AllFreeNovel
Share Us
etter than to judge a book by a cover, and I find myself wondering about their life in the Heights.
“Maybe you should take a photo, it’ll last longer,” he whisper-hisses, his intense gaze settling on my face. Mom and James are deep in conversation. Business talk, no doubt.
Cole barely cracks a smirk at his brother’s attempt to get under my skin.
“Actually, I was looking at your tattoos.”
“You like ink?” He seems surprised.
“I like art.”
He studies me like I’m a puzzle he’s trying to solve but quickly averts his eyes.
Okay, then.
Ellen breezes into the room and begins clearing away the plates.
“Thank you, Ellen,” James says. “It was lovely.”
“Clean plates all around, the best compliment a cook can ever have.” She turns her attention to the boys. “Now, who wants dessert?”
“Dessert sounds great.” Ace walks his finger up my thigh again, keeping his attention ahead.
I roughly grab his fingers, bending them backward. He lets out a garbled sound, tearing his hand away. Shooting him a saccharine smile, I cross my legs, putting as much distance between us as possible.
“So, Cole,” Mom says. “James says you play football.”
He shrugs, grunting some inaudible reply.
“Are you any good?”
“He’s going all the way to the NFL, baby.” Conner slaps his hand down on the table.
“Con,” Ace warns, and the two of them share a look.
“Remi’s friend Bexley plays for the Seahawks. He’s the quarterback.” Pride fills her voice, as if it somehow matters.
“Bexley? What the fucking kind of name is Bexley?” Conner barks out a laugh.
“The Danforths are one of the wealthiest families in the state. Bexley is following in his daddy’s footsteps and going to Stanford next fall. I’m sure Remi will introduce you all.”
The three brothers stare at my mom like she’s lost her goddamn mind, and I’m beginning to wonder if she has.
Ace and Bexley becoming friends... yeah, never going to happen.
“I can hardly wait,” Ace deadpans.
“I spoke to Coach Miller just last week and he’s looking forward to seeing Cole at practice.”
“You got him on the team?” Conner chokes out. “Cole... playing for the Seahawks?”
“Well, I assume he’ll have to try out like any new player, but yes, I pulled some strings.”
“You pulled some strings?” Ace’s tone makes my blood run cold. I glance down and notice his hand curled into a tight fist against his thigh.
“Ace,” James releases an exasperated breath. “This is a good thing. Cole has real potential...”
“Potential?” he spits. “What do you know about Cole’s potential?”
