Page 76 of Switched

“It’s not a sex thing,” Scout mutters. “Why is it always a sex thing with you?”

“It’s not always a sex thing,” I protest, before I blow out a breath and lean back in my seat. “If it seems like that, it’s only because I haven’t had sex in three years.”

That sounds crazy when I say it out loud.

Scout gives me a wry smile. “You’re not exactly alone in that boat.”

“True.” I laugh. “We’ve all been living like priests for at least three years.”

For Gus, it might have been longer, but that’s been his choice.

It’s not like we never invited him to come out with us on the weekends.

He’s had plenty of chances to bring pretty women home.

It’s just not something he’s ever done.

Scout sighs. “It feels like something’s wrong.”

“Like what?” I ask, wondering what it could be.

“I don’t know,” he admits. “It’s not Scarlett, exactly. There’s something different about her, and it seems like a good thing, but I can’t help wondering why.”

“Well, she got dumped,” I remind him.

“I know,” he murmurs. “I just … I can’t explain it. I don’t know if I can handle being around her for who knows how long while she makes up her mind about us.”

“Her mind is already made,” I scoff. “She’s just trying to fight it.”

“Doesn’t that make you nervous? What if she decides we’re not worth taking a chance on?”

So, that’s it. He’s worried this isn’t going to work out.

“She’s fated to be ours, Scout. That means, no matter what, she’ll figure out the same thing we have. We just need to be patient for a little bit longer.”

He snorts. “You? Be patient?”

I grin. “Well, I can try.”

I don’t think I’ll need to try too hard.

We were vibing before.

She’s definitely interested.

All I need to do is keep being me.

Chapter forty-two

Bishop

Every tick of the clock feels like it’s coming from inside my head as I waste time putting away the breakfast dishes that I washed before I could stop myself. The sound of every minute that passes is starting to make my jaw clench. I close the cupboards and turn to where the clock hangs on the wall opposite where I’m standing in front of the sink.

I’m ready to stalk over there and wrench it off the wall.

I want to shake the damn batteries out of it until that sound stops.

It won’t make the waiting around any less pleasant, but it might take the edge off the tension that’s mounting inside my body.

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