Page 42 of Unpredictable

“This is a bad idea,” Tinsley mutters while staring out the window of the car.

“I disagree. I think his plan is pretty solid,” Keaton argues.

“Thank you,” I tell him before turning to Tinsley. “Look, I know I hurt you when I hurt her. You’re a good friend, T, but you know we’re better together than we are apart.”

“You did hurt me, and it wasn’t even me you said that shit to! I’ve always defended you, and it felt like you hit me when you said that stuff. It wasn’t right. I wouldn’t blame her for not taking you back.” She sighs. “But at the same time, I want her to. You guys are great together. She deserves a guy who will let her be her, and you deserve someone like her. And your kid is going to be stupid pretty.”

“Stupid pretty?” I tease.

“Ugh, you know what I mean! I hope it’s a girl,” she growls.

I smile. “I do too.”

“Wait, what? You want a girl? Why not a boy?” Keaton asks while turning in the passage seat, looking back at me.

“Yeah, what’s wrong with a boy?” Reed asks.

“Nah, I think a girl would be awesome. Have her look like V and have her smarts? Yeah, I could get behind that.”

“God,” Tinsley whines, “why must you say the right thing at the right time?”

“I guess it’s a good thing we know how to raise a girl then, huh?” Reed teases before looking over at Tinsley.

“I would say our experiment child Tinsley has done all right so far,” I joke back, causing us guys to laugh.

“I hate you all,” Tinsley deadpans.

A chorus of laughter rings out at her statement.

???

We knock on the door of Mr. and Mrs. Davenports’ vacation house. The door swings open and we’re instantly greeted by Mrs. Davenport.

“Kids, I’m so glad you made it!” she gushes while ushering us in.

We remove our coats and hang them on the hook next to the door before kicking off our shoes and moving further in.

“Thank you for letting me tag along at the last minute,” I tell her.

She could be your mother-in-law one day.

“Oh, Sterling, you’re always welcome in our home. It’s been too long since I’ve seen you. How is college treating you?” she asks after squeezing my shoulder.

“It’s been good, thank you for asking.”

Guess she didn’t notice all the time I spent in her daughter’s bed.

“Ah, the Yates and Brooks. Thanks for joining us,” Mr. Davenport greets us once we walk into the kitchen.

“Mr. Davenport, good to see you.” I offer him my hand.

He shakes it. “You too, Brooks. It’s been a while.”

Before I can respond, an angry feminine voice hits me. “What the fuck are you doing here?” Sage demands.

“Sage!” both Mr. and Mrs. Davenport chastise her.

“It’s all right.” I wave away her comment before looking her in the eyes. “This is where I want to be, so I asked.”

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