He opens his eyes and sits up so fast that we nearly bash heads.
"Jesus, Squeak!" He frowns and scoots back. "Nice stealth mode."
"Sorry. I was trying to figure out if you were asleep." That's only partially a lie.
He stands up, stretching. That tempting line of skin flashes at me again, then it's gone. He hits a button on the remote.
"I gotta go," he says and starts to head upstairs.
"Where?"
He waves me off. "I have a thing."
"A thing?"
"Yep. See you around." He hits the stairs, taking them two at a time.
Right. Ever since we kissed, he's been absent as much as possible. At least when we were bickering, that was some sort of relationship. He was mean to me... but he acknowledged my existence.
Now his presence is remote. Not icy, but aloof,
Sighing, I text Beck, asking how Rosie is doing and if they're ready for a visitor. It's been a while. And maybe we can hatch a better housing plan for me while I get to hang out with the world's coolest kid.
Beck doesn't respond right away. That's fine, I didn't really expect him to.
Gordie thumps his tail at me from his dog bed on the floor of the living room. When I make myself a bowl of yogurt and berries for lunch, he comes trotting in, sniffing the air.
"Here." I flip a blueberry in the air. He catches it with ease and snuffles around on the floor, looking for more. "Never enough for you, huh?"
Gordie’s amber eyes scan me. After a second, he gives up and pads back to his bed.
"Just like your dad," I grouse. "Next thing I know, you'll be spending all your time in Thorne's bedroom."
Thorne slams the front door on his way out. I look down and swallow the confusing emotions I'm feeling. I have no right to want more from Thorne. He's made that clear as day.
Actually, Thorne said that he wanted me, but he can’t have me. Because I’m his teammate, and possibly best friend’s, little sister. So basically Thorne likes everything about me but my brother.
Great. Just great.
I shouldn't be feeling so comfortable in Thorne’s space. This is not my home. It's temporary. I scrolled apartment ads on Zillow for less than a minute yesterday. But I found nothing in the same price range that I used to pay at my old apartment. Maybe I need to widen my search.
Or look for a roommate. I’m about to meet up with Indie, so maybe she’s looking for a roommate or knows someone who is.
Whistling to Gordie, I put on his leash and head outside. Indie is hanging out at the end of the dock, looking mournfully at the gate keypad.
"Hey!" I open the gate and step through.
"Oh, thank god you're here!" She hugs me, then kneels to greet Gordie. "I was starting to despair."
"Never fear. Your saviors are here!" I wiggle the leash and Indie smiles.
"So?" She starts down the walking path beside me. "How have things been this week? Life has been super hectic the last few days and I haven't heard a peep from you."
"Yeahhhh." I blow out a breath as Gordie stops to sniff something. "Honestly? Not great."
Indie slides me a look. "Because of Thorne? Or because your work has been stressful?"
"Work is great this time of year. We have time to breathe and plan for the upcoming season. I've also had a few viral TikToks."
