Page 38 of Better Not Pout
Why am I suddenly nervous at the prospect of sharing a bed with Wells? Imagining his broad body tucked in next to me makes my heart race.
Would he wear pajamas, or is he the sleep-in-underwear-only kind of guy? Or maybe… he sleeps in nothingat all.
I was so busy getting ready to leave Sweet Sullivan’s for three days, prepping things for Gramps and Grams to keep the cases stocked, that I didn’t even really have the chance to think of something like sleeping arrangements.
“You okay with sharing, Sugar?” he murmurs, setting our bags on the small table near the fireplace, an entirely too pleased grin on his face.
Stupid racing heart, at it again. I play it off with a joke instead of admitting that the thought of sharing a bed with him is making my head swim. “Guess this is probably a good time to tell you that I snore? And I have horrible morning breath. Sorry in advance.”
He smirks, lifting his shoulder in a shrug as he closes the distance between us. “Good thing you brought a toothbrush, and I sleep like the dead.”
This man. He’s got an answer for everything.
“Whatever, but don’t say that I didn’t warn you,” I retort cheekily. Keeping my eyes on his, I walk over to the bed and lift myself onto the edge of the mattress, my feet dangling. “Ally just told me that she was going to get ready for tonight and that she couldn’t wear a dress… so wanna tell me what’s up next?”
His eyes shine with amusement, and he laughs, raking a hand through his tousled hair. “Tonight, we’re going to do something… fun. You trust me?”
Even as I say it, something tells me that I’m going to regret it.
“Yes, but do not make me regret it, Wells. Or you’re going to be on the floor tonight, and I’ll be the one in this big, fluffy bed.”
fourteen
. . .
Wells
Only One Snow Tube
“You have gotto be kidding me, Wells McCoy,” Rosalie whispers in horror as she stares at the scene in front of us. “You saidfun. You did not say anything about physical torture!”
I laugh. “Is snow tubing considered torture now? Guess I missed that somewhere.”
“I am the most unathletic, uncoordinated personever! I make candy all day, Wells. Inside a cute little building, wearing my adorable little apron, making my yummy little sweet treats. Sorry, but there’s no way this is happening.”
When she gestures in front of her at the row of snow tubes, her bottom lip pokes out in a cute pout, and my smirk deepens.
Yeah, maybe I should’ve been a tad more forthcoming about what it is that we’re doing, but I had a feeling that a friendly snow tube race between my siblings was not something she’d be excited for. It’s just for fun, something we’ve done every yearsince we were kids. My parents usually spend the first night having a sleepover with Frankie and the kids, so that means that all of the adults are off the hook for a while.
Tradition.
This year, a new part of our tradition is including Rosalie and Penny. Penny girl was all too happy to go with my parents and the kids tonight because that meant endless cuddles and treats, but Franklin, on the other hand…
Wouldn’t even look at me when my mom carted him off like the prince he thinks he is.
He always does this thing where the moment he gets annoyed at me, he turns his nose up at me, refusing to look my way. Temperamental dog, I swear.
“And that’s why you’re going to do it with me, Sugar.” I flop down onto the tube and pat the front of my thighs. “Now, sit your cute ass in my lap on this snow tube and let’s go.”
“Wells…” she starts, eyes flicking back to my siblings as they take their spots.
“It’s just for fun, Rosalie. Although I’m not sure you know this about me yet, but I’m a tad bit… competitive.” I hook the toe of my boot around her calf and gently haul her toward me, biting back a laugh as her arms shoot out and she starts to flail, losing her footing and falling directly into my lap with an oomph. Her palms curl around my thighs as she settles back against me and shakes her head exasperatedly. Bringing my lips to her ear, I let them brush along the shell. “That means I need you to put your game face on. We can’t let them win.”
If I could see her face in the dim glow of the setting sun, I’m sure I’d see those sexy little lips pursed into a pout. The one I like too fucking much.
As much as I like the sweet Rosalie, I like the sassy, take-no-shit Rosalie even more. It’s what drew me to her in the firstplace. It’s the reason I rile her up every chance I get, and I think she secretly likes it just as much.
After a beat of silence, she grumbles, “Fine. But don’t blame it on me when we don’t win. I did try to warn you.”
