Page 87 of Betting on the Boy Next Door
“We love you too, bestie,” Ruby says. “That’s why we couldn’t let you perform without one of us there. We’ve been long overdue for a “Since U Been Gone”–level jam, and that’s what you do.”
She pulls me into a hug. “I’m sorry we didn’t give you enough time to get over Bryce. He wasn’t worth a single one of your tears, but that doesn’t mean we should have rushed you past the feels.”
“I know you were just trying to do what was best for me.”
Ava dogpiles us. There’s some sniffling and cooing before I free myself and sit up.
“I guess I don’t have to explain this all to Madi?”
“Nope,” Ava says. “Just send her a thank you text.”
“In that case, it’s time for me to go have another talk.”
Ruby claps her hands. “Can’t wait for my parking upgrade.”
I stand and shoot her a warning look. “We’re notthereyet. Pace yourself.”
She points me toward the door. “Sooner you get over there, the sooner I get my space. Byeeeeee.”
I ignore her and head up the stairs to my room, sending a text as I go.
Sorry, but I can’t meet you on the balcony.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Josh
Ican’tmeetyouon the balcony.
I reread the text. Is she kidding? I thought after that whole scene at the club that I’d gotten through to her. Yet here she is, blowing me off again.
That’s it, then.
A sinking feeling starts in my stomach just as my phone buzzes again.
Come down to your kitchen.
That wins a small laugh from me. She definitely knows how to push my buttons.
I walk into the kitchen to find her standing at the sliding door, shivering, and I hurry to unlock it. “It’s below forty out here.”
“Yeah,” she says with a slight chatter of her teeth despite the oversized sweatshirt she’s wearing. She’s ditched the mask and her hair is still pink but in a messy bun now instead of her two wild pigtails. “That’s why no balcony.”
“Fair.” I pull her into my arms to warm her up, but mainly because I want to feel her against me again. I keep her there until her shivering stops. “I’m glad you’re here.”
I can’t tell whether she’s nodding against my chest or cuddling in farther, but either way, I hold her closer.
After a couple of minutes, I feel her sigh followed by a mumbled, “Now I have to talk.”
“You sound like I’m about to start pulling out your nails with pliers. Is it that bad?”
She gives a small, snuffling laugh. “No. It’s just that the more I think about this, the dumber I feel for making you jump through so many hoops.”
“Hey,” I say, holding her away from me enough to meet her eyes. “That is absolutely valid, and you should.”
She swats at me, and I catch her hands, grinning. “I make my own choices. I wouldn’t have kept trying if I didn’t think you were worth it.”
A soft breath escapes her. “You ready for my drama?”
