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Because I’m bored as shit and going out of my mind thinking about your sister.
GRAHAM: Jace stay in? The life of the party? That’s a first.
ATLAS: Who died?
ME: Very funny, dickheads. Last time I went to the club, I got wasted and brought a chick home with Brynn here. Let’s just say it didn’t end well.
I think about my night with Teresa and the look on Brynn’s face when she walked in on us. Despite apologizing for it, Brynn still doesn’t know I told her to leave just before she walked in and saw us, and even though it feels significant, what would be the point in telling her? It’s not like I have a chance with her, and even if I did, is she supposed to be impressed I couldn’t follow through with someone else because my thoughts were filled with her?
Has she told Teagan about it? Shit, I hope not. But if she did, now is the time for him to mention it.
TEAGAN: What’s Brynn up to? We talked earlier and she seemed like she could use a night in. Said she’sbeen running a lot. Why don’t you ask her to hang out?
GRAHAM: Um, do you want him to get murdered?
ATLAS: Even I know that’s a bad idea.
KNOX: Wait a minute. I think Graham’s onto something. After all, you were the one that suggested she move in with Jace in the first place. Maybe this is all a part of your master plan. WHAT DOES JACE HAVE ON YOU AND WHY DO YOU WANT HIM GONE?
Teagan texts him a middle finger emoji and I snort.
ME: I’ll take it under advisement.
TEAGAN: Seriously, Taggart. Don’t hang out by yourself like a sad motherfucker. Text my sister. Your fragile heart can’t take the solitude.
I snort.
ME: Yeah, yeah. I’ll consider it.
I exit the group chat and stare at my phone. If Teagan knew the way I’ve acted around Brynn these last few weeks, I’m not so sure he’d be suggesting we hang out. But I’d be lying if I said the thought of spending an evening alone with her didn’t sound appealing. Our dinner together last weekend was a lot of fun, and I’ve wanted a repeat ever since.
Opening my contacts, I stare at her name and number while I try to talk myself out of texting her.
She’s busy.
I’m the last person she wants to spend a Saturday night with.
It’s only going to make me think about her more.
If she says no, I’ll feel like the world's biggest douchebag.
We’re in a good place, and chances are I’ll do something to fuck it up, and then we’ll be back at square one with her hating me and me playing along because it’s all I can get.
All of these things are true, yet the persistent voice in the back of my head is louder. It tells me to throw caution to the wind because the cold, hard truth is I got a taste of Brynn and all I want is more.
BRYNN
I slide into the passenger seat of Charlotte’s Honda and sigh when the sweet relief of the air conditioning blasts through the vents. “Today is a scorcher.” I say as I peel the sleeveless top I’m wearing away from my damp skin to try and get some air.
“I know. I’d kill for a swimming pool and a spiked lemonade.” Charlotte fans her face, her cheeks pink from the heat.
“And a hot man to rub sunscreen all over us,” Samantha chimes in.
I chuckle as Charlotte pulls out into traffic at the same time my phone vibrates and I check the screen. My stomach tumbles at the sight of Jace’s name. It’s been a week since we had dinner together, and things between us are surprisingly good. I no longer hide away in his bedroom. Instead, I come and go like a normal person without worrying about whether I’ll be seen. I eat breakfast at the little eat-in dining table, fix myself meals. And, bonus, Jace has kept his lethal lips and tongue to himself. He’seven toned down the lectures, despite my having gone out the last three nights in a row with Charlotte and Samantha, hitting up both Bradd’s and the new pool hall downtown.
I don’t know whether this shift in dynamic is due to a change in his behavior or mine, but whatever it is, I’m relieved. Turns out the truce was the best idea I’ve had in a long time.
I swipe open my screen and stare down at his text.
