Page 49 of That Rush

My empty cabin declines to argue.

I return to the living room, pick up my book, and make it through half a page before pale light washes across the wall.

An engine slows on the gravel road. Headlights sweep across my front windows and turn into my drive.

Chapter 7

Aiden

Josie catches me changing my shirt for the second time and immediately announces it to my parents.

“Daddy already had clothes on,” she says as I walk into the kitchen. “Then he took them off and put on different clothes. Twice.”

Dad looks up from the table. “Wardrobe trouble?”

“The first shirt had a stain.”

Josie shakes her head. “It did not.”

“The second one didn’t fit right.”

“It fit like a shirt.”

Dad’s mouth twitches. “Good thing she’s here to keep the story honest.”

I’m wearing dark jeans and a charcoal button-down with the sleeves rolled to my forearms. My only defense is that Paige had dismantled every plan I’d made for tonight before she’d even agreed to the date.

Mom seals Josie’s unicorn pajamas inside her overnight bag. “Do you have everything?”

“My toothbrush, Sprinkle, and my reading book.”

“Did you pack underwear?”

Josie gasps and runs toward the hallway.

Dad waits until she disappears before looking at me. “You arranged an overnight visit for a date that doesn’t exist yet.”

“I asked if Josie wanted to stay. She did.”

“And if Paige says no?”

“I come home.”

The paper bag waiting beside my keys holds vegetable lasagna, garlic bread, salad, and two chocolate cookies. I bought dinner because inviting Paige to a meal and expecting her to prepare it would prove I’ve learned nothing.

My copy of her romance novel rests beside the bag, an index card marking chapter twenty-two. I’ve read enough to confirm the fictional man talks too much and gets rewarded anyway. I’m bringing it as evidence for the argument I plan to start.

Dad nods toward it. “Should I ask?”

“No.”

“Is it dirty?”

“Yes.”

Mom gives him a look.

“What? The cover is obvious.”