Page 11 of Enemies to Lovers

We each have our go-to reality shows. To avoid arguments, Hunter suggested we bet on who is going to win the episode or season. Whoever picks the winner picks the next show we watch.

Last week was Sammie’s turn, and we watched a few episodes of Survivor. If the person we picked wasn’t voted out, then we remained in the pool. Ransom and Hunter were the only ones who made it out of the binge with their contestants in the running, so they settled it over a leg wrestle. Ransom threw his back out, but said it was worth it just to see Hunter’s ass fly across the room.

“I’m betting on the big, bearded guy,” Paxton calls out. He’s not my biological brother, but he may as well be. He and Hunter play similar roles in all our lives.

Sammie slugs him in the shoulder. “No betting until everyone’s here.”

He stuffs a handful of popcorn into his mouth and talks around the kernels. “The big, bearded guyalwayswins. I’m sticking with it.”

“Not if I beat you to it.”

He tickles her, and they bump into me and Hershey. Emerson growls from the floor. “Knock it off!”

Sammie sticks her tongue out at Paxton, and it reminds me of Val from last night in an instant. Ihadher on that slide puzzle, but she played dirty with that last move.

The rest of the crew piles in a few minutes later—Hunter and his girlfriend, Hazel, followed by Joy. Evan and Oakley aren’t joining us today; they aren’t regulars like Paxton and Joy. Hazel’s a brand-new edition because my brother fell head over heels for her. She’s wriggled her way into all our hearts, though, and when she settles in front of me on the floor, I don’t shy away from the proximity.

Ransom enters last, his nose raw from being sick. We make him sit as far away as possible from the rest of us, even though he promised he was over the worst of it.

“All right,” I announce, grabbing my notebook. It’s beaten to hell; I’ll need a new one soon. “Sammie, you’re up first.” Being the most organized in my family—I’d argue theonlyorganized one—I keep track of all the bets. Since Sammie was out first last week, she gets first pick.

Sammie turns her head to Paxton and announces proudly, “I choose Grant.”

Paxton drops his jaw in mock shock. “Don’t you dare.”

“Oh, I dare.” She dances, moving the whole couch as I put the bearded guy’s name next to hers on my sheet. I go around and take the bets from the rest of the family.

We’re halfway through episode three when Joy pipes up from the Lazyboy, “Oh, did you tell everyone about the internship, Miles?”

Lots of eyes swivel my direction. “Uh… not yet.”

“Wait, the one with Dr. What’s His Name?” Emerson asks, her fingers halfway through braiding Hazel’s blonde hair.

“Goff. Yeah.” I shift on the couch, my leg numb from the weight of my dog. “It’s down to two people . I’m one of them.”

“That’s awesome.” Hunter reaches over and pats my shoulder. The pride in his eyes can’t be hidden. He gives that look often, but I never tire of it. “When do you find out?”

“Next semester, I’m guessing. Dr. Goff will be watching me work during classes.”

“Do you know who the other person is?” Sammie asks innocently, and since I can’t hide anything from my siblings—or anyone—she instantly recoils from my grimace. “I take that as a yes.”

“It’s Val Johnson.” Joy pops some popcorn into her mouth. “We chatted about it last night.”

“You talked to Val?” Ransom croaks from his isolated spot on the floor.

“Apparently, I work with her brother.” Joy lifts a shoulder. “They were both at the party last night.”

“Shit, I wanted to see her. Been forever, and Miles still won’t shut up about her.” Ransom pouts and tosses his throw blanket over his head with a loud sniffle. “Stupid flu.”

I’d hit him, but he’s too far from my reach.

“Is she still super cute?” Sammie asks. Sammie hasn’t seen Val since I graduated, but we went to the same school for one year. Val was Senior Class President, so her picture was up in the main hall.

Joy grins and meets my gaze. “I don’t know, Miles. Is she still super cute?”

I jerk back, my brow furrowing. “What?”

Joy laughs and crunches on another piece of popcorn. “You know she’s totally into you, right?”

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