Page 3 of Flaunt
“And Pippa,” she says.
“Yeah, and the Pipster,” I say, remembering how Jess snagged his dream woman. “I’m thinking about just getting a dog.”
Maddox’s eyes widen. “Don’t do that.”
“Why?”
“Banks. You don’t even know how to feed yourself. It would be reckless for you to take responsibility for another living thing that can’t fend for itself.”
“Ye of little faith.”
Maddox's phone buzzes. His pointed look lingers before it switches to his phone. “I gotta go. I’ll be home in a couple of hours. Love you, Ash.”
Ashley kisses his cheek. “See you then.”
“Bye,” I say as my brother walks by.
“Later.”
I lean against the counter. Ashley bebops around the kitchen, taking out various vegetables, a package of meat, and a few pots and pans.
“How was your day?” I ask, not really feeling like going home.
She smiles at me over her shoulder. “It was really good. I spent the day with your mom, actually. If I tell you something, you won’t say a word to anyone, right?”
I nod.
“Say it. Promise me,” she says.
“I promise you I won’t repeat whatever top secret information you’re about to tell me, super sleuth.”
She rolls her eyes. “We went looking at couches.”
I smack my forehead, making her laugh.
“Did you talk her out of whatever she was looking at?” I ask.
“Yes. You know I did.”
“This couch situation is going to be the end of me. I feel like we’re all sneaking around like double agents.” I raise a brow. “I wasn’t built for this level of stress, Ash. I just wasn’t.”
She laughs.
My phone vibrates, and I look down.
Maddox: NO TO THE SPIDERS.
Me: I noted your feelings on the situation.
Maddox: I mean it, Banks. And, for the love of all that’s holy, don’t do anything to Foxx. I can’t save you from him. I’ll have to live with that guilt for the rest of my life. You don’t want to do that to me, do you?
Me: You shouldn’t text and drive. It’s unsafe.
Maddox: It’s called voice-to-text.
Me: I refuse to participate in your attempts at self-harm. Come see me later.
Ha.
