Текст книги "Lighter"

Автор книги: Gia Riley

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Текущая страница: 7 (всего у книги 19 страниц)

“Look what they have!” He holds up Honeybuns and beams with excitement.

“You can’t possibly still be hungry?”

He shakes his head like I’m in trouble for questioning him. “Have you ever tried one of these? All the sugary goodness mixed with the honey—it’s a taste bud explosion. I can already taste it on my tongue.”

“No, I haven’t.” I’m almost embarrassed at how his description is turning me on. Unable to wait a second longer, he rips open the packaging with his teeth. “Kipton, you didn’t pay for it yet!”

“So what?” He mumbles around a mouthful.

“You can’t eat the merchandise and then leave.”

“Does this make you nervous, Sophie. What if I opened another one and took a bite?” He reaches over and pulls another package off the display. Challenging me with his eyes.

“Kipton! Put it back.” Instead, he opens the cellophane, moaning while indulging in another sugary pastry right in the middle of the store. “You’re acting like a child, you know.” I glance over my shoulder expecting to see several annoyed customers. They’re all staring at him as I suspected, only they don’t look annoyed. Instead their eyes are dancing with amusement waiting to see what he’ll do next.

“I like making you squirm,” he admits while he continues to chow down his dessert. My eyes widen and he laughs at my response, not even realizing the sexual innuendo until after he said it. “Sophie, if it’s this easy with food, imagine what I’d do with my mouth.”

I gasp, shocked he said that out loud, let alone in front of other people. None of them seem to care, yet I find myself inching closer to the register, praying the line starts moving. When I reach to take my wallet out of my purse, I realize I left it in the car. Without money to pay, I have to step out of line and do this all over again.

Kipton quickly swallows and coughs, “Hey, where ya going? I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“No, it was fine. I mean it was out there, but amusing. I guess. If you’re into that and all.” Flubbing my words, I talk in circles. Why don’t I go ahead and announce he can have his wicked way with me while I’m at it? “Can I have your keys, I forgot my purse.”

“I’ve got it covered. No worries.”

I sigh, “Kipton.”

He taps the top of my nose with his finger. “Sophie.”

“Thank you.” I lower my gaze to the carpet feeling foolish and in entirely too much pain—constantly.

“Hey.” Kipton nudges me with his elbow to get my attention. I don’t look up so he nudges me again. “Sophie, look at me.”

I respond to his request, but suddenly I’m overcome with emotion. “Kipton.” I pause, unsure of how to put my thoughts into words. Right now forming a sentence seems too intense for my battered brain to handle. I pinch the bridge of my nose concentrating on releasing some tension. I’m smart enough to know I made my headache ten times worse when I threw up at the diner.

“Your head?” he questions.

“Yeah. It’s killing me.” I keep my response vague on purpose. Although I trust him after everything he’s done for me, I’m not sure I’ll ever trust him with my deepest, darkest secrets. Some things are better left unsaid.

He wraps his arm around my shoulder. “It takes time. You’ll be your normal self again soon. I promise.” Nodding my head, the only thing I can do is take his word for it. Because I sure as hell don’t feel normal right now.

“Here, open up. Honeybuns cure everything.” I move to the side, trying to get away from him, but he assumes I’m being playful. “Come on, take a bite, I can’t eat both.”

“You should have thought about that before you opened them!”

He reaches for my side, tickling me. I appreciate his attempt to make me feel better. Just as I laugh, he tries to stuff the bun in my mouth. I dodge his arm at just the right moment, successfully avoiding him. “Kipton, that wasn’t nice. Some icing went up my nose.”

He picks up a travel size pack of tissues, also on display at the check-out area, and hands one to me. “Will you stop opening everything!”

Laughing, he tosses our purchases on the counter. He has the clerk scan both of his pastries along with my medicine and now some tissues. I grab the receipt off the counter to see how much I owe him, but he snatches it out of my hand before I get a good look.

My purse is lying on the passenger seat when we get back to his car. I tuck the drug store bag inside and settle into my seat. Thankfully, Kipton doesn’t bother turning on the radio this time, instead choosing to drive peacefully back to the dorm. While the silence is welcome, it also plays tricks on my tired mind. Only intending to close my eyes for a brief second, the motion of the car lulls me to sleep.

“Sophie.” A warm finger trails back and forth down my cheek, trying to bring me back to the land of the living. Instead I fall into unpleasant memories.

“You want to make me happy right, Sophie?”

I inch closer to his warm embrace. “Of course I do, you’re my whole world.”

“Then what’s stopping you, baby?” He lazily runs his fingertips up and down my arms. While it feels good, I’m scared. Scared that once I say yes, I’ll never be able to take it back. I don’t have much in this world that’s completely mine other than my body. But I won’t lose him either—I can’t. He’s all I have.

“I’m nervous.”

Blaine pulls me even closer; his warm breath tickles my ear. “Let me show you how good it feels.”

The words are on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t quite get them out. He needs me and although I need him too, it doesn’t feel right. But I can’t expect him to wait around forever, especially if he can get it somewhere else. My dad is proof of that theory. If I don’t give Blaine what he wants, I’ll lose him. “Blaine.”

“Yeah, Baby. Tell me you want me too.” His kisses inch down my neck and move across my collarbone. The sensation sets me on fire, yet I can’t let go of my nervousness enough to really enjoy it.

“Blaine, I do want you. You know that.”

“But?” he questions.

“Will you teach me? I don’t know how to make you feel good.”

He smiles and suddenly my decision might not be the wrong one. Finally looking pleased with me, he brushes his knuckles down the side of my face. “Baby, you don’t have to do anything. I’ll handle it.”

“Okay,” I whisper.

“Yeah?”

“Yes.”

One simple word. One giant mistake. A piece of myself I’ll never get back.

I lurch forward, opening my eyes to complete darkness. My semi-reclined seat stays in its relaxed position as I sit up. Although dark outside, I can see enough to know my vision is blurry. I blink rapidly trying to get a clear view of the world around me, but it doesn’t come into focus. Not even Kipton.

“Kipton?” I reach out for the dashboard in front of me, holding on tightly.

“I’m right here, Sophie. You’re okay. You fell asleep on the way back. I didn’t want to wake you.”

Although I’m safe with him next to me, my clouded vision is freaking me out. Tears threaten to fall as my eyes glass up. “My eyes aren’t right. It’s fuzzy.”

Without missing a beat, Kipton turns the key in the ignition. “We’re going to the hospital.”

“No! Turn the car off. I want to go to my room and lay down. It’s probably a migraine and once I take some of the medicine you bought I’ll sleep it off.”

“Are you sure? It doesn’t seem right, Sophie.”

“Positive.” I don’t have any other choice without insurance to pay for the hospital bill. Plus, I can’t have my parents finding out about the party.

Reluctantly, he begins helping me out of the car. “Where’s your shirt?” I might not be able to see perfectly, but his smooth chest can’t be mistaken.

“I had it under your head so you wouldn’t get a stiff neck while you were sleeping.”

I peer up at him through my double vision. “You did that for me?” I’m shocked he would go to such trouble let alone sit in a car for an hour, half naked, while I slept.

He kisses my forehead gently. “Sophie, you underestimate me.” I’m about to apologize but he knocks the wind out of me when he picks me up, cradling me in his arms like a small child.

“Kipton! Put me down! I’ll walk.” Kicking my feet and clawing at his arms, I realize it’s a waste of time. I’m barely moving despite my efforts.

He laughs at my pathetic attempt to find the ground, making my entire body rub against his warm chest. Resigned to do things his way, I wrap both of my arms around his neck and hold on tight. As I crane my neck to make sure we don’t fall down the hill, his stubble tickles my cheek. Instinctively, I nuzzle closer, relishing in the connection far more than I should be. None of the excitement can be good for my already raging headache.

Assuming his efforts were to help me through the dark, I’m surprised when he doesn’t bother to set me back on my feet once inside the dorm. Instead, he keeps moving into the waiting elevator. “Hit the button for me, Tink.”

“Tink?” I question.

“Yeah, you’re all light and tiny. Like Tinkerbell.”

I stare at him and then at the round buttons on the elevator wall. But the numbers all blend together and I’m not sure which to push. It’s from the concussion, but I’m positive a tiny bit has everything to do with being wrapped up in Kipton’s arms. “Hit number three.”

I do as I’m told and then rest my cheek against his shoulder all while loving the safety of his strong arms. Kipton may be able to handle my concussion, but I can’t handle him knowing how fucked up I actually am. Because as much as I don’t want to admit it, I have way more than a crush on Kipton.

CARRYING SOPHIE INSIDE, I CAN’T stop thinking about the way her legs would feel wrapped around my waist as I held her up against the wall. She has a sweet sexiness about her and she’s absolutely clueless about how desirable she is. So much so that I often resort to teasing her like a middle school boy trying to get his first kiss. Hell, I’d probably blow from a first kiss with her at this point. But when we do fuck, and we will, I plan to show her exactly what’s been missing from her sex life. Me.

While I’d been preoccupied imagining every way I’d love to claim her, she was so exhausted she fell asleep in the passenger seat of my car. I might never get to see her beautiful face resting on my pillow or her tiny body cuddled up in my bed again, but I was willing to risk creeper status to soak up every second of her company tonight.

While we aren’t on an official date, I still tried to make the night memorable for her considering it revolved around shitty circumstances. But mark my words, when Sophie does let me take her on a real date, she’ll be the first to experience the Kipton romance package. Hopefully, she’ll see I’m not interested in a casual hook-up. But until then, I focus on the beautiful girl snuggled up in my arms and wait. I’ll wait for her to want us as much as I do because for the first time I’m not in a hurry.

“You can put me down now. I’m okay.”

“Your eyes?”

“It’s not as bad as when I first woke up.”

Squirming in my arms, her big blue eyes look anxious again, as if she’s slowly reconstructing her protective barriers. I’d love to know what goes on in that gorgeous head of hers. I agree to put her down, but not on her feet. Instead, I sit her on top of the old metal heating unit outside her room. It doesn’t look super sturdy, but she’s so tiny it doesn’t matter.

Her arms fall from my neck and rest on her thighs. Missing her touch immediately, I cage her in with my body, my palms on either side of her legs. Inching closer to her lips, she leans back, her head softly bumping against the wall. I reach for the back of her head to rub the spot that came in contact with the painted concrete bricks. “Watch your head, beautiful.”

“Sorry.”

I can tell she’s nervous when her voice cracks as she apologizes for bumping her own head. The way she’s fixated on my naked chest, blinking lazily while licking her lips, drives me crazy. I place my finger under her chin, lifting her head slowly so she has no choice but to look directly into my eyes. We stare at each other for a few seconds before she musters the courage to speak. “Are you going to kiss me?” she whispers.

“That depends.” I need to kiss her, but I also don’t want her running away from me afterward. Not to mention my sister told me I’m not allowed to touch her. Of course that only makes me want to touch her more, not to spite her, but because it tells me Sophie’s worth the chase.

“On what?” Her eyes are darting from my eyes down to my lips and back up again.

Encouraging her, I wet my own lips with my tongue. She surprises me when she lifts her finger to trace my bottom lip with her fingernail. Holy shit. The move is seductive, and her simple touch has me craving her even more.

As quickly as she touches me, her hands clasp together in her lap like she got caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Of course that couldn’t be farther from the truth. She can do whatever she wants as far as I’m concerned.

“You’re allowed to touch me, beautiful.” She needs the reassurance as much as I need her to touch me again.

She tilts her head to the side. “Am I?”

“Absolutely.”

“Why?” she questions.

Before I can respond, there’s a loud thud against her room door followed by something heavy crashing against the floor. “What the fuck was that, Sophie?”

“I have no idea!”

She pulls me closer to her for protection as my free hand reaches for the door knob. I twist it, ready to rush in, but it’s locked. “Hand me your key.” She wiggles to the edge of the heater and I quickly grab her around her waist placing her feet back on the floor, forgetting how short she is.

“Thank you.” She blushes self-consciously and digs the key out of her pocket.

Taking it from her, I shove it into the lock. When I push the door open far enough to take a look around, I see red, orange, and every other color of the rainbow. Mostly I see someone about to get his ass kicked. I shield my eyes the best I can as two naked bodies continue grinding back and forth on each other oblivious to their audience. “Get the fuck off my sister!”

Sophie rushes in the room. She’s caught off guard by the commotion in Cara’s bed and bumps into my side. She takes one look at the nakedness and scurries back into the hallway. I can’t say I blame her. I shield my own eyes and turn around to face the closet. On the floor in front of me, the pole lamp is laying on its side and the light bulb’s shattered into pieces from the impact of the fall. A bunch of clothes are piled up on the floor haphazardly and the memo board that usually hangs inside the door is also on the floor with a few thumb tacks strewn around the carpet.

“Kipton! Get the hell out of here. Don’t you know how to knock?” Cara shouts.

“Don’t you even start with me. I was bringing Sophie back from her appointment, not stopping by to chit chat. This room is destroyed and I swear to God, Drew, if you don’t get your ass away from my sister I will throw you out of here butt ass naked. Hurry it up!”

“Kippy, you can’t tell us what to do. You’re the one who needs to get out of here. NOW!”

“Hell no. Your roommate has a concussion and wants to go to bed. She slept in the damn car for an hour. She needs her bed and some peace and quiet as much as you need to put your damn clothes back on.”

“Fine! Then we’ll go to his room.”

“Thank you. Wait! No you won’t. He will go back to his room and you’ll keep your own ass here.”

“Kipton,” Sophie whispers from the doorway.

I’m so worked up having walked in on my sister having sex that I forget who’s calling my name. Turning my head to the doorway, I yell, “What!” She flinches and immediately I regret my harsh tone. I close the distance between us, but she takes a step back, unsure of my actions. I don’t like it because never in a million years would I ever hurt her. “Come here.” I pull her into a hug and she wraps her arms around my waist cautiously. After a few seconds, the tension melts away from her touch. “I’m sorry, beautiful.”

“It’s okay. I know you’re upset.”

“Oh, so you’re allowed to touch Sophie, but I can’t come within a mile of Drew. How typical man whore of you.”

I turn my head to a fully clothed Cara and Drew watching us. “You better watch what you say,” I warn.

“Why? It’s the same thing!”

“I gave Sophie a hug, I didn’t have her naked in my damn bed.”

“But you want to!”

Sophie unwraps herself from my body and leans against the wall. She looks embarrassed and I’d do just about anything for my sister to shut her trap. “Cara, please don’t do this right now.” I don’t want her to fuck up any progress I’ve made with Sophie tonight. We were having a good time despite the circumstances.

“Well at least you finally admit you want her. Maybe there is hope for you yet, brother.”

I look at her like she has three heads. “But you told me not to–“

“I know what I said, but when have you ever listened to me? Now will you please get out of here so I can say goodbye to Drew? You’ve clearly ruined my chances of experiencing an orgasm tonight.”

“Christ, Cara.” Groaning, I shut the door and focus on my date. I’m not done with her yet even though our moment was also ruined by their sexcapades.

“Are you okay?” Sophie asks. Her voice is timid and I realize she’s never seen me lose my shit before.

“I’m fine. I’m sorry if I scared you.”

“You didn’t.”

“I raised my voice like an asshole. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, it’s over. It’s not every day you walk in on your sister having sex. I don’t imagine that’s too much fun.” She’s trying not to laugh at the absurdity of the situation.

“It’s not and it better never happen again, but thank you.” I need to touch her, so I wrap my arms around her snugly this time. She locks her arms around my back, accepting my apology completely. I savor our connection for as long as possible before I have to leave. I hate having to say goodbye while she’s not feeling well. “Do you want to come back to my place? You don’t have to stay here in this brothel by yourself.”

Laughing, she smiles the first genuine smile I’ve seen since dinner and I melt like ice cream on the fourth of July. Take my man card, universe, it’s all yours.

“I’ll be okay. Thanks for everything today. I appreciate you rearranging your schedule for me.”

“Promise me one thing.” I reach for her hand and interlock our pinkies.

“Pinkie swear?” She giggles. “I haven’t done that since elementary school.”

“Yup. It’s that important.”

She tilts her head to the side, contemplating what I’m asking of her before I even get the words out. “You have to tell me what it is first?”

“Next time, come to me when you need something.” Before I finish my sentence, she’s already looking away from me. I lift her chin back up so she’s absorbing every word I’m saying. “Anything, Sophie. Okay? Please call me, text me, email, whatever form of technology you prefer. Just don’t shut me out, okay?” She hears me, but doesn’t respond. “Okay,” I question again. I need some kind of confirmation.

Smiling she nods her head and says, “Pinkie swear.” God she’s adorable.

I hug her one more time before placing a kiss on the top of her head. I’d much rather have her lips, but this will have to do for now. I don’t want our first kiss to be tainted by the memory of Drew’s naked ass every time we look back on it. “Sweet dreams, beautiful.” I take a few backwards steps away from her. She stands rooted in the same spot with her hand covering her heart.

“Bye, Kipton.”

Turning around, I’m pleased with the progress we made tonight. While I understand her independence is important to her, she needs to realize she can have everything she wants and still be mine. That I’m sure of.

I’m not even halfway to the elevator when I hear Drew yelp like a teenage girl. Laughing to myself, I know the fucker stepped on a tack. Justice served!

IN A DAZE FROM OUR goodbye hug, I smooth out the hair on top of my head where Kipton’s lips came in contact with the strands. Tonight was the first time his actions gave off the impression of more. He’s been flirtatious, but he’s never given me physical proof that he wants me. Tonight was more than a friendly gesture yet not enough to cross any lines—unlike Cara and Drew.

Peeking inside our room, I give Cara another minute to say her own goodbyes considering Drew’s tongue appears to be shoved down her throat. When I hear her moan Drew’s name and fall onto the bed, pulling him along with her, I quietly close the door to give them some privacy. Thanks to my car nap and medicine, I’m no longer entirely exhausted and my vision isn’t screwed up anymore. It was scary enough to have me praying it doesn’t happen again though.

I’m about to sit on top of the heater and wait, but another moan and slap come from the other side of the door. Not wanting to hear the play by play, I take a walk while they finish getting each other out of their system. Something tells me Cara isn’t giving up tonight until she’s been thoroughly satisfied.

Passing by several dorm rooms, some girls are watching movies, a handful of guys are playing video games and a few others study quietly amongst the chaos. I could stop and chat, but I settle for some fresh air. It’s a nice night with a gentle breeze to dull the humid air. I take full advantage and sit on the ledge of the marble fountain that separates our dorm from the next. I dip my finger into the cool water, hoping there’s nothing grotesque or alive below.

I’ve always been a daydreamer, creating visions of the life I always wished I lived. Now is no exception because all on its own, my mind travels back to a half-naked Kipton carrying me in his strong arms. He took care of me without even being asked. A guy’s never done that for me before unless they knew some form of repayment would be headed their way. My ex always expected sexual gratification as his form of payment. But I wouldn’t consider anything he ever did even comparable to what Kipton did for me tonight. With Blaine, our interactions always felt forced, like if I messed something up I’d pay for it. So, while I struggle to believe Kipton wants me for me and not simply for the pleasure I can give him, I still need a little convincing as far as that goes.

I jump when my phone starts ringing in my hand. Juggling it back and forth, I’m thankful when it doesn’t fall into the fountain, instead landing safely on my lap. “Hello?”

“Are you okay, Sophie? Where are you?”

“Kipton? Yeah, I’m fine. Why?” Hearing his voice has me smiling like a loon. I didn’t expect to hear from him for a couple days. I always thought guys have some kind of three day call back rule to make girls want them yet make it known they’re the ones calling the shots.

“Cara said she couldn’t find you and you weren’t answering her text messages. Where are you?”

He’s worried about me. “I’m sitting at the fountain. They weren’t done yet after you left, so I took a walk.”

“Motherfucker. I’m going to kill the both of them. I’ll come and get you. You should be in bed resting, not sitting in the dark all by yourself.”

“I’m fine. I didn’t see her messages, but I’m already on my way back inside.” He sighs and I’m pretty sure he’s in his bed from the muffled rustling I’m hearing in the background. I find myself wishing I was back in his bed next to him.

“Sophie.”

“Yeah?”

The line is silent for a few long seconds before he exhales like he’s battling with what he wants to say to me. “Nothing. You’re sure you’re okay? I’m sorry my sister is such a pain in the ass.”

Part of me is disappointed when he doesn’t elaborate. It’s been nice to feel wanted by a guy—a guy I don’t fear. “You don’t need to apologize for her. I happen to know she’s awesome. Her brother is too.” I’m so lame when I flirt.

“So now I’m awesome and sexy.” I love flirty Kipton. I mean like. Sheesh. Turn down the hormones.

I giggle and pretend to be annoyed. “Yes, we’ve already established you’re nice to look at.”

“The feelings mutual, you know,” he murmurs.

He catches me off guard. “It is?”

“Yeah, Sophie. It is.”

I fumble for something to say and when I come up with nothing but air, I decide to end the conversation. I wish I was better at this. “I should go. Thanks for checking on me.”

“You don’t have to thank me.”

Yes, I do. For so many reasons. “Night, Kipton.”

“Night, beautiful.”

Hanging up, I exit the elevator and round the corner smiling from ear to ear. The door is wide open when I reach our room, but there’s no sign of Drew. Cara’s sitting on the edge of her bed messing with her phone, her leg bouncing nervously.

“Sophie! There you are.”

“Here I am.” I change into some pajamas, my mind a million miles away.

“You’re mad at me aren’t you?” Cara asks.

I turn sideways with a surprised expression on my face. “What? No. Not at all.”

“I’m sorry I have no will power when it comes to Drew. It was rude of me not to kick him out when you got back.”

Setting down my brush, I close the door to my closet. “Trust me, Cara. It’s okay. He looked like an amazing kisser.” I laugh at the visual they gave me of him practically sucking her entire face off.

“Ohmigod, Sophie. That’s not the only thing he’s amazing at. I’ve never gotten off so many times in one session.”

I pull back the blankets on my bed, sliding under the cool sheet. Having no idea what she means, I’m almost afraid to ask. But I do anyway when curiosity gets the best of me. “Session?”

“You know, from start to finish. Foreplay until the deed is done.”

I prop my head up on my elbow so I can look at her while we’re having this enlightening conversation. “I’ll have to take your word for it.”

“What do you mean?” She asks as she fixes the disheveled comforter on her own bed before climbing underneath.

“I’ve never well, you know.”

“WHAT!” Cara shrieks.

“What?” Maybe I should have kept that tidbit to myself. There is such a thing as oversharing even if Cara has no boundaries. I’ve never gotten off during sex though. My one and only relationship wasn’t the healthiest. It was a lot of trying to please him and not myself. A lot of give with barely any take.

“Sophie please tell me you at least toot your own horn then. Maybe a B.O.B?”

“Who is Bob?”

“Holy shit. Bob is a battery operated boyfriend. My God, you’re practically Sandy from Grease, blond hair and all.”

“Too pure to be Pink,” I fire back at her. Grease happens to be one of my all-time favorite movies so I get what she’s saying completely.

Cara sits up on her bed and scoots to the end as close to mine as she can get. “Tell me more, no pun intended,” she giggles.

“I’ve never met Bob or any of his other friends. Sex with my ex was pretty standard. Nothing kinky or off the wall going on. As long as he got off, that’s all he cared about and it definitely lacked the passion I saw between you and Drew tonight.” That should hold her over for now.

Cara flops on the bed dramatically and squeals. “This is going to be so much fun.”

“What is?” I’m afraid to find out what she’s busy cooking up in that adventurous mind of hers.

She claps her hands together and her eyes light up with excitement. “Turning you into a seductress.”

“What? I don’t even have a man, Cara.”

“Yes, you do. You just aren’t admitting it yet. We can go buy you some sexy lingerie tomorrow and turn you into an irresistible piece of ass.”

“No way, Cara. I’m doing fine on my own.”

“The hell you are! But whatever. If you don’t want my help then I have another suggestion.”

This ought to be good. “I’m not sure I want to hear any more ideas out of you.”

“But you want my brother? Don’t you?”

I lie back down and turn to face the wall. I’m all done with this confession fest.

She must sense my fear because the next time she opens her mouth, her voice is tender. I can tell she’s dropped the ploy to sex me up. “It’s okay if you do, Sophie. He’s a good guy when he wants to be. I was against the idea of you and him dating at first, but only because I was scared he would steal you away from me all the time. Considering you both have a thing for each other, I promise I won’t interfere.”

He really has a thing for me? “Now you’re talking nonsense. He doesn’t want me, Cara. While part of me thinks he may have been hinting at more tonight, I think we’re only ever going to be friends. He could have kissed me tonight, but he didn’t. And we were really close.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. Let me fill you in on a little secret, Sophie. My brother doesn’t text girls, check-up on them, take them places, or any of that relationship type stuff.”

“Then why is he doing it for me?”

“Because he finally found a girl worthy enough. Something tells me he isn’t going to give up until he has you all to himself. I happen to agree with him.”

I try to contain my smile, but fail miserably. “You saw us hug; it’s not a big deal, Cara.” The idea of him wanting me blows my mind. I have a hard time looking at him without blushing let alone actually kissing him. If he touched me touched me, like beyond a kiss, I’m not sure I’d even survive.

“Earth to Sophie,” Cara says, while chucking a small throw pillow at my bed.

I’m not paying attention and it hits me in the stomach. “Ugh, what was that for?”

“Oh shit! Did I hit you in the head? I forgot!”

“No, I’m fine. What were you saying before you pelted me?” I toss her pillow back onto her bed where it belongs.

“You like him don’t you?”

“Goodnight, Cara.” I roll over, officially ending our pillow talk.

Laughing, Cara claps her hands. “I freakin knew you two had a thing. Goodnight, Kipton lover.”

I snort at her lame comeback, smiling from ear to ear because she’s absolutely right. This girl has a big ole crush on her brother. Sleep. I need some sleep.

“HIS NO GOOD, SORRY ASS is leaving. I’ve had enough of this shit. This is the last time that man plays me for a fool. On our property for christ’s sake. In front of all the neighbors. He can have his skanks. I’m done.”

I tiptoe into my parents room, where I find my mom pulling every item of clothing my dad owns from his closet. An open suitcase rests on top of the bed. Once everything’s off the hangers, she piles it into her arms and stuffs it inside. Pieces are hanging over the sides and it’ll never close. Determined, she grabs his cologne from the dresser and tosses that in too. “Mom, what’s wrong?”

“Go back to bed, Sophie. This doesn’t concern you.”