Page 2 of Captivating

Mom

Brady Ryan... if you like lying in this bed next to me and not on the couch downstairs, you will hush.

Dillan

OMG, Mom. Chill. You’ll see them tomorrow.

Mom

Why is everyone ganging up on me?

Asher

I’m on the side of it’s late, and I’m trying to sleep. If you guys come tonight, try not to wake me up.

Dillan

Sleep? It’s not that late. Has your girlfriend even scurried down Mom’s trellis yet?

Asher

Don’t be a brat, Dillan. She went out the front door. And at least I’m not twenty-two and still living at home.

Dillan

Whatever you say, oopsie baby.

Mom

Dillan... be nice to your brother. His girlfriend doesn’t climb in and out of his window.

Dad

. . .

“Jesus Christ. One of us needs to put them out of their misery before Asher tells Mom he lost his virginity last year and she strokes out before we get home.” Noah tries to take my phone from my hand, but I elbow his ribs and move away.

“Get your own phone.” I never let anyone, not even Noah, text from my phone. The fucker has gotten me in trouble more than once.

Lilah

We’re still fifteen minutes from town. But the car service is dropping us at our own places tonight. I really just want my own bed.

Mom

How can you want your own bed when you’ve never even slept in it, young lady?

Dad

Sweetheart... let her go to her new house. She’s excited. We’ll see them both tomorrow. Right, kids?

I look over at Noah and laugh. “Remind me why we let her have Life360, please...”

Noah shrugs and smiles. “It’s not like it’s a new thing. Mom’s always been a little nuts.”

Noah

How about we come for breakfast tomorrow?

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