Page 8 of Cross My Heart

“Where the hell is Noah when I need him?” I groan. “Someone has to take your title. Anyone.”

“No one is going to beat me, Ty Ty.”

“Gross.” My nose wrinkles. “Don’t ever call me that again.”

But Scarlett just chuckles, completely unbothered. She’ll probably use the horrible nickname again in five minutes.

She tosses the controller to the side and gets up, her extremelyshortshorts riding up her butt until she’s flashing me her cheeks. I look away, face heating. She snorts as she adjusts herself and then goes down the stairs without me.

Since it’s just us, her parents require her to leave the door open at all times. As if I could ever try anything with her. She’d either bury me alive or laugh in my face. Or Noah would kill us both.Thatis probably more accurate.

I twiddle my thumbs as I wait for her to come back, and I hear footsteps soon enough. My eyes trail her body from head to toe as she comes back inside, and her brows rise all the way to her hairline. But she doesn’t say anything for once, and for that I’m grateful.

Her curly red hair is frizzy because of the humidity, her cheeks flushed, her hazel eyes bright. Her lips are naturally a dark shade of pink, and if you didn’t know better, you’d think she’s wearing makeup. And then there’s her body. Small in just the right places, and yet she also has curves now. She’s looking much more like a woman than she did last year. And you can tell she’s an athlete by her strong legs and lean waist.

I shake my head.

“Come sit up here,” Scarlett murmurs, and I look back at her from the foot of the bed.

She has a whole tub of cookie dough ice cream in her hands and one spoon. It’s our favorite. Noah doesn’t really like cookie dough, and he always feels left out when we have ice cream because she refuses to get his favorite. Which is coconut. Who the fuck likes coconut ice cream? Sometimes he is really weird.

I get up from the floor and go sit next to her on the bed, our backs against the headboard. Both our legs are crossed at the ankles, and I look straight forward as she dips the spoon into the ice cream.

“Here’s a good bite,” she whispers, nudging my lips with the spoon. I open up and look at her face, and she’s smiling so widely it’s almost blinding. I chew the huge bite of cookie dough and grin. “Told ya.”

“I don’t think Noah is coming,” I tell her, sighing. She takes a bite of the ice cream, and then offers me the next one. “He should’ve been here by now.”

“He’ll be here.” She rolls her eyes. “He’s just slow with chores.”

“He’s a goddamn turtle,” I chuckle. There’s a moment of silence as she puts the spoon up to my lips again, and I practically slurp the ice cream. She giggles. “So, what was it like growing up with each other? I’ve never had a life-long friend before.”

“Amazing.” We make eye contact, her eyes wide. “We’ve been friends since we were in diapers.”

“So I guess best friends?”

Scarlett rolls her eyes, and just as I think she’s about to sayduh, she replies. “My only friend. My ride or die. The one I always turn to.”

“And now?” I ask her slowly.

“Now?”

“Is he your only best friend?” I ask, my voice low. I’m suddenly feeling vulnerable, and it makes me want Noah here even more. She always makes fun of me?—

“Nah.” She grins. “You’re my best friend too.”

I grin.

“About damn time you admit it,” I huff, and she shoves my shoulder.

“You don’t need to get a big head about it,” Scarlett mutters, and then there are footsteps right outside her door. Noah comes into view. “There’s my favorite best friend!” she yells, and he looks between us, confusion clear on his features.

“So now you have a favorite?” I narrow my eyes on her face, and she grins.

“Duh.”

“Not fair.” I pout, and Noah laughs, coming to sit with us.

“You look cute when you pout,” Noah says, then sits at the foot of the bed, facing us. My cheeks heat until it feels like my entire face is burning. “I see I’ve been left out as always.”

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