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July 26 - July 26, 2025
Our brother is just trying to follow his heart. Who are we to stop him?” “It’s not stalking if I was invited to the party,” I grunted. “And I’m not following my heart. I’m just doing Violet a favor.” “Sorry, did I say heart?” Parker replied. “I meant dick.”
“Just kiss her already,” Parker yelled from the car. “And on that note, I need to go pummel my brother,” Reed said
Yes, I really was that nervous to see Reed again. The more concerning question though was why.
I was rambling, and I hoped my sales pitch didn’t sound too desperate. I guessed this was what happened when you liked a girl you had no chance with.
“So, if it wasn’t my big heart you were talking about, was it another part of me?”
“Let’s just forget about that entirely and focus on the real problem.” “Which is?” “How people are going to react when they find out the truth.” “That you’re a great kisser?”
My heart leaped up like an overeager puppy. Down, boy, that doesn’t mean she likes us.
“Hold on a minute, Sunshine,” I said as she jumped from the truck. “One more thing. Weren’t you supposed to bring my jacket tonight?” She shrugged, and a wry smile pulled at her lips. “I’m your girlfriend now, aren’t I? I think that means I get to keep it.”
And I was left trying to ignore how much I’d enjoyed it when she called herself my girlfriend.
Reed’s lips were far too skilled, and I’d enjoyed it far too much.
“Reed, wait,” she said, reaching out to touch my arm. “Thanks for backing me up with Jeremy. You’re a good fake boyfriend.” I smiled down at her, trying my best not to flinch at the sound of the word fake.
“Well, I wouldn’t want to keep my girlfriend waiting.” I took her hand in mine, just in case Hoffman was still around. At least, that’s what I told myself. It had nothing to do with how much I liked the way her slender fingers fit between mine. Absolutely nothing.
The intimate way he was looking at me caused my cheeks to flush, and I was glad a table separated us. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to hide the way his words had filled my stomach with butterflies if he was sitting right at my side or if his arm was wrapped around me, holding me close.
“Yep, best friends since our first day of school,” Matt replied. “We both had the same Spider-Man lunchboxes, and I simply can’t ignore a sign from fate.” “How cute,” I said. “Not cute. Manly. Totally manly,” Matt replied, making me laugh.
“Probably not my best idea,” I agreed. “But I really like her. And with her refusing to date hockey players and all the crap people say about me, this is the only way I’d ever have a chance with her.”
“Let’s go, Reedy.”
“No, but he disappeared under suspicious circumstances not long after I got him. He somehow escaped his enclosure, got down the stairs, and went out the front. Funnily enough, the kid next door got a bearded dragon the following week.” “Highly suspicious.” “I know, right?” Her eyes crinkled at the corners as she laughed. Her amusement was contagious, and it was almost impossible not to smile at her in return.
“Look, I think we all know I’m the real knight in this family,” Parker added, making everyone groan. “Dude, you’re the one the girls need rescuing from,” Cammie said. Even Reed’s mom and dad joined in with the laughter that erupted from the table.
Reed jumped up from his chair as soon as he saw me enter the room. His eyes lit up, and he gave me a warm smile. He started to walk toward me but bumped into the coffee table and almost tripped. I spluttered out a laugh. He was blushing, and it was actually really cute.
“Well, that too, but no, I’m talking about how he spent hours working at his dad’s garage to get all the repairs done.”
