“Oh my god! Sorry!” she stammers, spinning around but not leaving. “Wait, where’s Molly?”
Under me, Molly squirms, freeing a hand. She lifts it in the air, waving lazily over my shoulder.
“Hey, Bess.”
FIFTEEN
MOLLY
Being interrupted post-coitus, with my legs still precariously draped over Josh’s shoulders, isnothow I expect the night to end.
“Oh my God!” Bess screeches, and I wish the floor would open up and swallow me whole. “You’re together-together!”
“Get out,” Josh growls, lowering my legs gently but keeping his broad back to the door, shielding me from view.
“Bro, is that… Molly?” Pete’s voice joins the chaos. He squints into the dim light, his expression turning to horror as realization hits. “Fuck, itis.”Then, the bastard makes a choked gagging noise.
I snatch a shoe off the couch and hurl it at his head. “Fuck you, Peter! I’m allowed to have sex, you know!”
He ducks easily, spinning around so his back faces us. “But not where I need to see it!”
“Get the fuck out!” Josh barks, his tone absolutely lethal.
“Surprise!” shouts an altogether all too familiar voice.
Dearest, most merciful God, please strike me down right now.
“What the fuck!” Sam, my brother Sam, walks through the door, stumbling as he catches sight of us.
He looks like he’s just been dropped from a helicopter. His dark hair is wild beneath a ratty beanie, there’s at least six weeks of beard groth across his jawline. He’s still wearing his weathered hiking jacket, the kind that screamsI’ve been living in the wilderness for three weeks, complete with scuffed boots and a backpack slung over one shoulder. “Josh! Molly! What the fuck?—”
And it just got worse…
“GET OUT!” Josh roars, and hysterical giggles begin to bubble up my throat.
Sam doesn’t move. He stands rooted to the spot, his face a picture of confusion and disbelief. His lips part like he’s about to say something, but he doesn’t. Instead, his eyes slowly narrow, flicking between me and Josh, taking in the disheveled sheets, my flushed face, and Josh’s furious expression.
“What in the actualhellis going on here?” Sam finally manages, his voice low and accusing. “I’ve been freezing my ass off in Alaska for three weeks, dodging bears and blizzards, andthisis what I come home to?!”
The giggles bubbling up in my throat break free, uncontrollable and verging on hysteria.
“Are youlaughing?” Sam’s eyes snap to me, his voice rising in sheer disbelief. “This isnotfunny, Molly!”
“It’sa littlefunny,” I manage between gasps, clutching the sheet tighter around my chest.
Josh growls. “You’ve got five seconds to get out before I throw you out myself.”
“Babe, I’m so happy for you!” Bess exclaims, bouncing on the balls of her feet like she’s just discovered her favorite rom-com come to life. Her hands clasp together in front of her chest. “You guys are so cute together. I just always knew you’d?—”
“Five,” Josh barks.
“Bess,” I croak, amused hysteria clawing up my throat. “Love you, but please, for the love of all that’s holy,get the fuck out.”
“Four.”
“Oh!” It seems to finally click for her that Josh and I are very,verynaked. “Ohhh.” She grabs Pete and Sam’s arms, spinning them around. “We’ll just… umm… we’ll be in the dining room.”
“Three,” Josh bites out, his voice dangerously low.
