Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 104151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
“If you want to check up on me, then you should come soon because Josh will be brushing his teeth in thirty minutes, then I’m reading him bedtime stories. If you show up later than that, you could wake him.”
Or catch me getting into Erin’s car at the end of the drive.
“I don’t have to come over. I trust you,” she said.
“You do? I mean, thanks. There’s no reason not to trust me.”
“Did Kyle think he’d be out past ten?” she asked.
“He said somewhere between ten and eleven. I said that’s fine since it’s a short walk home, and I don’t have to be at work until nine tomorrow.” I played it super cool.
“Okay, call me if you need anything. I think I’m going to take a hot bath. I’ve had a slight headache all day,” she said.
“Well, I hope the bath helps.”
“Me too. Bye, hun.”
I hung up the phone for two seconds before picking it up again and calling Erin.
“Hello?” her mom answered.
“Hi. Is Erin there?”
“Oh, hi, Eve. Yes, I’ll get her.”
A few seconds later, Erin picked up. “Hey.”
“Where have you been? I’ve been trying to call you since yesterday. You have to come get me at eight fifteen. Pick me up at the end of the Tallmans’ driveway.”
“I thought you were grounded.”
“I am. But the guy who bought the Tallmans’ house has a five-year-old son, and I’m sort of babysitting tonight, but my parents don’t think I’ll be home until ten or eleven, and Kyle, the dad, will be back at eight. And oh my gosh, Erin! I have so much to tell you.”
“I can’t go out tonight. We were visiting my grandparents yesterday and we just got home a few hours ago, but I have a sore throat and a fever, so there’s no way my mom’s letting me leave.”
“Nooo. Are you being serious? Ugh! I’m so desperate to go out. My parents watch my every move, but tonight, I have a decoy.”
“Sorry. Call Nicole.”
I frowned because I didn’t want to go out with Nicole. All she ever wanted to do was eat at McDonald’s and shop at Claire’s for earrings. And I didn’t have my ears pierced.
“It’s fine,” I grumbled in a less-than-fine tone. “Sorry you’re not feeling well. Get better, and I’ll call you tomorrow to tell you everything.”
“Tell me now.”
“No. I have to get Josh ready for bed.”
“Fine. Tomorrow. See ya.” She hung up, and I jogged up the stairs.
“Josh, time to brush your teeth.”
He made up for the clogged toilet incident by getting ready for bed without dilly-dallying or uttering a single complaint. I probably could have learned a few things from him.
By the time I got halfway through one book, he was asleep. I shut off the light and partially closed his door. Feeling extra snoopy, I tiptoed into Kyle’s bedroom, but before I could find the light switch, I heard a door creak, so I hurried down the stairs, composing myself while turning the corner into the kitchen.
“Hey,” I said with my hands folded behind my back, going for the most innocent pose I could find. “You know, there are brown bears here in southern Missouri. You must be careful hanging out alone at night by the creek.”
“I wasn’t alone.” He set his blanket and flashlight on the counter and deposited his empty beer cans into the sink.
“Oh?”
“I was with my friends, Smith & Wesson.” He pulled a gun out from the back of his jeans.
My eyes popped out of my head. We didn’t own any guns. And while I heard Adam mention guns the previous day, I imagined a rifle, not a handgun.
“A math teacher with a gun,” I mumbled.
He grinned, removing the ammunition. “What do you take when drinking by the creek and staring at the stars?”
I peeled my gaze from the gun on the counter and lifted it to his face. “I take friends.”
Kyle chuckled, resting his backside against the counter and tucking his fingers into his front pockets. “And they protect you?”
After a few blinks, I overcame my shock and mustered a grin. “Yes. I’m the fastest runner.”
He barked a laugh, and I felt my face flush because he had the sexiest smile, the sexiest everything, really.
I pressed a finger to my lips. “Shh. Josh is asleep.”
He rubbed his mouth while his eyes gleamed with amusement. “Sorry. You’re right.” His gaze shifted to the clock by the fridge. “What time are you sneaking out?”
I deflated. “I’m not. My best friend is sick. Did you save me any beer?”
Kyle lifted his eyebrows. “You know those really cool teachers who give students alcohol?”
“No. I’ve never met a teacher who gave their students alcohol.”
He shook his head. “Me neither.”
I scowled. “Respectfully, you’re an idiot.”
“Respectfully?” He cocked his head to the side.
“I was taught to respect my elders,” I said.
“Oh, so saying ‘respectfully’ before calling someone an idiot makes it okay?”