Page 91 of His Sunshine Baby

“Your phone. It’s vibrating in your bag. You might want to check it.”

I almost jump down to grab the bag at my feet and take out my phone. It’s a text from Nate. I smile but then worry. Is he mad about yesterday? What is this about? Did he believe me? Or not? I’m not sure what I want… I mumble some excuse about going to the bathroom and take my phone with me. Danny gives me a little wink. I take a deep breath in the unisex restroom and open Nate’s text.

Chapter 14

“Stop staring at it.”

I blush. Daniel caught me reading Nate’s text again. I try to put my phone away, but Ben grabs it before I do.

“Elena’s got a boyfriend?” he suddenly asks.

“Give that back!” I yell, annoyed.

I try to climb over the couch to get my smartphone back, but Daniel decides to team up with his brother and holds me back, long enough for Ben to throw it to Bonnie.

“This is so cute. Text from Nate: ‘I’m sorry we fought. Can we talk? I miss you,’” she reads.

“Bonnie!” I protest.

Come on, even she betrays me to gang up on me with her brothers? She smiles and gives it back to me only because everyone’s already heard the content! The Lewis twins sit on either side of me, Bonnie grabbing the popcorn bowl and Ben annoying me to no end with his questions.

“Who is Nate? Your boyfriend? Ex-boyfriend? Crush? Potential boyfriend?”

Daniel is laughing behind his little brother’s back. Can’t he help me out of this, that idiot! When I went along with him for a movie night at their family house, I didn’t think I would fall intoa trap about who’s going to gossip more about my private life! Their father laughs, sitting in his armchair next to us.

“Ben, enough. It’s Elena’s private life, don’t put your nose into it.”

The twins laugh a bit but eventually, the conversation changes to who will have the final word about which movie we will watch. I sigh and scoot over to get next to Daniel, pinching him as revenge until he squeals.

“That wasn’t necessary!”

“You deserve it, you traitor!”

“All right, all right, sorry. But you’ve been glued to your phone, girl. Just text him if you miss him that much already.”

I sigh.

“You know I can’t, Daniel.”

He rolls his eyes.

“Yeah, whatever.”

Half an hour later, Bonnie got the last word, and we are watching some catchy sci-fi movie, something pretty interesting with spies and con men. Suddenly, Joseph jumps up, surprising all of us. Ben even drops his soda on the couch.

“What the heck, Dad?”

But Joseph stays standing, frowning, as if something was bothering him. I understand right away he’s mind-linking. His eyes turn to me, and I immediately get a hunch as to what this is about.

“Is it Diego?” I ask, worried.

“Yeah. He’s fighting Eric and Jace.”

“Shit!”

I grab my jacket and prepare to follow Joe, but Danny suddenly grabs my arm.

“Babe, you really shouldn’t go.”