Page 73 of The Hookup Situation
“No regrets about this morning?”
“Are you kidding me? The sound you make when you come, it’s on my highlight reel.” His eyes darken. “Dream about what I’m going to do to you later.”
I literally kick my feet when I hear him leave. How is this my life?
After he’s gone, I eat the massive breakfast—scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, and toast. I scroll through my phone, looking at all the photos the book club has posted of Nick. Their Insta has turned into a fan club.
Nick
You’re becoming the best part of my day.
Julie
I feel the same.
I fall asleep, smiling, keeping our secret safe, knowing that, in a few hours, we’ll be together again.
Forty-one days of secret touches and crossed-off lists.
Forty days until our Halloween decision.
This man may be the death of me. But, oh, what a way to go.
12
NICK
It’s five p.m., and I’m pacing Riverside like a caged animal. Thankfully, this cabin is big, or I might go stir-crazy. I’ve changed my shirt three times, which is ridiculous because we’ll be outdoors at night. But I want this to be perfect, an unforgettable experience.
My phone buzzes with texts from Patterson that I’ve been ignoring. I can’t deal with his commentary right now, not after the internet decided it was obsessed with my and Julie’s story, which seems to be writing itself. I’m trying to ignore it and not let it get to me, even though it is. I want to protect her from my world, keep her away from the bullshit I have to put up with. Unfortunately, that’s not reality, and it never will be, thanks to who I am.
A knock at the door interrupts my spiral. When I open it, Zane’s standing in jogging pants and a hoodie, holding two beers while wearing a knowing smirk.
“What are you doing here?”
“That’s not the way to greet your bestie,” Zane says, inviting himself inside. “You look like you’re about to have a panic attack.”
“I’m perfectly fine,” I tell him.
“Sure you are.” He hands me the beer. “That’s why you’ve been pacing in front of the window for the last ten minutes.”
I roll my eyes. “How would you know?”
He walks to the oversized windows and points at his four-wheeler. “I’ve been sitting there, watching you.”
“Stalker,” I say.
“Just trying to figure out what’s going on with you,” he says. “With you and Jules.”
I exhale. “Nothing to discuss.”
“Come on.” Zane settles on my couch, kicking his feet up on the coffee table. “I know that look. I wore it when I first got with Autumn. I understand what you’re going through.”
I move into the living room.
He laughs. “You don’t have to admit anything to me. You’re practically my brother. It’s written on your face.”
I take a drink of the beer, noticing it’s a pumpkin one from the local brewery. “It’s really complicated.”
