Page 7 of Complete Me
“What’s that supposed to mean, Kinsey?” Sawyer asks. His eyebrows are pinched, and I know he’s dead serious, even though I’m trying like hell to laugh all of this ridiculousness off before I go absolutely insane.
“You heard me. I’ve just entered my dating era, so I hope you’re ready.”
“Kins—”
“Nope!” I cut him off. “Don’t make me call Ivy, because I will. Give me space or I’ll leave and go somewhere you don’t have power over me anymore.”
Sawyer and Dallas—the twins—stand by the door looking so similar as their faces fall in unison, immediately making me feel guilty. I know they only act this way out of fear of something happening to me. It’s especially over the top lately, and I try to understand where they’re coming from. After all, they’ve both experienced trauma over the last year with the events that took place with Ivy and Blaire. My heart clenches at the thought of what each of them went through.
But I’m not them. This is Aspen Ridge, my home, and I’m not going to let fear hold me back. I just hope I can find my people, who want to fight for me and love me for me.
Later that night, after I’ve grabbed my favorite pizza from North Pass Market and Deli, I sit on my new-to-me little couch, and video call my best friend, Piper. We met at the University of Washington, were roommates for four years, and became inseparable. She even spent an entire summer break with me here in Aspen Ridge. After we graduated, Piper got accepted to medical school on the other side of the country. Living apart this last year has sucked, but we video chat constantly despite the time difference.
My best friend’s glowing face appears as she connects the call just in time to watch me take my first bite of warm, delicious pizza.
“Hey, my girl! Ugh. Is that North Pass pizza?”
“Mhm,” I mumble through a mouth full of food.
“Barbeque chicken?” she says with a desperate whine, knowing the answer already since it’s my favorite.
I swallow the bite and smile brightly at her. “You know it is. Mouthwatering perfection.”
“I hate your face.”
“Rude,” I say, stuffing another bite in my mouth with a moan.
“Ugh. I still haven’t found a place here that comes close to as good as that damn pie. I’m jealous.”
“As you should be. You could be here with me, eating pizza and binging trashy reality TV. Instead, you’re in Maryland, becoming some hotshot pediatric surgeon.”
“Well, that’s the end goal at least. Thanks for the support.”
“Oh, shut it, you know I’m your biggest fan.”
“I know. I wouldn’t have survived my first year here if it weren’t for you telling me to keep going. Now, tell me about what it’s like to spend your first night in your own freaking place?”
“Mhmm!” I mumble over a mouthful of food. I wipe my mouth with my napkin before talking. “All settled. Not like I had much to unpack, but I love it. It’s obviously only been a few hours, but for the first time in my life, I have no parents. No big brothers. Silence. I’m going to love living here. Today is the first day of my new life!”
“You deserve it, boo-boo. Now, my real question: what’s it like living above that sexy beast of a tattoo artist?”
“Reid?”
“Do we know any other sexy man-beast tattoo artists? Because if another one was hired, I may consider a transfer.”
I laugh at her. Not to toss them all into the same box, but Piper is no different than the majority of the other women who live here or who’ve visited Aspen Ridge. One look at the quiet, brooding Reid Knight and they’re tossing their panties at him. I’m not immune, I know he’s gorgeous, but he’s best friends with my oldest brother, Sawyer, and close to the other three. I’m not interested, unlike the rest of the population. He can be just as overbearing as they can, and that’s the last thing I need in my life.
“I’ve only been here for a few hours, P. It’s not like I’ve had time to find out if I can even hear him downstairs or not.”
“Hmm. Whatever. I guess you’re right. I thought you’d have more juicy details for me.”
I pick up another slice, holding it up in front of the camera like a showcase model onThe Price is Right.
“You’re the worst.”
“Yeah, yeah. But you’re stuck with me, so bite me.” A doorslams in the background, and Piper rolls her eyes, signaling her roommate’s arrival.
“You could be here,” I whisper.
