Page 35 of The Chad Next Door
Blondie: Good luck, Hou?
Blondie: That wasn’t supposed to be a question. *facepalm emoji*
The next batch of texts came in about half an hour ago, picking up right where they left off last week.
Half-pint: By the way, I was totally right about Chad!
Blondie: Nice job on winning the Series, Hou.
Texas: You only know I won because Jordan told you. What’s going on with you and Jordan, anyway?
Blondie: Nothi
Blondie: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Blondie: I didn’t mean to send that first text.
Blondie: Isn’t Jordan with you right now? He said he was helping you with something.
Half-pint: Houston, you’re not allowed to tell them they can’t date!
Texas: I never said that.
Texas: Are you guys dating?
Texas: BROOK
Half-pint: We’re getting off topic!
Blondie: YES. Wait, what topic were we on?
Half-pint: Chad and his woman!
I snort a laugh. “His woman, huh?”
Shrugging, he pulls me in tighter against him like he’s worried I might run away after reading that. “I take no responsibility for what they may do or say. For the record, Micah is inferring everything. I haven’t said anything about you other than we were caught in the storm together. She was worried I would be alone, and I assured her I am not.” With that, he nuzzles his nose into my hair and kisses my temple while I read the next few texts. I love the way his siblings interact with each other; they’re clearly close.
“I’m not sure if I should be offended or glad about your silence,” I mutter, handing his phone back.
“I’m not good at sharing.” Whether he means that in the sense of being open about telling his siblings things in general or in the sense of he doesn’t want to shareme, I’m not sure. Part of me hopes it’s the latter if only because it gives me a firmer idea of how he feels about me.
“Who is Jordan?” I ask, maybe a little too interested in the drama of Chad’s siblings. “Outside of the fact that he may or may not be dating Brooklyn, I mean.”
“Houston’s best friend.”
“Sounds like a recipe for disaster. And this Fischer guy that Brooklyn says Micah is crushing on?”
“He was at the lodge with her yesterday.”
“Sounds like everything went okay on that front. Is Houston dating anybody?”
He laughs, the sound deep and full. “Why are you so convinced I know everything about my siblings’ lives?” When I don’t say anything, he rolls his eyes. “No, he’s single, which is weird for him. And no, you’re not his type.”
I gasp. “Meaning what?”
“Meaning there’s no point in being interested. I told you; I don’t like sharing.”
Oh, he is good, and I reward him with a kiss that he returns with enthusiasm. He’s better at restraining himself tonight, which I both appreciate and hate, and I’m guessing a lot of that is because he’s tired. He’s had a big day, and he’s not as young as he used to be.
