Page 93 of Hooked
When was the last time you were this happy, Tayla?
She didn’t know.
Don’t you think it has something to do with Jeremy?
Great sex always made her happy though. It was great sex. The whole purpose of it was to make you happy.
It’s more than the sex.
Itwasmore than the sex.
It was definitely… more.
What would she do when it was time to leave? She was already suffering from headaches and withdrawal symptoms when she spent a few days away from him. It was becoming a serious problem. What was she going to do?
What willhedo?
What would Jeremy do? Jeremy would be fine. He was well-adjusted. He waswonderful. Once Tayla was gone, he’s probably find a real girlfriend. Someone who wanted marriage and babies and all that stuff.
Fuuuuuuck that.
She felt her jaw clench. Her fingernails bit into her palms. The unexpected surge of anger made her blink.What was happening to her?
Tayla shut off the water and listened for Jeremy in the bedroom. He was humming along to Pink, occasionally singing along, and he obviously knew the words.
“Of course he does,” she muttered. “He’s perfect.” He read feminist comics and had crazy, sexy muscles and ate ethically sourced beef products. “He probably knows all the dance moves to ‘Single Ladies’ too.”
“Tayla?”
She was mental. “Yeah?”
“I’m gonna go downstairs and start the coffee, okay?”
“Okay.” Suddenly Tayla didn’t want to leave the bathroom. If she didn’t leave the bathroom, maybe she wouldn’t have to confront the terrifying idea that she might just be falling stupid in love with Jeremy Allen.
She waited to hear the door shut before she poked her head back into the bedroom. Nothing looked different, but everything had changed. Jeremy had made the bed and folded her scarf neatly on the side table.
She could smell the coffee brewing downstairs. Could hear the low rumble of male voices. Pop was awake. Jeremy was probably cooking, making sure his grandfather took his medication, and mentally getting his day in order.
He would make a wonderful father.
What? Why had she even thought that?
She didn’t want children… probably! Her parents were nightmares, and she had no idea what to do with kids. Sure, she liked teenagers, but they didn’t give you a teenaged kid at the hospital. They gave you a little squirmy one that didn’t talk and pooped all the time. Did she know how to teach a baby how to poop in a toilet? Of course she didn’t. Her parents had probably hired someone to do that.
Why was she thinking about children? And pooping?
“Tayla?”
“I’m coming!” She paced around the bedroom, her heart starting to race. “I’ll just be a minute.” She paused in front of Jeremy’s dresser and opened the top drawer. It was a little messy, but he had his socks folded. And underwear. He even had a row of cotton handkerchiefs in the corner.
“Of course he does.” She slammed the drawer shut.
Jeremy would want children. When Jeremy Allen fell in love with someone, he would want to marry that someone and stay married and celebrate a golden anniversary or whatever prize you got when you stayed married for areally long time.
He would want the wedding and the house and camping trips and drink-your-milk-before-school and good grades, and he’d probably volunteer to be a soccer coach or something. He’d live his life, running his shop in Metlin and climbing mountains on weekends and raising a family and being a happy, contented, perfect grown-up.
That’s why you’re freaking out, Tayla. He’s not some shallow little boy you can play with and leave behind when you get bored.
