Page 83 of Always Yours

“Yeah. Maybe then I’ll know what to do.”

“You already know. You’re just in your head.”

“Probably.”

“Eat first.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Thank you, my little booboo bear,” he coos, and I roll my eyes as I reach for my bag. I make sure my arena key is in the pocket before putting it on my back. I look for my phone just as it sounds. Flynn holds it up, and I grab it from him to see Austen’s name.

“It’s the lady of the hour,” he drawls, but I can’t even respond. My heart skips a beat, and the air rushes out of me. I hadn’t expected her to text me first. She blows me away daily.

“She wants to talk.”

“As do you, so this works out great.”

I make a face. “What should I say?”

“Uh, yes? Aren’t you the older one? Doesn’t that make you smarter with women?” Flynn teases, and I glare.

I type back quickly. “I told her I was heading to the rink and I would swing by.”

At the same time, Flynn and Austen both ask, “Swing by?” With a displeased look, Flynn adds, “That sounds like you don’t intend to go back home, and you can’t live here.”

“Rude. Shit, she said the same.”

“Yeah, because she’s not dumb.”

“Ugh, this is complicated.”

“No, you’re making it complicated.”

“I don’t like you.”

“Aw, but I love you.”

I ignore his words. “I told her I’d swing by. I think she’s pissed.”

“As she should be. You’re being really annoying.”

I gawk at him. “You’re supposed to be on my side!”

Flynn looks up at me, his headset barely on his head, with a look that tells me he’s not. “Nope. Team Austen for this. Stop being a little bitch and go talk to her.”

I head for the door, eyeing him. “I don’t think you’re my favorite cousin.”

He shrugs. “I’m the only one who likes you—”

“Everyone likes me!”

“Fine. I’m the only one who deals with you on a regular basis. So yeah, you have no other choice.”

I think that over. “Whatever. I’ll call you.”

“I look forward to it,” he calls after me, and I laugh as I head to the back door. I may not have a clue what will happen with Austen, but Flynn will always be my best friend.

Not that I’m telling him that.

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