Page 42 of Perfect Pitch

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Austyn:

So you can be charming.

Mitch:

On occasion.

Austyn:

Let’s leave it on a good note then. Night, Mitch. See you soon.

I stare down at the text chain for a few minutes with some wonder. “Yeah, Austyn. Real soon.”

Then I head off to bed. Sleep around this place is precious and limited and if I’m going to dream about feisty women with braids in their hair, I want every chance possible.

* * *

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Knock, knock?

—@PRyanPOfficial

Who goes there?

—@CuTEandRich3

May I come...

—@PRyanPOfficial

This is stupid, Ryan. I’ve got better things to do.

—@CuTEandRich3

I swing the door open a crack, leaving the safety chain on. When I see who is on the other side, I blurt the first thing that comes to mind. “You knocked.”

Mitch’s lips curve. “I did.”

I close the door in his face, my hands lifting to the safety chain, before asking aloud, “What is he doing here?”

Trevor, I know for a fact, is out with a very specific shopping list for electronics. I assured him I could order everything online, but he waived away my concerns. “As long as they have exactly what you need ready to pick up, it will just take a few hours.”

“Did he know his brother is gone?”

I hear his sotto voice ask, “Do you plan on letting me in?”

Quickly, I unlatch the chain and fling the door open. “My apologies. Come in. Trevor stepped out for a few hours.”

Mitch doesn’t comment as he strides through the foyer into the main living area. I lock the door behind him before following him. I make my way to the fridge and pull out a bottle of water. Lifting it in his direction, he jerks up his chin. Surprise flashes across his face when I pitch it to him. He catches it one handed. “Nice throw.”

“Nice catch.”

“Who taught you to throw like that?”

I frown. “Was it Jesse or E?”

“Jesse? E?”

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