Sunny
Good, neither do I.
I’d eat you alive, anyways.
I’m no match against the laughter that rumbles in my chest. Cam stirs beside me, his head rolling to the other side as I smile down at my phone in the dark cabin.
She’s fiery, smart mouthed, and might actually have full immunity to my charm.
I think I’m fucking hooked.
CHAPTER NINE
JADE
“Julian Hart was a thorn in my side. A thorn I wanted to pluck out and slip into my pocket for later.” - Clara Foss, Painted Inferno
The muscles in my hand ache from the last few hours of figuring out the ins and outs of this book. I set my pen down on the counter beside my notebook. This is the first time I’ve come up for air or have taken a break from it.
I slowly rise from my seat at the island in my kitchen, and scan over the scattered post-it notes with different pieces of information scratched on them.
I never said my process was neat.
My ears need a break from my headphones, so I slip them off and set them on the counter. I could use a lap around the kitchen too, but the stiffness in my knees and hips cause me to slowly unfold to stand. I have to pause to stretch my muscles. I hadn’t realized how locked in I’d been, I guess I hadn’t changed positions in a while.
Then again, I was curled over the counter in the same posture as a hunchback goblin.
I pick up my phone while I down a gulp of water, switching it back on for notifications to come through. There’s one from Nicole, two in the group chat with the girls, and one other that causes my stomach to do a little flip.
Matteo Ford.
Communication with him has been interesting to say the least. I’ve found myself looking forward to his texts while he’s been on the road. They left last Monday and have been gone for over a week now.
He said he’d be gone for almost two weeks while they’re playing on the west coast, but to plan on going out with him to celebrate when he gets home.
Not for a date. Oh god, no, never a date.
I take another sip of my water, ignoring the pitter patter of my heart as I unlock my phone and open the message from him. A slow smile pulls on my lips as I read his words.
Matteo
Sunny, you’re on my mind again.
Jade
Sounds like a personal problem.
Matteo
Not so sure it’s a bad one, honestly.
I scored a nasty goal at the end of the third tonight.
My eyes flick to the time in the upper right corner of my phone. He’s on the west coast, three hours behind me right now. I hadn’t even realized it was already after two o’clock in the morning.
Jade
You’re welcome for that.