. But also, not at all. It makes sense.
Lexi: Yeah, I thought so too.
Me: What are you doing right now?
Lexi: Watching a documentary on YouTube in bed.
Me: And what are you wearing?
Lexi: Does it matter?
Me: Yes, it matters. I need a visual, babe.
Lexi: Just one of your T-shirts.
Me: Let me get this straight. You’re in my bed, and you’re only wearing my T-shirt? No bra? No panties?
Lexi: That is correct.
Me: I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.
Lexi: Oh my God, you’re insane. Stay with your friends. I’ll be here all night.
Ha. Like I want to stay out when I have Lexi in my bed?
Me: Make it eight minutes. I can run.
Thirty seconds later, I’m out the entrance doors after giving Finn a lame excuse of needing to go home. Two minutes after that, I’m running across campus, straight in the direction of my apartment. By the time I’m walking through my door, I’m a little sweaty and out of breath, but the fact that I shaved a minute off my estimated time makes it all worth it.
I don’t waste another minute slipping off my shoes at the door and heading straight for my bedroom.
Though, when I get there, I find a completely naked Lexi in my bed.
She offers me a little wave. “Hi, honey. I’m so glad you’re home.”
“Yeah. I made the right choice,” I say and start to remove my own clothes. “I mean, it was cool seeing Ace running the show—a little odd that it wasn’t you—but I’m happy for him.” My jeans and T-shirt hit the floor. “Though, not going to lie, it kind of felt like Julia was mad or something,” I update as I slide off my boxer briefs and crawl onto the bed. “Which is weird, right? I would’ve thought Julia would’ve been happy for him.”