Page 31 of Choose Me

She’s not wrong. I do love my brothers. I just wish they didn’t act like assholes. Though, in fairness, they don’t always act that way.

She winks at me. “It’s an incentive to find your own place.”

“Absolutely.” Sooner rather than later.

Astrid and I do a quick cleanup, load the dishwasher and wash the pots and pans. “I’m gonna hang out for a bit. You want to watch TV with us?”

I don’t. Maybe it’s childish, or cowardly, but I want time to decompress, and I need to do that away from my siblings, which means escaping to my room isn’t going to cut it. One of them will certainly come looking for me. “I don’t think so.”

Astrid smirks at me. “You headed to Jules’?”

The moment she says it, I know it’s what I want to do. Before I can overthink it, I pull out my phone. “Yeah. I am.”

She raises up on her toes and kisses my cheek. “I love you, Mus.”

“Love you too, Bean.” I hug her, and then she disappears into the living room. Without saying goodbye, I walk to the front door, pull on my coat and step into my boots, not bothering with the laces.

Me:You home?

Jules:Yeah. What’s up?

Me:Is it OK if I stop over?

I fish my keys out of my pocket and open the front door before my phone buzzes with a response.

Jules:Yes. ETA?

I jog across the driveway and climb into my truck.

Me:20 minutes

Jules:C u then

I throw the truck in reverse, backing out at a speed that’s probably not safe for a driveway. I roll up to the gate, cursing under my breath as it takes forever to open. The moment there’s enough of a gap for my truck, I step on the gas and drive toward Capitol Hill and the one person who makes everything better.

10

Jules

Astextconversationsgo,it isn’t exceptional. It’s six short lines, barely covering anything, and could be between almost anyone. Except it’s not from just anyone. It’s from Erik. And he’s coming here. To my apartment. Specifically, to see me. Alone.

Well, I assume it’s alone. Shit. What if it’s not?

Me:Just you?

I stare at the screen, waiting for a reply, and realize it may take a few minutes if he’s driving. That’s a few precious minutes I shouldn’t spend staring at my phone. I scan the living room for anything out of place, but it all looks fine. I cleaned my bedroom and bathroom yesterday, not that I’m planning for anything to happen in there, but a guy can dream.

My phone buzzes and I almost drop it.

Erik:Yeah. That ok?

Is he insane? Of course it’s okay!

Me:Absolutely

Erik:thumbs up emoji

With the apartment in good shape, that just leaves me. The old sweats and baggy long sleeve T-shirt I’m wearing are definitely not the sexiest things. Do I even have anything sexy to wear? Wait. I’m not trying for sexy, am I? I’d better stay in my lane and leave sexy to Stef.

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