Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 135539 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 678(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 452(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135539 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 678(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 452(@300wpm)
“It’s totally void of personality,” he says offhandedly and sets my pack on the couch.
“You could say that about a lot of houses.” A glass wall that must be at least fifteen feet wide exposes a picture-perfect view of the valley below and skyscrapers of downtown in the distance. I turn back to August. “What would you add to make it a home?”
Frowning in thought, he looks around and rubs the back of his neck. “I don’t think there’s anything to be done that could make this homey. It’s just too big.”
“Why did you buy this place if you didn’t like it?”
He keeps his gaze firmly on the room, but a slight flush crosses the bridge of his nose. “Let’s just say I was still riding the high of being drafted, and mistakes were made.”
“Okay.”
My simple acceptance has his mouth pursing. He gives himself a shake as if stirring out of deeper thoughts and finally meets my eyes. A gleam of self-deprecation enters his. “Truth, Pen? I think what I really wanted was to get something the polar opposite of my parents’ place. That doing so would somehow cement my adult status, and I’d make a definitive statement.”
“Well, you definitely accomplished that.”
“Problem is, once I actually moved in, I realized I vastly prefer the house I grew up in.” A quick glance around has him sighing. “Whenever I’m here, all I feel is weirdly exposed and ridiculously alone.”
My heart squeezes at the thought. It must show, because he pushes a smile and cants his head. “I mainly hang in the outdoor living area. Let’s go out there.”
Under the shady overhang of the main house, there are two seating areas: one facing a giant TV, and the other a black stone fireplace. A bar stands between them.
But the real gem of the outside is the infinity pool that runs the entire length of the house. It shines like a mirror, reflecting the California sun and the blue sky above.
“I do laps here,” August says with a fond look at the pool. “It’s great for endurance training and gives my joints a break.”
“I try to get some laps in at Pops and Pegs’s when I can.”
His smile is soft when he turns my way. “Eventually, you’ll have to call it your house, Pen. Because it is now.”
“You’re right, I know. Eventually, I’ll get there.”
“Have a seat at the bar. I’ll makes smoothies while you tell me about your weird morning.”
I slide onto a barstool as August rummages in the outdoor fridge for ingredients.
“Sarah kicked me out.”
He pauses in the act of pulling out the blender from under the bar. “The fuck?”
I recap my conversation with Sarah. And August makes us blueberry yogurt smoothies that are thick and delicious. He serves them in tall glasses with aluminum straws.
“You’re an artist with this,” I tell him after taking a long taste. “What makes it so thick?”
“Chia seeds. They have a variety of health benefits.” He gives me a knowing look. “Smashburgers and diners aside, I actually follow a pretty strict diet our team nutritionist set up. Now, back to your roommate situation. This Daniel and Priti lived there before?”
He leads me to a long U-shaped lounge couch, and I take a seat on one of the chaise sections. “Daniel and Priti were a couple and they lived there with Sarah. But then Sarah slept with Daniel—”
“Awkward.”
“Not yet.” I take another pull from my smoothie then set the glass aside. “Priti didn’t mind. The trouble started when she slept with Sarah too.”
“And that Daniel minded?”
“He minded that he wasn’t included. That pissed him off. Then Priti called him a hypocrite.”
“Where’s the lie?”
I grin. “Exactly. They fought a lot and eventually, Priti moved out. Daniel stayed. In came Becca.”
August’s eyes are alight with interest. “Don’t tell me. Becca and Sarah?”
“Yes, but then Daniel wanted in on the action. He figured Becca would be into it. But she only liked women. She left, and apparently said the atmosphere was unhealthily predatory.” I stop and raise a shoulder. “I learned this from Daniel, so the source is spotty at best.”
August stretches his long legs before him at an angle to avoid the coffee table. “I’ve got to say, this makes my college years look boring. And I was a star athlete.”
“No instances of ‘ring around the frat house’ sex for you?”
“My roommates were football players, so no. Even if I’d been so inclined, sleeping around isn’t my thing.”
“No?” I strive for nonchalance. I don’t really want to picture him with flocks of bed partners. But his comment has me wondering.
The corners of his mouth curl up slightly as though he sees right through me. “No. Mom taught us that both the act and our partners deserve respect. I never felt comfortable going all out like that. Besides, when it’s offered from every corner at every turn, it kind of takes the thrill out of things.”