Page 65 of Capture the Moment
I rub my eyes as I slide open the notification from Blake and sit up as I read over the words. “Wat E…R oui? Likebaguette? Oui? Is he trying to say we?” I mumble, sliding over to check the send time.
1:42 a.m.
What the fuck is this?Come on, Jones, wake up! Read Lover Boy's message correctly.
What…er…Are? Are! We?
“WHAT ARE WE?!” I drop the phone flat on Jace’s face and cringe as hegroans.
“What the fuck, CJ?”
“What the fuck is this?! Read it.” I shove the brightly lit device in my best friend’s face. Jace blinks once then twice too fast before shooting up in his spot, looking over at me with wide eyes.
“Let’s go.” His tone is stern as he looks me square in the eyes. I tilt my head at the green-eyed boy because what does he mean bygo? Did Georgia make good on her threat last night and beat his head in?
“Go?Go where?”
“To my place, dumbass. If Wilder sent this stupid ass message, I’m gonna let him know that no one messes with my best friend butme.”
I scoff at his ridiculousness and snatch my phone away. “He probably meant to send that to someone else…” I trail off and try to ignore the pain in my chest at thethoughtof the message being for anyone but me.
“Well, he’s going to learn how to fucking read before he hits send today.”
When I was 16 years old, I got my first and only car. Jace drove it around for me even though he was only 15. We’d carpool to school and pretty much anywhere until he got his own car. Georgia would usually ride with us or drive herself since she liked to be “fashionably late” to things. Sienna would sometimes ride with us too, but nothing ever compared to the rides I went on with him because of all the people in the world, he always treated me like a princess.
He treated Georgia and Sienna that way too, don’t get me wrong. Mrs. Heart raised her boys the right way! But it’s something about your best friend treating you how you deserve that just melts the heart.
After stopping at Dunkin’ because “you can’t confront hungover men on an empty stomach”, (wise words from Jace Heart), we head over to the boys’ townhouse. Jace stays in my car, insisting he had “things to handle” and left me to my own vices.
So now, I stand by myself dressed in a lilac donut print pajama set with a strawberry sprinkled donut in my hand, standing on the porch of the boy that I kissed last night.
Should I be here?Is confronting Blake andpotentiallygetting together with him truly the best idea? I mean it’s a good idea for the girl downstairs but what about the one in my heart and head?
I lift my fist, hyping myself up to knock on the black Roman-styled front door when it swings open just before my knuckles can graze it. My eyes shut off instinct because if Blake is standing in front of me, I’ll be more than freaking embarrassed.
I’ll be petrified.
I should’ve put on real pants before this…
A low whistle followed by a deep low chuckle startles me, I peel an eye open and visibly deflate at the sight of Braxton and Alec. Alec looks like a sporty deer caught in headlights as he stands in the doorway, hand still on the knob dressed in gray athletic shorts, a navy SFU Tiger’s hoodie, and a black Nike sport headband. He smiles lightly at me about to speak only to be cut off by Brax. The latter is dressed almost identically, only instead of wearing shorts, he has on gray sweatpants.
“Morning run?” I ask and cringe as my voice comes out shakily.
“Something like that, Princess Cleo. Are you heading in or coming out…?” the dark-skinned male asks, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips.
My cheeks heat up at the implication and I’m about to deny all allegations of being at the boys’ place the night before when a loud voice calls out from the house.
“Are y’all going to eat breakfast or am I just wasting—Oh! Hey CJ, are you eating breakfast here too?” Derek’s breathy voice is cheerful as he strides up to the front door, his face decorated with flour and a smile.
It isn’t until Derek is standing next to Braxton that I realize he’s wearing a pink apron with ‘Mother Knows Best’ written on it. I stifle my laughter as his eyes light up.
“Oh, no… I’muh… is Blake here?” I cut to the chase, my nerves are jumpy and I need to get this over with.
Ihaveto know what Blake meant by that text.
“Yeah, he’s uh—”
I don’t give Alec the time to finish his sentence as I push past the three lumberjack males and make my way to Blake’s bedroom at the end of the hall.
