Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 121916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
“Well, let’s not get too crazy,” Savage mutters. “That was awesome, but better than sex? Nothing is better than sex.”
“Making great music is better than sex.”
“No.”
“And sex is amazing. That’s my whole point.” Kai whacks my leg. “Would you hurry up and fuck somebody already, so you can weigh in on this argument?”
“I’m saving myself for marriage.” It’s my usual joke—the thing I say to deflect attention whenever the subject of my virginity comes up. Of course, they know I’m not actually waiting for marriage or anything else in particular to do the deed for the first time. So far, I just haven’t had the opportunity to take things past kissing and making out. It certainly doesn’t help that I’ve switched schools midway through my high school career, and that I’m now attending a school that’s a long train ride away, making hanging out difficult. But, hey, I’m only sixteen. Almost every guy I know, other than Savage, is still a virgin, too. Hell, Kai didn’t lose his virginity till he got to college and met Courtney.
“Speaking of sex,” Kai says. “Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Ruby’s off-limits, guys. We all agree to that, right?”
“I don’t think we need to make an actual rule about that,” Savage says. “Let’s just play it by ear.”
My heart stops. I haven’t told Savage about my crush on Ruby, but he knows me well, so I’m guessing he’s at least wondering. Did Savage leave the door open about Ruby for my sake . . . or for his?
“You can’t mess with Ruby, Savage,” Kai says sternly.
“Why are you saying that to me, when Kendrick’s sitting there looking like a golden god?”
“Because she’s not his type. But you? You don’t have a type. As long as a girl’s hot, she’s an option.”
Fuck. Shit. Did Kai just imply Ruby is hot?
“That’s fair,” Savage concedes.
“So, respect the off-limits designation, motherfucker.”
“I don’t like being told what to do, though. If I’m feeling it with Ruby, then I’ll do something about it, no matter what you say.”
“Savage, fucking hell.”
“However, you’ll be happy to know I’m presently not feeling it and don’t anticipate that changing anytime soon.” Savage winks at me, all but confirming he’s managed to sniff out my crush far better than my big brother. “I agree she’s hot, though,” he adds, still looking at me. Probably, for a reaction. When I don’t give him one, he adds, “In a cute, pixie-fairy sort of way.”
“So, why aren’t you interested in her then?” Kai asks, looking suspicious.
I hold my breath, praying Savage won’t say something stupid like, Because I can tell Kendrick’s into her.
“She’s too sweet for me,” Savage replies, and I exhale in relief. “You know I like my women a little bit mean.”
We all laugh. It’s true. He does.
“Okay, can we all agree, then?” Kai asks. “Ruby’s off-limits.”
“I didn’t say that,” Savage counters. “I said I’ve personally got zero interest in her. But if one of you wanted to go for it with her, that’d be fine with me. Why make stupid rules when this band is supposed to be about having fun?” He shoots me the tiniest of smirks.
Kai’s not having it. “If anyone messes with Ruby and it goes sideways—which it would, because young love never lasts—then we’d lose two players, not one. The band wouldn’t survive that, guys. Definitely not worth it, no matter how cute she is.”
Savage and I look at each other. Who’s Kai trying to convince with that? Savage or himself?
Kai cracks open one of the cheap beers a neighbor bought for us on the sly. “Also, let’s not overlook the fact that Ruby’s jailbait, on top of everything else. At least, for me. Even if I was tempted, which I’m not, I couldn’t do that. Certainly not with her corn-fed brother in the band, too. Did you see the arms on that dude? Holy fuck. Titus’s guns were bigger than Kendrick’s!”
I’m reeling. All the words Kai’s been saying are the right ones. Reassuring, on paper. But the fact that my brother feels the need to say them at all? This increasingly feels like a “lady doth protest too much” situation, like I’ve been hearing about in English class lately.
“You okay?” Savage asks, batting my leg. “You’re awfully quiet.”
I force a smile. “Just tired. Three hours of banging on drums after a rough football practice will do that to a guy.”
“You killed it tonight. You’re so fucking talented, KC.” He returns to Kai. “You should apologize to him for being such a dick about Ruby. That wasn’t cool, man.”
To my shock, Kai doesn’t flinch or flip Savage off. On the contrary, he jumps right in with the requested apology. “Yeah, sorry, KC. I was a dick. Turns out, you were right. Ruby’s incredible.”
Incredible.
Eye candy.
Pretty.
Cute.
Hot.
The hits just keep on coming.