Page 35 of The Proposal Pact
Where is Sophie watching it?The thought enters my mind unbidden. I didn’t have the chance to fix her TV today because the town was going bonkers like usual. At least I was able to swing by with a new door to replace the broken one.
The little menace wasn’t home when I stopped by, probably creating havoc elsewhere, so I just left the keys with Fifi to pass along when she shows up.
“Hey, son.” Dad smiles when he sees me, pulling me into a hug. “How’s it going?” Dean Lovinski is a simple man. Simple, kind, brilliant, and with angelic patience for Mom’s brand of crazy. I don’tthink I’ve ever heard him raise his voice or say anything other than “Yes, dear” to her.
“Like it always does in Loverly Cave.”
“Ah.” He chuckles. “They’re keeping you busy.”
“They sure are. Hey, since when are you a fan?” I point to the TV.
“Oh, I just turned it on. Never watched it before.”
Uh-huh…okay…
Is it the same team Sophie was watching last night? I squint at the TV, trying I get a better look at the fast-moving figures on ice.
Damn, they are actually really fast! Is that why she likes it? And why the hell do I still care? Yet I find myself being pulled into the intense game and barely register the new voices coming from the front door. Why the fuck am I watching this shit?
Frowning I walk out of there and a few minutes later Mom, Dad, Julie, me, and that fucker, Griffin are taking our spots at the table.
“Hey, sister stealer,” I greet my best friend, taking in that face-splitting smile he has on when looking at Julie. Secretly, I love them together, but I’ll carry it into the grave.
“Hey, grumpy pants.”
“Wow, so original.” I roll my eyes at him.
“Heard you had fun without me today.”
“Oh yeah. So much fun,” I tell him with zero enthusiasm. "Mind telling me why you didn't offer me your old place? I thought it wasn't available."
"Oh, it was. Just not for you."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I narrow my eyes at him.
"Dude, it's common knowledge that you're not to be rented out to."
"What?" I shout.
"Hey," Griffin raises his arms in surrender. "Don't kill the messenger." He gives me a look like I'm an idiot for not figuring it out sooner, and now I actually feel like one.
"Let me guess…Love Hive?"
"Who else?"
"Fuck my life." I slap a hand over my face, running it down.
“I’m so happy Sophie moved here,” Julie pips up out of nowhere, interrupting us and Griff gives me the look to shut up now. “She’s so sweet and fun!”
“Sophie? That’s Gracie’s friend?” Mom asks, as if she has no clue who Sophie is, and I pause pouring lemonade into my glass.
What the fuck is going on? There’s no way Mom doesn’t know who Sophie is, despite my hopeless hopes.
“Yep,” my sister answers brightly. “She’s also quite brilliant! She’s created a whole new online ordering system for me in half a day.”
Huh…just how many sides are there to this girl? Not that I care?
“You don’t say? That’s wonderful, sweetie,” Mom says with such genuine surprise that I think I must really be dreaming.
