“Uh-huh. Have fun on your date.”
She pursed her lips, her entire face scarlet. What was this new awkward air between us?
“I’m sorry I've got to leave you,” she said. “Ethan should be back soon. He’s probably with some girl.”
“That was my thought,” I murmured, trying my hardest not to take a peek at her cleavage again.
“Later, Mountain Man.”
I snorted. She always teased me about my height. From her… I didn’t mind it.
“Late, Ava,” I muttered.
But she didn’t move. She stayed in place and stared at me. She then blinked and finally moved. I shamelessly stared at her ass and the sway of her hips as she walked to the door.
“For the love of God. What the hell was that?” I whispered.
Hours later, I was rummaging through the kitchen. I was a little peeved that Ethan had abandoned me for a girl. My lips twisted wryly. I couldn’t be too hard on him. There was nothing wrong with giving your woman quality time. That was part ofwhy I was still single. Juggling school and sports left little time for socializing.
Just as I sat down to enjoy my meal—a huge sandwich with a side of Mrs. Montgomery’s famous baked mac and cheese—I heard the front door open. Rapid footsteps made their way closer. I’d know the sound of those angry footsteps anywhere. I’d been listening to them since I was ten.
Uh-oh, she’s on the warpath.
I could hear Ethan’s words echo in my head, and I chuckled. However, my amusement died the instant I saw her face. She wasn’t angry. She looked miserable. Her cheeks were blotchy, and her lips were in a trembling line as if she struggled not to cry. She hadn’t seen me yet because she had her head down, muttering to herself. When she looked up, she gasped.
“Lincoln… What are you still…” She glanced around the kitchen. “Where’s Ethan?”
“He dropped by for about an hour and had to leave again.”
“A girl?”
“Yup, Aubrey Keller. Can’t say I blame him for abandoning me.”
She let out a derisive snort and headed to the cupboard. I watched as she took out a jar of ranch dip and struggled to open it. Getting up, I crept behind her, plucked the jar from her fingers, and effortlessly twisted off the cap.
“Show off,” she murmured, but I heard the thanks in there somewhere.
“You’re welcome. Are you okay?”
“Fine. So you just decided to stay here alone?”
I shrugged. “I already told my parents I’d crash here. I expected Ethan and I to be shitfaced by now.”
She peeked up at me through her lashes as she lifted a spoonful of dip and stuffed it into her mouth. I frowned. Shegobbled down unhealthy things like this when she was stressed. Dip without the chips. Something was definitely wrong.
“Shitfaced? You guys aren’t even legal.”
“When has that ever stopped us?”
She rolled her eyes.
I took the jar from her.
“Hey! I was eating that.”
“It’s not healthy.”
She rolled her eyes and grumbled, “Health nut.”
