“She took tomorrow off work so she can paint. Relax, Ma. She’ll be here.”
“She’s such a dote.” Ma squishes my cheeks. “You did well, son. Don’t mess it up.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I drawl, extracting myself from her hands. “See you later,” I say, walking off. “Pixie!” I holler up the stairs. “Get your skates on.”
“I’m coming,” my little sis says, bounding down the stairs in her ballet gear, her brown curls bouncing around her shoulders as she descends.
I grab her bag and my gym bag, and we walk over to the Nevans’. The girls like going to ballet and swimming together, so Astrid is driving us in her hatchback because it’s too much of a squish in my truck. I’m considering trading it in for an SUV, which is more practical.
Astrid and Freja exit the house as we’re walking up the driveway. Freja squeals and rushes across the grass to her best friend. The girls hug, and I smile, loving seeing my little sister so happy. She loves school and her new friends. The only blip is missing Dara, but he FaceTimes every week, and he’s coming to visit at Christmas when he has time off from uni. Ma can’t wait. I know she misses my older brother like crazy.
“Hey, weirdo.” Astrid smiles up at me.
I boop her on the nose. “Right back at ya.” Ever since that night in my room, almost three weeks ago, she loves teasing me, and I love hearing it. We have slotted into our fake relationship with ease, and being around her so much makes everythingbetter. I didn’t think I’d ever settle here, but I’m happier now, and I know a lot of it is to do with the beautiful blonde by my side.
Pretending with her is as natural as breathing.
“You look like you’re expecting a snowstorm,” I joke. She’s wrapped up in a pink puffer jacket and scarf, even though it’s warm and sunny today.
“Tease me all you like, Irish, but you should expect the unexpected when it comes to Vermont weather, and layering should become your new skill.”
“I’ll take my chances, beautiful,” I say before tipping my head up to catch some rays on my face. Astrid isn’t wrong though. It pissed rain for three days straight this week, and the temp dropped, but now it’s like a summer’s day in Ireland.
“Come on, lovebirds,” Erin calls out, and I clasp Astrid’s hand, steering her toward the car.
I load the bags into the boot while the girls climb into the back seat, and Astrid gets behind the wheel.
“Astrid, did Freja tell you about the Christmas show?” Erin asks, leaning forward as Astrid backs out of the drive.
“She did. I’m so excited you both got big parts, and I can’t wait to see it.”
“Will you be going with Callan as hisdate?” Freja pipes up, and the two girls giggle.
“Of course,” I reply, glancing back at our sisters as Astrid maneuvers out onto the road. “That’s what boyfriends and girlfriends do.”
“I can’t wait to have a boyfriend,” Freja says, sporting a dreamy expression.
“Me too,” Erin adds, and a scowl automatically lands on my face.
“You can forget about that until you’re at least eighteen.”
“Astrid went on her first date when she was thirteen,” Freja says.
“I was nearly fourteen,” Astrid replies, keeping her eyes on the road.
“How many boyfriends did you have before Callan?” Erin asks, and I’m curious to hear this answer myself.
“Not that many.” Astrid glances at me briefly. Is she worried what I think?
“She had four!” Freja announces.
“Most only lasted a couple of months.”
“Except for Joe. You dated him way longer, and he was my favorite. He used to bring me candy all the time.”
“Those are the ones you need to watch out for,” I say, but the point is lost on Astrid’s innocent ten-year-old sister.
Hemsworth seems to have finally gotten the message now Astrid has blocked his number and refuses to talk to him at all. Wish I could say the same for Ana. That bitch does not know the meaning of the word no, and she’s seriously getting on my nerves. It doesn’t help that she broke it off with Garner, and he is—apparently—gunning for my arse because he thinks it’s to do with me.
