Page 54 of Trust Me Always

“Well, is he?” she presses.

I push off the counter, smiling at her. “I’m not telling.” Because I don’t know.

Well, I mean I do. I’ve seen him in his boxers a good hundred times, not to mention he’s not one of those guys who wears underwear under swim trunks.

The chilly ocean water never played as the witch, casting any disappearing spells. No, his wand was forever present, not that I would sit and stare, but girls notice these things. But I haven’t actually seen the size of the stalk—only the outline of the bean before it’s watered.

“Look at you, picturing his pecker while standing in a child care center. You should be ashamed.”

I gape, and Granny Grace smiles. “Now shoo. Junie is all alone back there. No more of thisneeding a napnonsense. You’ve got two hours left, girl. Suck it up.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I smile, pushing through the double doors again and stepping through to the other side.

Thankfully the next couple hours go by quickly, and I’m out the door.

I check in on Deaton on the way home, Ari telling me she’s still with them and Payton’s home now too. Apparently, they’re all going to have dinner and stare at him for a while.

Back in my dorm room, I’m only just plopping onto my ass, Cup Noodles in one hand, remote in the other, when my phone dings on the coffee table.

Brady’s name is on the screen. I open the message.

Brady: help.

I scoff, typing away.

Me: I’m gonna need a little more context, my dude.

Brady: Mean. Thought you’d do anything for me?

Me: I have uneaten food in my hand.

Brady: Shit. Okay, but what if I promise to buy you real food cause we both know you’re eatin something from the microwave.

Brady: Don’t make me mention it is, in fact, your girlfriend duty to be there when I need you.

I smile, shaking my head.

Me: You had me at real food. What’s up?

The three dots pop up, and I wait for his next message, but his location comes through instead.

I frown. “What the hell do you need help with at 7-Eleven?”

I look at the time. It’s only four.

Me: Do you need a gas can or something? Cause I have to tell you, my no car having ass is fresh out.

I wait a minute, but he doesn’t respond, so I stare longingly at my spicy shrimp noodles and then groan. “Okay, fine!”

I look at myself in the mirror and cock my head. I’ve already changed from my jeans and the top I was wearing, now in a sports bra and an oversized T-shirt so big you can’t even see the spandex shorts I have on underneath. I’m wearing thick, scrunchy Avix U socks up to my damn knees and apair of Minnie Mouse Crocs Payton brought back for me from Disneyland last year.

“Ah, fuck it.” I throw on some sunglasses and walk out the door. “Call me Rescue Ranger.”

Brady

Sweet mother of baby Jesus, what in the actual all hell did I get myself into?

I swiftly flick the lock on the bathroom door, dropping my head against it.

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