Page 185 of No Headlines Please

She studied my shirt. "Is that on backwards?"

I answered automatically. "I don't think so."

She squinted. "Are you sure? It looks kind of funny."

Finally, I looked down. All I saw was black cotton fabric and no wording whatsoever, which meant…damn it. The text that belonged on the front was obviously on the back.

Well, that was unfortunate.

Forget Tessa. While I'd bolted for my own bedroom, Maddox would've seen exactly what the shirt said.

Monsters Need Love, too.

But he wasn't a monster. Actually, he was pretty spectacular. And the thought of everything we'd done last night made my skin feel toasty warm in spite of my bare legs and the cool wooden floor beneath my feet.

Reluctantly, I looked up and confessed, "Well…I guess it might be on backwards."

Again, her gaze drifted to that connecting bathroom door. In that moment, I knew exactly what she was thinking. Heck, I'd be thinking it, too.

I was late for coffee, completely disheveled, and blushing like a teenager in trouble.

But was it any wonder?

I was so busted.

I turned and eyed my cellphone on the nightstand. Now that my head was clearing, I recalled not only the plans we'd made for coffee, but also the fact I'd set my alarm to make sure I was awake and ready.

I looked back to Tessa and winced. "I'm really sorry. I guess I didn't hear my alarm."

She gave the phone a dubious glance, like she knew the exact reason I hadn't heard it.

I hadn't been sleeping in my own bed.

Before she could reply, I rushed to say, "Just give me twenty minutes, alright? I'll be showered and ready to go."

When her gaze drifted once again to that connecting bathroom door, I could practically see the wheels turning. She was wondering if I'd be showering alone.

But hey, I wasn't completely shameless.

I totally would.

Maybe.

70

Rate the Hate

Maddox

Ryder leaned against the kitchen counter, a cup of coffee already in hand. "I wouldn't say she hates you."

I reached for the coffee pot. "But you wouldn't say she doesn't."

I poured myself half a cup, mostly to give my hands something to do. Normally, I didn't give two shits if someone hated me or not. But Delaney's sister?

Yeah, that could be a problem.

This was why I'd asked Ryder, flat-out, how bad Tessa hated me.